On Nov. 6, residents will see whether 2008 will continue the trend of Republican victories in Town of Poughkeepsie politics. There have been few surprises in the races for the Poughkeepsie Town Board’s six wards in recent elections, as voters have favored incumbents. Republicans have held control since 2001, though voters put a Democrat at the helm in 2005 – Supervisor Patricia Myers.
Myers is hoping to fend off a challenge from Republican John Weisman, chair of the town planning board, this year. Both candidates have cited lower taxes as a priority. Myers has said she had delivered on her campaign promises from two years ago by minimizing tax increases, improving town parks and recreational programs and making other positive changes. Weisman has called for improving customer service at Town Hall.
Republicans on the Poughkeepsie Town Board are looking to hold on to a 5-2 majority. Five Republicans and one Democrat, George Finn Jr. (3rd Ward), are seeking reelection as ward representatives.
Myers and the councilmen cited completion of a town master plan for development as a priority when they took office two years ago.
Although there were a few loose ends yet to tie up, they can now check that goal off the list: The master plan was approved in September, incorporating town centers and open space into development planning. Its passage ended a moratorium on large residential development that had been repeatedly extended, as deadlines for the master plan and accompanying zoning codes were pushed back.
If the GOP keeps control of the Town Board, it will mark the fourth election cycle they have done so. Democrats took control briefly in 1999 following corruption charges and a criminal sentence against town and county Republican committee chairman William Paroli Sr. But voters returned the GOP to power in 2001 with the election of former Town Supervisor Joe Davis and a Republican board.
Town candidates
Supervisor
*Patricia Myers (D, C)
John Weisman (R,I)
Justice
*Paul Banner (R,I,C)
*Paul Sullivan (R,I,C)
David Sears (D,I,WF)
Dick Wolf (D,I,WF)
Ward 1:
*Jon Baisley (R,I,C)
Ward 2:
*Dominic Seminara (R,I,C)
Herbert Stoller (D)
Ward 3:
*George Finn Jr. (D,C)
Joseph Conte (R,I)
Ward 4:
*Michael Cifone (R,I)
Virginia Buechele (D,C)
Ward 5:
*Stephan Krakower (R,I,C)
Will Cass (D)
Ward 6:
*Todd Tancredi (R,I)
(*= incumbent)