DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOCUS ON KEEPING ANCRAM MOVING FORWARD

 

The Ancram Democratic Committee is delighted to introduce our Democratic slate of candidates for the upcoming election. 

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“We couldn’t be more excited about our candidates!” says Ancram Democratic Committee Chair Mary Murfitt.  “They all share a deep love of Ancram and believe that local government works best when it focuses on real problems, explains its decisions clearly and listens respectfully to the people it serves.”

 

Current Supervisor Colleen Lutz is a lifelong resident of the area. She brings firsthand knowledge of the community and hands-on experience in local government.  Colleen says she “is focused on making town government more efficient, transparent and responsive, while bringing an independent-minded, collaborative approach to solving local problems.  For instance, I am currently exploring a regional rideshare concept with Copake and Hillsdale as one way neighboring towns can work to better serve residents.”

 

Joe Brown believes in fact-based thinking and common-sense problem solving. “I love Ancram and I’m committed to making it a safe, beautiful, and forward-thinking place for my daughter to grow up and thrive.”  Joe is particularly focused on protecting Ancram’s rural character—“Growth should fit the town—not change what makes it special. There should be clear, consistent standards for development that protect Ancram’s farms, landscape, water and quality of life. That includes keeping data centers out of Ancram.”

 

Town Justice Cathy Redlich is running unopposed for her third 4-year term. Town courts have broad jurisdiction over a wide range of matters, from serious criminal matters to civil disputes to traffic violations.  Cathy points out that although judges are required to run on a party line, “partisan politics play no role in carrying out my judicial responsibilities. Both my co-judge, Suzan Flamm, and I have worked to ensure that all who appear before us feel fairly treated, recognized, and heard. If elected, I plan to continue the progress we have made in making the Ancram court professional and accessible, and to put my decades of legal experience as an attorney to good use in the fair administration of justice.”

 

Town Justice Suzan Flamm is also running unopposed. “It has been an honor to serve as one of Ancram’s judges for the last four years.” Suzan is running for a second term and shares that she is doing so in order to “continue to use my legal experience, gained over 35 years as a practicing attorney, on behalf of the town.  If elected, I will do my best to ensure that all legal rights are protected in our court and that parties and counsel are treated fairly and with respect, whether new to courtroom proceedings or very experienced.”

 

“With candidates like these,” says Murfitt, “It’s no wonder we’re excited about the positive impact they will have on Ancram’s future when elected!”