NEW SCOTLAND — In a re-run of the clerk’s race in 2021, incumbent Democrat Lisa Williams is being challenged by Lori Dollard on the GOP line.

Williams also has the Working Families Party line and Dollard, who is enrolled as a Conservative, has the New Scotland Together line.

The town clerk has myriad duties serving as a recording secretary, filing officer, elections coordinator, and managing records as well as dispensing licenses for dog owners, hunters, games of chance, and marriages.

Dollard

When Dollard made her first run for office in 2021, she said it was a great opportunity to work in her own community, helping her friends and neighbors “when they come through that door or call me on the phone or email.”

She saw it as a unique opportunity and a challenge, pointing out that only about 1 percent of people ever run for office. 

Dollard said this week that she is running again “because I was asked and, having only lost by 25 votes in 2021, I felt I had to give it another try!”

She went on, in an email answering Enterprise questions, “Additionally, I love our town and love working with people in an environment that brings varied challenges and interactions on a daily basis. Residing in the town for more than 22 years and my varied work experiences in education, government and healthcare have prepared me for this role.”

Dollard got her two-year degree at Broome Community College and then her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Utica. She and her husband, Brian, have four adult children.

If elected, Dollard said, “I hope to become an excellent town employee, a valuable town resource for all New Scotland’s residents and to give full and friendly service to each person who walks in the door.”

Williams

Williams was appointed clerk in December 2020 and won her first two-year term in 2021.

Her favorite part of the job, she said this week, is “meeting the residents and learning more and more about the town and the history of its hamlets.”

She has lived in town since 2007. She and her wife, Anne Mellody, live in Clarksville. She has a bachelor’s degree from Empire State College in human services and previously worked at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Williams also said, “I love to help in the senior program.” She works with Deb Engel, New Scotland’s senior liaison, and, among other things, dispenses walkers, shower chairs, crutches, and wheelchairs to seniors who need them.

She has handed out over 50 marriage licenses this year as well as some of the new one-day marriage-officiant licenses.

The hardest part of her job, Williams said, is “getting the word out so people know when meetings are and what services we offer.” Not everyone, she says, reads The Enterprise or is “on a computer.”

“I’m asking myself constantly what more I can do,” said Williams. “I want people to reach out to me.”