HILLSDALE — After Tropical Storm Isaias delayed the selection of a new Democratic candidate to replace former Democratic Hillsdale town Supervisor Peter Cipkowski — who resigned at the end of July to join his husband, Bill Kramer, in Hollywood, Calif., where Kramer is the director and CEO of the new $482 million Academy Motion Picture Museum — a candidate has been chosen. The planned Aug. 4 Zoom forum was a washout, but the next day the sun was shinning for Hillsdale Democratic Committee (HDC) Chairman Christian Kersten, who was selected as the committee’s nominee.
The HDC’s Nominating Committee released a statement via email on Aug. 5 announcing “four duly elected members of the Columbia County Democratic Committee representing the two election districts in Hillsdale convened via Zoom at 11 a.m. Aug. 5… Steve Smith was elected chair of the HDC Nominating Committee… Tod Wohlfarth was elected secretary of the HDC Nominating Committee… A vote was commenced.”
Kersten abstained from voting. He was then chosen as the Democratic candidate for town supervisor; his name will appear on the general ballot Nov. 3 on that party’s line.
According to the HDC, the certificate of nomination was submitted to the Board of Elections that afternoon.
“We want to thank the entire town and all registered Democrats for putting faith in the committee to fully consider all candidates that submitted their names for nomination,” stated the HDC, which put together a Supervisor Search Committee this March, as the COVID-19 pandemic was just hitting its stride.
According to the Search Committee, two candidates had submitted letters of interest. Hillsdale Councilwoman Robina Ward, who was named interim supervisor this month, was the other candidate.
Questions for the candidates, along with statements of support, can be found online, at www.docs.google.com.
Cheryl Jones, who was town chairwoman for more than 17 years and was responsible for recruiting Democratic candidates for town offices, had this to say in support of Kersten.
“Chris is smart, empathetic, compassionate, even-tempered and exhibits the kind of emotional intelligence needed in a political leader,” she said. “While the election process Hillsdale is facing as Peter must move on is a bit uncertain, it is certain that Chris is running and I strongly support his candidacy for Hillsdale town supervisor.”
Steven Tiger, a town councilmember, spoke in support of Ward.
“I serve on the Town Board and am nearing my ninth year,” he stated. “My experience informs me that the town needs a supervisor who understands and can formulate a budget. Robina knows and understands every line of the town budget… And she can formulate the town’s budget in good times and possible upcoming bad times.
“At Town Board meetings Robina’s knowledge of the budget is demonstrated, as oft times she identifies and suggests the needed corrections when a budget item has been placed in the wrong account,” he added. “The support for Robina by [Councilman] Tom Carty and myself speaks to the fact that Robina is a team player. She will not only seek consensus within the board but also with the citizens of Hillsdale. She will be an inclusive town supervisor.”
Shirley and Martin Bresler threw their support behind Kersten.
“We want to share our enthusiasm for selecting Chris Kersten for the job,” they wrote. “Chris has had years of experience in the public sector and not-for-profit world. He started out in Hillsdale, has deep roots in the community, had years of success in larger communities in other parts of the country, and returned to Hillsdale, bringing home his worldly experience, his appreciation of Hillsdale and his personal qualities of intelligence, empathy, kindness, good judgment and respect for the opinions of others. He served as town judge, has been a member of our Safe at Home committee… and is a dedicated, effective head of the HDC.”
Meanwhile, the HDC is preparing for a caucus. It issued a statement from the committee, which includes Richard Collens, Steve Smith, Tod Wohlfarth and Kersten.
“Thank you all for your support. It is now time for the party to move forward, united and together, and work to elect our nominee.”
‘Square Quilting painting' by ransomeAlexander Wilburn
