CAP-21 welcomed the public to meet and get to know the Town of Webb candidates that will be appearing on ballots this fall, either on primary day next Tuesday, September 13, or the general election on November 8.

The event, which was billed as Webb Candidates’ Night 2011, was held in VIEW’s Gould Hall.

Five supervisor candidates were on hand, each hoping to succeed Robert Moore who will be vacating the position after his fifth term expires at the end of this year.

Supervisor candidates were Dave Berkstresser, George Hiltebrant, Ted Riehle, Richard Risley, and Stuart deCamp.

And the crowd was large with 120 audience members signing in at the entrance.

“This seems like old times to me and I appreciate the opportunity,” said George Hiltebrant, who decided to re-seek the supervisor’s job after a 10-year hiatus.

Prior to that he had served the town as supervisor for 25 years.

“I left this town with no debt. I left this town with an unexpended balance of over $2 million,” he said. “I think that’s proven fiscal responsibility.”

Dave Berkstresser would also like the job.

“Since moving here I have served the town in several capacities, and I consider the position of supervisor as the ultimate service to the town,” he said.

“In that capacity I would demonstrate the qualities of leadership, fairness and fiscal responsibility, and I look forward to the opportunity,” he said.

Councilman Richard Risley sees the job as a logical next step for him as a servant of local government. He said he has the experience and the passion to perform well as supervisor and to move the town forward. As a current board member, he said he is ready and able to work with and guide Webb’s town board.

Stuart deCamp described himself as a creative thinker with a broad educational background that includes four university degrees, and experiences that apply directly or indirectly to the job of supervisor.

“What have I done?” he said. “Like everybody here I’ve bagged groceries, washed dishes, short-order cooked, waited on table.”

He said he’s also taught English and supervised and trained staff in a number of industries, including those relating to tourism and finance.

Ted Riehle is the current head of the town’s wastewater treatment department. He said long- and short-term planning, operational efficiency, and fiscal responsibility are his top priorities.

“I have regularly worked with the other departments,” he said. “I am familiar with many of the day-to-day activities of the town.”

There are also four candidates that will be on the November ballot for two available Town of Webb council seats.

James B. Herron, Jr. (J.B.) is an incumbent seeking reelection to his second term.

First-time candidates seeking council seats are Mary Brophy-Moore, Bob McCoy and Patrick Perkins.

Brophy-Moore cited her experience as current chairperson of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“I always try to ascertain the spirit of the law when making decisions,” she said, adding that her bottom line is to make decisions that are in the best interest of the town as a whole.

“As a board member I would do the same,” she said.

Herron said he bristles when he is sometimes referred to as a politician. The only label he feels comfortable applying to himself is “ethical,” he said.

Bob McCoy has maintained an active connection with local government as a member of the Webb Property Owners Assocation. He said he is well-versed with Webb’s Master Plan and the town budget, and that his professional background and experiences would be of benefit to the town board.

Pat Perkins said he has been interested in the town board for a long time and had considered running in the past. Perkins said he is a fourth generation native of the community and a local business person for 22 years. He said he believes his knowledge of the community and all its facets would enhance the board’s deliberations.

“I’ll do the best job I can, and I’ll listen to any concerns anybody has,” he said.

Also on hand was Jon Hansen, a candidate for Herkimer County Legislator, District 15. His opponent, incumbent Legislator Patrick Russell, had a county legislature meeting in Herkimer and was not able to attend.

Spending is too high in Herkimer, Hansen said.

“I understand we need a jail—the county needs a jail; they need a district attorney, they need the court system. But do we have to do it now?” he asked.

Hansen said the better route would be to wait three or four years.

“Things may get better, and then we can go into this $45 million jail,” he said, adding that the septic/sewer would cost another $1.5 million.

“We pay almost $10 million a year tax levy to Herkimer County,” Hansen said. “We can’t afford to keep doing that.”

Hansen also said the county needs to come forward with money to help with health care services in the Town of Webb.

“We haven’t got a medical center,” he said. “We have doctors. We should have an emergency room [in the Town of Webb], and we should try to find a way that we can get some sort of funding from the county to help do that.”

Also participating in the CAP-21 candidates night were Justice Patrick Venetz, who is seeking reelection, and his challenger John W. (Jack) Graham.

“I’ve been your town justice for 12 years. I think I’ve done a good job, and I’m honored to have the position,” Venetz said.

“I care about the community and the people in it,” he added.

Venetz said a justice must be considerate and fair to everyone, and that circumstances vary from case to case.

“You cannot rubber-stamp anything, and common sense has to prevail,” he said.

Graham, who has a law enforcement background along with Venetz, agreed.

“You have to treat every individual case a little differently,” he said. “You have to listen to all the facts, all the evidence.”

Graham added that a justice should not approach a case with his mind solely on punishment. The ultimate goal should be to turn people into law respecting citizens. Toward that end, Graham said community service should play an important role in the sentencing of young people especially.