By EMILIA TEASDALE
KINDERHOOK – Current Kinderhook Town Supervisor Timothy (Tim) Ooms is running unopposed for reelection. Mr. Ooms, a Republican, is endorsed by both his party and the town Democratic Committee. He is on the Democratic, Republican and Conservative ballot lines this November. The supervisor position is a two-year term.
The Democrats also endorsed current Town Board member Phillip Bickerton. Mr. Bickerton is running for reelection on the Republican and Conservative ballot lines as well. The Democrats also endorsed Sally Naramore for Town Board. Incumbent Town Board member George (Jason) Graham is running for reelection on the Republican and Conservative ballot lines. Mr. Graham was appointed to the board to finish out Mr. Ooms’ board seat and ran unopposed last year for a one-year term. Normally, Town Board seats are four years.
There is also a race for Town Clerk. Current Clerk April Pinkowski is running for election on the Republican and Conservative lines. Ms. Pinkowski was appointed to the position when Kim Pinkowski retired last year (they are distantly related by marriage). Nataly D. Jones is running on the Democratic line. The clerk position is for 4 years.
The Republicans and Democrats have candidates running for Town Justice. We will run their profiles in next week’s issue along.
The candidates for clerk, Town Board and justice were sent questionnaires for the profiles below:
Town Clerk
Nataly D. Jones:
Ms. Jones, 54, is a registered Democrat. She is the secretary for the town’s Planning Board, the Zoning of Appeals and the Board of Assessment Review. She has worked at the Kinderhook Memorial Library and the Columbia County Board of Elections. She currently works at Questar III BOCES.
Ms. Jones graduated cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College in 1996. She has two grown sons, both Ichabod Crane graduates. Her partner is Kevin Stein.
“In her candidate profile, she said, “I have lived in Kinderhook for over 20 years. It is where I have raised my two sons and put down some deep roots. I am committed to community, communication and engagement.
“I have worked at Questar III BOCES supporting our local school districts, students and families; I was a Library Assistant at the Kinderhook Memorial Library, assisted patrons and developed programs; I am also the clerk to the Town of Kinderhook Planning and Zoning Boards and Board of Assessment Review. Through these positions, I have honed my computer and customer service skills. I have developed and maintained multiple databases and websites. I am well prepared to take on the challenges of Town Clerk/Tax Collector for the Town of Kinderhook.
“One of my priorities as the next Town Clerk/Tax Collector will be to communicate with the residents of the town through regular email notifications about community events, volunteer opportunities, meeting agendas and general updates and information. I would also like to make the Town’s website more accessible and user friendly.”
April Pinkowski:
Ms. Pinkowski, 38, has no party affiliation. She was the town’s Deputy Clerk for 2 years before being appointed to Town Clerk.
She has a bachelor of science degree in Childhood Education from the College of St. Rose and was a Special Education Teaching Assistant before becoming Deputy Clerk. Ms. Pinkowski has a 9 year old daughter.
Her statement reads, “I am a resident of the Town of Kinderhook since early childhood. I graduated from the Ichabod Crane School District in 2003 and the later from The College of Saint Rose with a degree in Childhood Education. I am a mother to one beautiful daughter who attends ICC and is involved in extracurricular activities (and to one Goldendoodle, Millie, who you will often find at Town Hall).
“I worked for the East Greenbush School District for 8 years as a Special Education Teaching Assistant and left voluntarily to serve under Kim Pinkowski as Deputy Town Clerk in 2021. Over the next two and a half years, I learned the many innerworkings of the Town Clerk’s Office. I have attended two NY
State Town Clerks Association Conferences obtaining educational credits and becoming well versed in
Municipal Law. I was appointed Town Clerk in January 2023. Since then, I have piloted the Town’s
Hometown Heroes Banner Program, updated the Town website, contributed to the Town’s social media presence, and done my absolute best to make each resident feel welcome and understood when they visit the office. I have furthered the transparency between the public and local government. I have the experience and communication skills that are mandatory for the position. I love my job and I love my town. Please consider me to continue to serve my fellow members of the Kinderhook community as Town Clerk.”
More information is at www.facebook.com/voteaprilp
Town Board
Phillip Bickerton:
Mr. Bickerton, 64, in not enrolled in a political party. He has been on the Kinderhook Town Board for 6 years and was on the Valatie Village Board for 8 years.
He attended Ichabod Crane and Vassar College, and currently works as a self employed carpenter. He and his wife, Coach Tahnee Heins, have 3 kids, ages 12, 9 and 6. Mr. Bickerton is a member of the Valatie Fire Department and Valatie Santa Claus Club.
In his candidate statement, he said, “I love my town. The team that we have on the board is a solid, hardworking group that is committed to making the best decisions for our Kinderhook. I recall what Martin Van Buren said about government, ‘it should not be guided by temporary excitement, but by sober second thought.’ That ‘sober’ approach may not be headline grabbing but it is what leads to our Towns upcoming water infrastructure project, our continuing upgrades to the Highway Department and Town Hall, our work with the Rescue Squad in finding a new home, new courts and recreation areas at Volunteer Park, our work with the Climate Smart team accessing grants and more, all while paying careful attention to the Town’s finances and our taxpayers’ pockets. There is more work to do and we have the best team to do it. Let’s make it happen. Thank you.”
George J. Graham:
Mr. Graham, 50, is also not enrolled in a political party. He is a graduate of Ichabod Crane Central School District (1991) and graduated from Hudson Valley Community College (1993) with an Associate’s Degree.
He and his wife Melanie have three children ranging in age from 24 to 15 years old.
He wrote: “I have worked and lived in Valatie for 50 years. I am self-employed and own an autobody repair shop in Valatie. I served on the Planning Board for the Town of Kinderhook for 7 years, 2 years as chairman. I am currently the liaison to the Planning Board, ZBA, Recreation Committee and Buildings Committee, while serving as a Town Board Member. Current projects of the board include working on improving water infrastructure, and security and safety for the town hall. For town recreation, the board is having pickle ball courts installed for the community to enjoy. As a board member I hope to keep the town growing responsibly and our taxes in check.”
Sally Naramore:
Sally Bottiggi Naramore, 64, is a registered Democrat. She lives in the Village of Kinderhook.
Ms. Naramore has a BA in History from Ohio Wesleyan University, a MA in the History of Industrial America from University of Delaware and a certificate in Adolescent Education from the College of St. Rose. She is a retired Social Studies Teacher/Department Chair from Hudson High School, and a former museum director, fundraiser and events planner.
She and her husband Bruce have two adult daughters who graduated from Ichabod Crane High School.
Her statement reads, “As a 40 year resident of the town, I have seen the town face many challenges and it will face many in the future. A proactive approach can help us benefit from the changes that the town will experience in the future. As a Town Council we can look out for the interests of all the residents of this town whether they live in one of the villages of Valatie and Kinderhook, hamlet of Niverville, along Kinderhook Lake or in our agricultural areas. We can assist retirees, young families, businesses and farmers and create a more viable and sustainable community for our children and grandchildren. We can do this by creating a plan for a public/private partnership for a community recreation center, review the masterplan and zoning laws and increase visibility through social media.”
More information is on Facebook at naramore4kinderhook
