COVENTRY – The Town of Coventry will have one of its most competitive races for town council in recent years with five names on the ballot.
Douglas B. Besemer and Marion L. Ireland will be on the ballot twice, as Democrats and on the “Earth Friendly” ticket. Gwendolyn M. Hinman and Thomas A. Sisk will run on the Republican ticket and Daniel M. Clark will run as an independent on the “We the People” platform.
Besemer, 72, is running for council for the second time in his life despite the fact that the first was 20 years ago. A retired music teacher at Afton Central Schools, Besemer currently works as the assigned pastor of Horton Valley Parish of the United Methodist Church.
The candidate said he decided to run for office because there have been various issues on hold for many years and that specific difficulties faced over the last two years have only exacerbated the situation.
“We need a change in leadership right straight across the board,” he said. “It’s the same play with a different cast of characters ... What many people want is a new script.”
If elected, his goal would be to create a more open government as well as bring more civility and integrity to the board. He explained that instead of thinking of the “heydays” of the town, the community should “think in a more positive vein and look towards the future.”
Besemer is president of the Coventry Town Museum Association as well as the cofounder, with Clark, of the Community Events Committee, which strives to bring entertainment to Coventry.
Incumbent Ireland, 65, has served two consecutive terms on the town council and said that her goal, if re-elected, would be to add more transparency and openness. She explained that she wanted to see more discussion and comments on specific issues.
Proposed projects such as energy generating windmills have been discussed but, in her opinion, aren’t cost effective for the town and the taxpayer. Other budgetary issues also worry her.
“The town board has not had a financial report all year,” she said. “How can we know how we stand on the budget?”
Ireland went on to say that the natural gas issue, although important, had many constituents split down the middle and, in her opinion, did not constitute one of the biggest issues at the moment.
“When it comes to fracking, I’m not totally either way,” she explained. “I feel it’s up to the state and the DEC to decide.”
Ireland serves as the treasurer for the Bainbridge Scout House and the West Bainbridge Cemetery Association. She also currently works at the Veteran’s Home in Oxford.
Sisk, 56, said he began his political career at the Scottsdale Silo Club, although this is his first actual political race. He went on to explain that he decided to run in order to “be the voice of reason” in the town.
Sisk has owned a number of local business over the years, including the Greene Radio Shack, and currently owns and operates the Village Markets Shop in downtown Coventry. He explained that although he is not currently involved in any local organizations, he strives continuously to be of service to the town, providing aid such as a generator at Village Markets which he uses to assist community members free of charge during an emergency.
Sisk frequently attends town planning and board meetings and feels new ideas are needed. He stated that integrity, honesty, and following policy to the “letter of the law” are all important when it comes to public meetings.
He also asserted that the natural gas issue was taking up an excess of focus during the elections and that immediate matters, such as taxing and damage repair, should take precedent. One of the biggest problems facing the town is unequal tax assessments, he said, and if elected, he would focus on assuring the same formula is applied to everyone.
Hinman, Sisk’s sister-in-law, will also be running for council on the Republican ticket. Clark will be running as an independent on the “We the People” ticket. Both Hinman and Clark were unavailable for comment.