Barone challenges Democratic incumbent Deschenes

NEW SCOTLAND – Penny Barone is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her Aunt Lyn Holmberg. Barone, a Republican, is challenging Diane Deschenes, a Democratic incumbent, for town clerk.

When Barone was asked to run by the Republican Party, she thought of her aunt, Marilyn Holmberg, who was the town’s tax collector for more than 14 years, she said.
"I really admired her," Barone said, adding that the two used to talk about Holmberg’s service to the community.
Because the town clerk is now responsible for tax collecting, Barone said, if elected, she would be "following in her footsteps."

A lifelong area resident, Barone has lived in the town of New Scotland for about six years, she said. She is married with four children.
"My family is very supportive," she said, adding that she is new to the political arena. "I thought it would be a good idea to try it," she said.

If elected, Barone hopes to make Town Hall a friendly place where residents can come in and see the different services provided by the town.

Barone graduated from Bethlehem Central High School, and has over 30 years of customer-service experience, she said. She managed an independent business for 10 years, and worked for a retail corporation for 10 years, she said. She currently works as a medical receptionist.
"I have a lot of business experience and computer experience," said Barone.
As a mother of four who works full time, said Barone, "I would love to have Town Hall open one evening per week."

If she is elected, she said, that is what she would do, suggesting opening Town Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. one evening a week. Having that accessibility, she said, would allow the working public time to go home after work and have dinner before heading to Town Hall for a dog license or whatever was needed, without having to take time off from work.
Barone considers herself a "very people-friendly person," she said. "I want people to have a friendlier, more accessible Town Hall," she said.
"The town clerk is really the direct link between all residents and the local government," said Barone. The clerk must also keep everything in order, she said. "I’m a very organized person.
"It’s basically time for a change," she said, adding that, in the last couple of elections, no one has challenged Deschenes.
New ideas and new faces, she said, are "uplifting for the whole community."
Her campaign slogan, "pardon the pun," she said, is "Vote Penny, Time for Change."