CLAVERACK DEMOCRATS UNANIMOUSLY NOMINATE FIVE CANDIDATES FOR TOWN BOARD ELECTION
- Claverack Democrats
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
CLAVERACK, NY – At the Claverack Democratic Caucus on Sunday, April 27, registered Claverack Democrats turned out to nominate a full slate of candidates for the upcoming election. Ilze Earner was unanimously elected to be the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, as were Robert Honeywell and Peter Hoffman for the two Town Board seats, Amber D’Amato for Town Clerk/Tax Collector, and Louis Lamont as Highway Superintendent.
Supervisor candidate Ilze Earner, who will prioritize getting grants and other state and federal monies that are owed to Claverack, has decades of experience in securing grants, including $10 million in grants funding for several nonprofit programs and research initiatives to support children. Earner has a 25-year background in social work, focusing on at risk and vulnerable children. Earner, who raised her family in Claverack and was a 4-H club leader and Sunday School teacher, has become a Master Gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension and, during the summer, runs a reading program with Safe Haven Horse Rescue. “I am honored to be nominated by the Claverack Democrats,” Earner said. “I believe a well-run town must operate with transparency, accountability, and community engagement to guarantee Claverack residents’ safety and well-being.”
Robert Honeywell, Town Board candidate, has practiced business law for over 30 years, specializing in bankruptcy law. He knows that making things work, even if you don’t have enough money, requires creativity and tough negotiating. Honeywell recognizes the responsibility of a Town Board member is to address the issues in a practical, business-minded way to make our town work for everyone while staying within its means. As a co-founder and manager of a non-profit organization, he also has a deep background in grant-writing and will bring that fundraising experience to Claverack. Honeywell has been a force in community activism in Claverack and Columbia County, working closely with the Columbia Economic Development Corporation on expanding Broadband to unserved areas and provided legal assistance to the local Farmers and Families for Claverack group during the power line fight. “I’m honored to be nominated by the Claverack Democrats,” said Honeywell. “With over 30 years of business law experience, I will put that to use for all Claverack residents – Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. The Board should work for all of us.”
Town Board candidate Peter Hoffman has been building community, both professionally and as a private citizen, largely through the lens of food, for decades. Hoffman and his wife owned and successfully ran two ground-breaking farm-to-table restaurants during his 26-year career as a Claverack Democratic Committee | PO Box 514, Claverack, NY 12513 www.claverackdemocrats.org | info@claverackdemocrats.org Paid for by the Claverack Democratic Committee. Printed in house. Contributions to the Claverack Democratic Committee are not tax deductible. chef/owner. He served on the advisory board of the NYC Greenmarket for a decade and on the Chefs Collaborative board for fourteen years, serving six years as Chair. Hoffman developed many direct buying relationships with local farms here in Columbia County for decades. Hoffman advocated for sustainable agriculture and healthy local economies and now, as a Claverack resident and Town Board candidate, relishes the opportunity for our community to help make our farms and farmers remain viable for all involved. “As a small businessman, long committed to helping agricultural communities thrive, I bring the perspective and tools sorely needed on the Claverack Town Board,” Hoffman said. “I thank the Claverack Democrats for their nomination and look forward to finding solutions to the needs of our community.”
Amber D’Amato, candidate for Town Clerk/Tax Collector, has significant experience in customer service with 20 years in the health and wellness fields, designing and implementing programs, and leading content creation and customer engagement strategies for emerging small businesses. As owner of a wedding and event planning business, D’Amato has honed her skills to successfully communicate, manage budgets, and negotiate contracts. She knows the importance of customer service and is committed to modernizing the Clerk’s Office and expanding office hours to make it easier for community members to access the services offered at the Town Office. D’Amato is also an organizing force in her neighborhood, communicating with town and county services to address local issues. “I care deeply about making our local government more accessible and responsive,” said D’Amato. “I’m grateful to receive the Democratic nomination for Town Clerk and Tax Collector.”
Highway Superintendent candidate Louis Lamont is a life-long resident of Claverack with a 40- year career in the Highway Department. He has served as Superintendent for the last 26 years. Lamont is certified in Highway Safety, Bridge Inspection and Reconstruction, Storm and Water Drainage, Road Grading and Slopes, Paving and Blacktop Maintenance, Snow and Ice Control, and Certified by NY Rural Water Association on “Water Protection for Small Water Systems.” Lamont knows every inch of Claverack’s 70.77 miles of roads and highways, including the five miles in the Village of Philmont, which recently became his responsibility. “I want to thank the Democratic Committee for their cross endorsement and everything they have done for me,” stated Lamont.
After the conclusion of the Caucus, the Claverack Democratic Committee unanimously endorsed Jackie Salvatore for Columbia County Sheriff. “It is truly an honor to have the support and endorsement of the Claverack Democrats in my campaign for Columbia County Sheriff,” said Salvatore. “I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me, and I am committed to continuing to serve and protect our community.”
Stephanie Sussman, Claverack Town Chair, stated, “Our candidates have a real passion to make Claverack work better for all. They have the expertise and experience to obtain grant money, lead through community engagement, protect our agricultural roots, and modernize our town services with 21st century technology.”
Claverack Democratic Committee
The Claverack Democratic Committee is committed to putting our core democratic values to work on a grassroots level. Our strength comes from our beliefs of honoring inclusion and diversity; respect for liberty, equality, and justice; and improving the quality of life for all in our community. For more information, visit claverackdemocrats.org.
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