By Marlene McTigue
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA — Ravena village elections are taking place today, March 19, from noon to 9 p.m. Only two candidates will be on the ballot for the two open seats.
For the Democrats, Nancy Warner, the village’s deputy mayor, is running for re-election, and Sandy DeBacco, the town of Coeymans’ code enforcement officer, is running for his first term in office. Both candidates are also running on the Ravena Proud line.
Village Trustee Joseph Ganley opted not to run for a second term.
There are no Republican candidates running, according to interim chair of the Coeymans Republican Committee, Pat Cronin. Cronin said due to a variety of logistical issues with the outgoing committee, the party was not ready to put forth any candidates.
Cronin is a current member of the Town of Coeymans Planning Board and the current director of operations for the Republicans for Albany County.
Warner and DeBacco responded to a questionnaire about their candidacy. Here are their responses in their own words, in alphabetical order.
SANTE “SANDY” DEBACCO
My name is Sante DeBacco (first name is pronounced “Sahn-tay”). However, I go by the first name of “Sandy.” I am a lifelong resident of the Ravena-Coeymans area. My grandparents were first generation Italian-Americans who settled in the Ravena-Coeymans area in the early part of the 20th century. I am a 1977 graduate of Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central High School, where I was a member of the National Honor Society for three years. I grew up on Powell Hill Road in the town of Coeymans, but I have been a resident of the village of Ravena since 1990, where my wife and I worked to raise our family, and where I worked to serve the community as a public servant.
I am a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, class of 1982, with a Bachelor’s degree in math-physical sciences.
In 1983, I was hired as a firefighter at the Albany International Airport, and that was my full-time career until I retired in 2021 with 38 years of service. During the early portion of my firefighting career, I earned an Associates degree in fire protection technology from Corning Community College.
I am a proud and longstanding member of the Ravena Hose Company, which besides my family, has been the highlight of my life. I joined the Hose Company in 1978, and I have been an active member since. I still actively respond to calls and participate in other Hose Company functions.
I have worked for the Village of Ravena Building Department as a building inspector/code enforcement official for 26 years, from 1994 to 2020.
I have also worked for the Town of Coeymans Building Department as a code enforcement official since 1995, where I am currently employed.
I have been a volunteer active member of the Ravena Rescue Squad for many years, and I currently assist with covering shifts on occasion as an EMT/driver.
I have much knowledge about the village of Ravena, through my employment with the Building Department and through my membership in the Ravena Hose Company.
Because of my long tenure as a public servant, I feel as though I have much to offer as a village trustee to the citizens of the village.
I am a fair and honest person, and I am looking forward to working with the other Village Board members, as well as the citizens of the Village, for the betterment of the village of Ravena. Being on the village board will be a new endeavor for me, and I ask the citizens to give me a chance to serve on the board.
NANCY WARNER
I have been a trustee since 2012, this will be my fourth term. Prior to that I was deputy clerk-treasurer for the village for 25 years.
I decided to run again because we have many great unfinished projects that we started together and I would like to see them through… but mostly because I LOVE this village!
Challenges as a Trustee: That residents/people do not understand that we are not magic miracle workers. Just because we want something done doesn’t mean it can happen overnight or at all. There are rules, restrictions, obstacles that we have to consider. This bothers me because, if you know me, I am a people pleaser and once I set my eyes on a goal I work hard until it is complete.
Also, the lack of communication between the village and other government entities. Many times we are considered the “ugly stepchild” of Albany County and many times it is forgotten that the village is indeed a major part of our town (I am optimistic this is changing).
Accomplishments: Being a part of a team that secured millions of dollars in grants, not only for the village but Henry Traver and I spearheaded a huge grant to get new water mains financed on Main Street, Coeymans, when New York state completed their road project there.
In the past decade we, as a team, have secured nearly $10 million worth of grants for improvements, at no cost or very little cost to the residents.
I am proud that we have long-term employees who feel we are a family and that they are dedicated and can accomplish so much for our village.
Importantly, I am proud that once elected, all board members, including the mayor, put aside politics and work as one unit for the betterment of the village residents.
Our park, our pool, our water filtration plant and our municipal building have seen many improvements while we worked together.
And the most visible accomplishment is working diligently with a myriad of entities to take care of our few abandoned, dilapidated buildings. This takes so much time and effort that many times people think we have forgotten about that task. Our Building Department is working tirelessly with our code enforcement, absentee landlords and Albany County to ensure our village is a place we are all proud to call HOME!
And lastly, let me be perfectly clear…. this is possible by the cooperation and dedication of the entire board and mayor.
My outlook for the village is optimistic! We have fabulous employees, a volunteer fire department I am extremely proud of, we have wonderful residents and we have a mayor and board that cares about everyone.
We will continue to move forward with everyone’s support, efforts and dedication.
Village elections will be on Tuesday, March 19, from 12-9 p.m., at Village Hall, 15 Mountain Road in Ravena.
