CLAVERACK’S REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HIDING FROM VOTERS — AGAIN

For Immediate Release: October 22, 2025

CLAVERACK, NY – Republican town candidates, including the current Town Supervisor, failed to participate in nonpartisan candidate forums organized by a local library.

“This isn’t just disrespectful — it’s cowardly,” said Claire Ackerman, a lifelong Claverack resident. “Kippy Weigelt has made a habit of disappearing when it matters most. He’s skipped key budget votes, dodged public questions, and now he’s skipped the chance to face voters directly. It’s a pattern of contempt for the people of Claverack.”

Ackerman previously criticized the Republican-led Town Board’s secretive appointment of Rich Michael—a candidate for Town Clerk—to that position without public notice, comment, or clear legal authority to do so. She and other concerned residents have also questioned why the town is currently paying three people to perform the job of clerk.

The Philmont Public Library hosted two candidate forums for the Town of Claverack last week on Tuesday, October 14, for the Town Supervisor race and on Saturday, October 18, for the Town Council contest.

The library said the moderated forums were designed “to facilitate a discussion of local and Columbia County issues with the candidates for town council and town supervisor.”

None of the Republican candidates showed up at either forum.

Claverack Town Supervisor Clifford “Kippy” Weigelt said he would be leaving on October 13 for a month of vacation and so couldn’t attend. Town Councilmember Stephen “Hookie” Hook said he had a previous commitment and likewise couldn’t be there. Town Council candidate Phil Tkacy never even responded to multiple invitations by the library.

Claverack Democratic candidates who participated in the two forums said the lack of Republican participation was part of a pattern and undemocratic.

Ilze Earner, who is running for Town Supervisor on the Democratic and Do Something lines, said, “Failing to show up at a candidates forum is another example of how disrespectful the current leadership is towards the residents of Claverack. They seem afraid to engage in a legitimate debate about the issues facing our community.”

“It’s a shame the Claverack Republicans passed up this chance to have an open, respectful debate with us and the voters on the issues we’re all facing. These aren’t party issues, they’re Claverack issues,” said Robert Honeywell, candidate for Town Council on the Democratic and Do Something lines.

Peter Hoffman, another Democratic Town Council contender running on both lines, said, “The failure of the Republican candidates to appear at the Philmont Library’s nonpartisan forum is but the latest example of their disinterest in engaging with the town residents about issues that impact all of us. It’s disrespectful of the townspeople.”

Early voting begins Saturday, October 25, and runs through Sunday, November 2. Polls are open daily from 9am to 5pm except on Tuesday, October 28, and Wednesday, October 29, polls are open from 12pm to 8pm. Voters can cast their ballots at either the Columbia County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson, or the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building, 3211 Church Street, Valatie. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Polls are open 6am to 9pm. Visit elections.columbiacountyny.com for more information.

Photos:

1. Town Supervisor Candidates Forum, L-R: Moderator and Ilze Earner, Democratic candidate for Town Supervisor

2. Town Council Candidates Forum, L-R: Robert Honeywell and Peter Hoffman, Democratic candidates for Town Council, along with two empty seats for the Republican candidates who did not show

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