Candidate Night 2009
SUMMARY


Opening statements

Kinowski: Managed thousands of people, millions of dollars.  Experience and expertise in operations,
water, building roads, etc.  Has been attending town board meetings for more than a year.  Retired
military. “Give back” commitment.

Connelly: Two years ago when elected, goal was to keep Stillwater a great place to live and raise a
family. Cited accomplishments during this time as the Paul F. Lilac Park, Global Foundaries and the
Railyard project.


What does each candidate think about term limits?

Kinowski: Researched term limits and found the subject goes back before Teddy Roosevelt.  “It’s a
good thing.  It’s not the loss of experience.”  Term limits offer those in office to help grow other
leaders.   Cited example:  if someone has been in office for a very long time and passes away, the
community loses.  Whereas if they mentor/grow someone, the community still has the knowledge of
the experienced leader while developing a new one.  

Connelly: Discussed his father being in the service and stationed in Alaska where he taught survival
training.  Believes that he fought for our rights and that this right should not be taken away.  “That’s
not what politics is about.”


One of the hardest aspects of government is communication. What do you propose to improve
communications?

Connelly: Receives criticism about the website and he agrees it needs more attention.  He stated he
does “a very good job communicating.”  His office is always open, it’s a part-time position and he
spends at least 8 hours a day at town hall.  

Kinowski: Personally reach out to constituents and utilize the Express and other local newspapers to
increase town business visibility.  Need “more response and action.”  Improve website.



What do you think about extending the supervisor’s term from 2 to 4 years and if you think it a good
idea, would you take the lead on it?

Kinowski: Good idea.  Four years would give time to do more.  Would advocate for it, but believes this
should come from the people and to let them vote on it.

Connelly: Cited several other supervisors have four year terms and he learned a lot from them.  Any
will tell you the first term is the most difficult and 2 years is not enough.  It takes a lot of time to get up
to speed, and the job is tough enough “but being a part-time job and having only two years, it is a
strike against you.”  It should go to public referendum.


Sales tax revenue is the  largest single source of revenue for the town.  Explain in detail methodology
and logic as to how you arrive at the sales tax figures in the preliminary budget.

Connelly: “I am not very conservative.” Believes that with Global Foundaries (1200 people eating
breakfast, lunch and dinner), the Intermodal train site, Water Authority water line installation, and
extended season at the race track (4 days), sales tax revenue will be better. Says “if the board wants
to go back and take it out of the budget, that’s why we have a democracy.”

Kinowski:  I am not going to put the people at risk any time I am your supervisor. I’m a bit more
conservative.”  Reads three newspapers a day and knows that the economy is questioned right up to
the federal level.  “The last thing I would do is to inflate the figure.”  Needs to do the right thing; try
not to raise taxes and “be a resident first.” Would make the process more transparent (he attended
three budget meetings and three workshops, no material available for anyone.)


What plans do you have to foster and enhance the relationship between the Village and Town
governments?

Kinowski: Establish friendly, working relationship to work together.


Connelly:  Isn’t aware of a problem with the mayor. “Politically may not have the same views, but we
work those things out.”  Water is the biggest issue that has festered for a long time.


What is integrity?

Connelly: “It’s when you say something that people take you for that word and people believe you are
giving them the truth.  My father was that kind of person and he taught me that.  Integrity is something
that is earned and not something you are born with.”


Kinowski:  “I live by that.  It’s one of the codes in the Air Force that was drilled into me.  It’s who you
are; who you represent. Are you honest? Are you trustworthy? Yes, I’m all of them.”



The supervisor position has many roles, including Chief Fiscal Officer for the Town of Stillwater.  What
are the key responsibilities of such a role and what experience do you bring to the table to assure
financial security of the town?

Kinowski: Managed budgets ($30 million to $300 million) for a “very long time.” (Air Force and Air
National Guard – handling money for 36 years).  Handled budgets to run four installations world-wide.  

Red card used to add time to respond: the budget is THE most important thing to manage a business.  
“I have a vast amount of experience… and outside of just working with it, directing what you buy,
running installations, deciding you need to buy this and not that, what roads to pave or not pave, and  
establishing priorities.  It’s so critically important to make the hard decisions to support the
taxpayers.” When running the installations, “it wasn’t his objective to spend government money.”  

“I’m a resident here and an American.  I spent very frugally and watched every step we took and I
wasn’t frivolous.”


Connelly: Stated that when he went to school, he was strong in math.  Prior to becoming supervisor,
he was in the mortgage business for five years.  He had someone help him “with the budget the first
term and we have a very good person works for the town who does that.”  

Red card used to add time to respond: agrees with Kinowski that it is very important but stated that it
“is not just my responsibility.“  Five people were elected to do the job and it’s not one person’s role.  
Once he does the tentative budget, cuts are up to the board.

States “I don’t have $30 million budget experience but I have lived in the town of Stillwater and we’ve
done a very good job managing the money with the debt left behind and saved the town a lot of
money in, and I believe this is something that can be learned.”



The supervisor’s position is considered “part-time.”  With the potential growth in town (Global
Foundaries) and other growing needs, what time commitment do you think is necessary to properly do
the job and what time commitment will you make?

Connelly:   I definitely believe it’s a full time position. Several other communities have it. We would
have to pay for it (double if not more than we pay).  For what the job pays, “you would never want to
break it down into an hourly wage.”

“I have the time and I have the commitment.  And the other job I do do is the mortgage business”
which can be done nights and weekends. States he is “very accessible” and doesn’t see that
changing.

Kinowski:  I’m retired and that has its advantage in some respects. Believes the hours can’t be added
up and that it is a morning to night job.  Plans to spend a lot of time working at it and communicating
with the board members and committees.  “With their input and how you communicate, that‘s the
mechanism that really runs the town and that’s what needs to be improved.”


What is your definition of leadership as it pertains to the supervisor position?

Kinowski: Presented example: Someone could be appointed to a leader’s position, but they might not
always wind up being a leader. “Why is that?  Because those people who work for them may not think
that person has the qualities of a leader.”

A leader is someone who is going to take the responsibility for the job he has been assigned  and
pulls people together to make the things happen that need to happen.  

Connelly:  Two years ago “took that role on” when he ran for supervisor.  Republicans did not have a
candidate and he “stepped up to be a leader” and “eventually was supported by them somewhat.”
“Goal of the leader is to fight for his job.”  There are some issues on the town board.  “Sometimes you
can only settle them by the old democratic ayes and nays.”  


If a resident has a problem and needs the assistance of the town supervisor, what process should he
or she follow to obtain assistance? And what communication should he or she expect?

Connelly: Has had calls such as a dog running loose, and he has had to direct the caller.  Cell phone is
on 24/7.  Gets numerous emails, which he answers quickly.  “Being in the office as much as I am,” the
job is 24/7.  It can be done on PT basis, but definitely need to be available 24/7.

Kinowski:  Establish contact list to get people to the right place the first time when possible (“one
stop shopping”) and have a list of emergency numbers always available.


Why was the intermodal facility not on the planning table for the Town of Stillwater with so many
potential emissions, traffic and noise generated when part of it is contiguous with the Town of
Stillwater?

Kinowski:  “Not being your current supervisor, I can’t explain where the hiccups occurred.“ One of
the things he would not have done, was to give lead agency status to Halfmoon.  “You never
advocate part of your position if you have a position to take.”  The project is in Stillwater and he saw
their website, offered his assistance, and suggested they go to the town board, which the ultimately
did.  Since that time, the board passed a resolution in an attempt to help them.

Connelly: Disagrees.  “Lead agency is given to communities all the time.” (Stillwater gave lead agency
to others for the Esplanade and AMD).  For Route 67 project, Process was never done (by engineers);
they never filed with our building department and we “tried to do right thing since then.” Need to go
through the process now with the applicant as he should have done originally.



How are you going to retain some of the nice farmland?  Part of the charm of the village and town is
the farmland.  How do you personally feel about it?

Connelly:  “I believe in protecting the farmlands. There are plenty of acts to protect them.”  Worked
with Saratoga Plan.  Let the planning board know we want farm land conserved and not to turn into
Clifton Park.

Kinowski: Identifies difference of personal feelings and what it takes to run the town.  He read and
“digested” Town’s Comprehensive Plan where residents were queried. With proper planning and
zoning, preserve rural areas.  Corridors established by the plan for commercial development.  Need
to bring business to offset growing taxes.  “If you don’t grow, taxes will continue to increase.”  We
are  becoming a bedroom community through loss of business over the years.



What is your feeling about the need or no need to combine the town and village under one
government.?

Kinowski:  ”Times may dictate change.  I can’t answer that because the people have to.”   Recognizes
cultural needs of village residents who want to maintain their identity.  If we can not control expenses
(all over the U.S.), this may become a reality.  I would bring the reality to the people.

Connelly: ”I don’t believe it is something the town should go after.”

“Layers of government are not necessarily good, but people have the right to go to the village and
town, they know where the boundaries are.”

“If the village and town could work well together, the village would have to ask the town to take it
over.”



What is your greatest accomplishment or experience, and how will that experience assist you in the
town supervisor duties?

Connelly:  Winning the election 2 years ago and signing the Global Foundaries contract.  

Red card used for additional time to add: last year’s ice storm and “the way we pulled together as a
community.”


Kinowski:  His last year in the service when he volunteered to go overseas.  It was a 24 hour a day
operation, he was accepted by all his peers.  Emergency Management was “put to the test” where
“sleep was not an option” and where “team is the approach.”  
“It takes more than one to do the job.”


Why did the elected officials, village, town and county wait 10 years to inform the people of the (PCB)
contamination?

Kinowski:   It’s a good thing to not always trust your government and to be activists for the checks
and balances.  We learn from horrible experiences.

Connelly:  Can’t answer from 10 years ago.  

Not in favor of the dredging but the only thing that came out of it was that it shut down village water
plant and now the EPA is purifying it.  The Village forced the EPA’s hand and the EPA needs to make it
right.  “They will never make it right for those who got sick.”  The Village sold the town water but “I
won’t put it on the village.” “No PCBs were ever found in the wells.”


If elected, in the next two years what do you plan on changing?

Connelly: Agrees with communication that it needs to be kept open and that “we continue to work with
constituents and the budget is certainly important.”  Believes that the toughest part is not answering
to some of the people and being a “free thinker”

“Making sure we give quality roads, police and fire and keep taxes from hurting that.”  As things
expand with Global Foundaries, a full time police force may be necessary, “but the people don’t want
taxes to go up but you have to give amenities.”

Kinowski: Two issues:  the supervisor is the fiscal manager and the budget is #1 – “you have to start
with the budget, review and understand it right to the last cent, and don’t over extend…”

#2 is to communicate better with the people and to listen to the residents; some have great ideas.


As supervisor, you are paid a salary and you are a public servant.  The money is an extra bonus.  Do
you feel it’s proper to request mileage refunds as part of your duties or to continue to be reimbursed
for those costs?

Kinowski:  Example provided:  Kinowski attended a firehouse meeting where the budget was up for a
vote (he was the only one in the audience). There was a discussion about the various places the fire
department volunteers travel and that when they come from downstate, they come with private buses
that they own.  Kinowski asked, “Has spending gotten out of hand maybe? Do people ask for a little
too much maybe?”  He stated maybe we need to scale back and perhaps change the rules.  He will
volunteer his services as often as possible throughout the town.

Connelly: from sitting on the County Board of Supervisors, in your day to day operation of the job, the
County asks you on a regular basis to put in for it, I put in for it on several things when I had to go to
Albany, but not for going to meet with a resident or going to town hall.  Everyone else in town hall
puts in for it, it’s in the personnel manual, and he doesn’t think it should be abused.


The supervisor is the town’s personnel manager.  What experience do you have in human resources
management?  

Connelly: ”As far as having that kind of background, absolutely not.  As far as being able to work with
people on a one to one basis and understanding people, I think I do a good job.”

“I haven’t ran a $30 million budget,” but works well with others, communicates with the other
supervisors very well, but as far as personnel town hall, I do a very good job.

Kinowski:   Chief of personnel 109th – 9 year, Worked on the Board of Personnel for the State of New
York.  Degree in Human Resource Management.  Wrote personnel manuals, hundreds of personnel
policies, and negotiated contracts (3 unions).

What is your greatest weakness and what do you do with that weakness and how do you turn it
around?

Kinowski:  One of my worst – I remember numbers better than names.  

Connelly: Spelling and “my ability to not correct myself when I do stuff like that.”  “That’s why you have
a secretary who has a very good background with stuff like that.”  “I learned to make sure that other
people check your work.”

(Regarding last year’s ice storm) What would you do in case we have another incident of this
magnitude? How would you improve the response of our emergency responders?

Connelly: One of the key words –volunteers.  “I don’t think you have to have a $20k budget.” We have
volunteers and emergency management in place.  “…the 2 fire departments with the biggest issue
need a chain of command. Whoever ends up not being the boss is never happy.” As supervisor, I was
in charge and I didn’t know of anything out in the field.  Sitting in this building where I was told I had to
stay, the firemen a phenomenal job.  The only thing he was told they shouldn’t have done is stay up 26
hours straight.  Think we need to work on the plan, but we did a phenomenal job.

Kinowski: Wasn’t involved in the actual town wide emergency plan, but had personal experience in
his area (cut trees to remove them from the road, assisted neighbors, helped people get warm
sharing his home).  #1 thing is for people to help people.  Very skilled people working Emergency
Management and there is a plan in place.  He understands there are communication issues between
all agencies and improvements are extremely important.  Only $500 in last year’s budget for
Emergency Management.  May not even be able to put out a letter with this budget.

Having attended town meetings for the last 2 years, politics being politics, and politicians being
politicians, during the meeting they open the floor to the public.  And the public comments.  Then
there’s no more comments and the floor is closed.  Then they bring up a key issue to vote on or
discuss and the public cannot say anything and it’s a critical issue.  How would you change that so
that all critical issues are put before the public so they can comment?

Kinowski:  I really think the board does a fairly good job on conducting your business, except with all
the issues to be discussed, if it isn’t on a sheet of paper or someone doesn’t address it, you lose the
opportunity to discuss it.  Everything should be “identified up front” but how many times is there a
resolution that is not on the printed format?  There is limited information on the given a subjects.  
Process may be to explain the entire resolution up front.  

Used red card to extend time:  If you have an opening comment in the beginning you should be able
to have one in the end.  

Connelly:  I could see if something was brought back to the board that may have been brought up in
the past where something was tabled and brought back, it’s something a supervisor has no control
over someone taking something off the table.  The people should have the right to speak and the
process may need to be changed. Maybe the floor needs to be opened up for a specific issue.  

Closing statement - 1 minute each


Connelly: I will hopefully move forward in my career as a politician, I enjoy politics and want to stay in. I
am not a party politician.” Does what he feels is right.  On his own because of lack of support but
“there were enough people who wanted me on the ballot.

Kinowski:   ”Just because I was in the military, it doesn’t make me an expert.”  Comments included
what he did do.  Worked hard to achieve what he did.  Enlisted for 12 years, went back nights to get
degree. Studied and promoted throughout his career.  Has a lot of experience.
The Alliance For Responsible Open Government In Stillwater (afrogiswhy.com) sponsored a
candidate forum on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.  All supervisor candidates were invited to
attend.  Edward Kinowski and Shawn Connelly participated; Democrat Christopher Dunn did not
attend.

Pursuant to the rules of the Saratoga County League of Women Voters, all videos of the event
must be shown in its entirety.  Therefore, if you would like to see the candidate forum, you may
view a copy at the Stillwater Free Library.

The questions are provided as closely to the specific wording as possible.  Every effort has
been made to summarize candidate responses objectively and responsibly.

                                     Click here for a PDF copy of Summary...
                     
                        
                      STILLWATER TOWN SUPERVISOR
    
              REP, CON, IND       Edward D Kinowski                          1462
              DEM                       Christopher T Dunn                           483
              PAT                         Shawn P Connelly                             354
                        
                      STILLWATER TOWN CLERK
                 
              REP, CON, IND      Sue A Cunningham                           1441
              DEM                      Casey Tanner-Perretta                       811
                        
                      
                     STILLWATER TOWN JUSTICE

               DEM,CON,IND        Ralph A Peluso                                 1311
              REP                        Cindy L Meers                                    799
                        
                      
                     STILLWATER TOWN COUNCIL

               REP                       Kenneth P Petronis                            1478    
               REP                       Arthur P Baker                                   1423
              DEM                      Judy Wood-Shaw                                 796
                        
                      STILLWATER HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT

               REP                     Mark R Minick                                      1464
              DEM                     Erik A Mueller                                      1025
                        
                      STILLWATER TAX COLLECTOR

               REP                   Anne M Robyck                                     1546