CLAVERACK—Voters in the Town of Claverack have choices to make in three local town-wide races this Election Day.
Incumbent Republican Clifford “Kippy” Weigelt faces off against Democrat Kathleen Proper for the town supervisor seat.
Democrat Nat Drake challenges incumbent Republican Mary Jeanne Hoose for town clerk/ tax collector post.
In the contest for two available seats on the Town Board, Brian C. Yorck and Brenda Shufelt are running on the Democratic and Working Families party lines, while Stephen “Hookie” Hook and Douglas J. Colwell are candidates on the Republican and Conservative party lines.
Incumbent Town Highway Superintendent Louis C. LaMont, Jr. is unopposed in his bid for another term. All town positions are four-year terms.
Following are profiles of the town supervisor candidates based on questionnaires they completed for The Columbia Paper.
Kathleen Proper
Democrat Kathleen Proper, 40, of Claverack is in the running for a first term as town supervisor. She is endorsed by her own party and the Working Families Party.
She is chief human resources officer at Canna Provisions in Lee, MA, and holds an MBA degree from UAlbany.
She is a member of the town’s Climate Smart Committee and past president of Kinderhook Runners Club.
She and her husband, Clint, live with their three rescue dogs.
In her statement of issues, Ms. Proper said, “I’m running for town supervisor to make Claverack a place that works for all residents, not just some. I will work with our leaders in Albany and Washington to access the resources we need to move Claverack forward.
“I have the leadership experience and vision to bring smart economic development, housing for our essential workers, and zoning and climate smart policies that preserve our rural character and charm while reducing our utility bills and impact on the environment. I will run an open and transparent government and I look forward to working for and with the residents of Claverack.”
Learn more about the candidate at: properforclaverack.com.
Clifford “Kippy” Weigelt
Republican Clifford “Kippy” Weigelt, 69, has served as town supervisor since January 2014. He carries endorsements from the GOP as well as the Conservative party.
Prior to his election to the supervisor post in November 2013, he served as a Claverack Town Councilman since 2003.
He is a life-member of the Philmont Gun Club and the Second Reformed Church of Claverack.
Born in Hudson, Mr. Weigelt finished high school and then went to work for his father at the family business “where I learned the ins and outs of business management, the value of good work ethic, the importance of budgeting and finance management, and perhaps most importantly how to treat customers and employees with respect.”
He is the owner of a small business, Gromax, in Claverack.
He and his wife, Debbie live on Swiss Farms Road. They have five grown children—three daughters and two sons.
In his statement of issues, Mr. Weigelt said, “We’ve accomplished a lot in recent years; five straight years of tax cuts, strong budget and financial oversight, infrastructure improvements, equipment upgrades for the Town Highway Department, shared services with the surrounding municipalities, improvements at the town parks, developed a new employee handbook for town employees, installed a new time clock system, upgraded security features at town properties, consolidated operations, the list goes on and on. But the one thing that I am perhaps most proud of, is the fact that we have begun to work on a new, much needed, Town Hall and community center. Claverack is working!”
Learn more about the candidate at: www.ClaverackIsWorking.com
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
