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Four St. Armand candidates running for reelection

BLOOMINGDALE — In St. Armand, the town supervisor, town clerk, highway department superintendent and tax collector are all running for reelection unopposed.

The Enterprise sent questionnaires to each of the candidates in uncontested races. Their responses are included below.

Davina Winemiller

Age: 51

Position sought: Town supervisor

Q: Why are you running for reelection?

A: I am committed to serving my community. I care about this town and our residents.

Q: What are your qualifications?

A: I have been an employee for the town of St. Armand for many years. In the various positions that I have held, I have seen firsthand the issues that we are facing and have made strides to fix those issues. I am an organized and self-motivated individual. I am dedicated to the people of St. Armand and Essex County.

Q: What are your main goals?

A: The town of St. Armand is currently under an “on-consent” order from the (state Department of Environmental Conservation) for a new disinfection requirement for the wastewater treatment plant. I am diligently working to secure the needed funding to meet the DEC deadline. We are in need of upgrades and improvements to our wastewater collection system and our water distribution system. There are needed improvements to storm water runoff systems, sidewalks need improvement, buildings and grounds need upgrades. I worked with the team from the Essex County Planning Department to apply for a grant for the town hall. We were recently awarded a (Community Development Block Grant) grant for town hall improvements in the amount of $233,350. We hope to begin doing the upgrades to the town hall very soon.

Q: What do you think are the three biggest problems in town, and how do you propose solving them?

A: We need to make the necessary improvements to our wastewater plant on River Road and upgrade the sewer collection system in Bloomingdale.

We also need to make water and sewer improvements in the Rockledge area. I am working ardently to secure grant funding for these projects.

Affordable housing. I have some ideas for improvements in this area, and plan on applying for grant funds to assist us with the needs of our citizens.

The Moody Pond parking issue is also very important to me and to our residents that live in that area. I am working on solutions to try to alleviate the problems there.

Q: Other comments to voters?

A: There is much work to be done in the town of St. Armand and I am committed to making improvements to St. Armand for our generation and generations to come.

Barbara Darrah

Age: 67

Position sought: Town clerk

Q: Why are your running for reelection?

A: I have lived in the town of St. Armand, specifically Bloomingdale, for 48 years, raising my four sons here, as well. I have served as the town clerk in the town of St. Armand since 2016.

In that time, I believe I have contributed positively in improving internal operations and streamlining procedures that bring assistance and fairness to the residents and representatives of our town.

I would like to continue with that endeavor, bringing more positive contributions that make a difference.

Q: What are your qualifications?

A: I retired from a career with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons after 21 years. In that time, I learned the operations of government and how to work with people from all walks of life, treating all with integrity and fairness. Other employment after retirement included teaching assistant with the per-kindergarten class at the Children’s Corner in Saranac Lake, and program assistant at the Research Foundation of the State University of New York Plattsburgh, specifically with stroke and traumatic brain injury patients.

Q: What are your main goals?

A: To assist others in my town to the best of my ability in reaching their goals. To maintain complete and accurate records of all town business for future reference. I love organizing things! To enhance the town of St. Armand with the skills and talents that I have to offer.

Q: What do you think are the three biggest problems in town and how do you propose solving them?

A: I prefer to use the word “challenges” rather than problems. As the water and sewer clerk, I know firsthand the costs associated with running the community’s wastewater treatment plant and meeting the mandates of the state government.

I also am aware of those costs being passed down to our customers. Our town supervisor goes above and beyond in seeking grants and other options in trying to keep those costs as low as possible with the town board’s support.

I work closely with the town supervisor in addressing the mandates and supplying the information and data required in obtaining those grants and making suggestions that make a difference.

Q: Other comments to voters?

A: I would like to thank the community for your votes in the past and look forward to serving you in the future.

Doug Snickles

Age: 52

Position sought: Highway superintendent

Q: Why are you running for reelection?

A: I am running for re-election so that I can ensure the safety of our residents and travelers on our roads. Winter conditions in our area can be dangerous and I want to make sure our roads are kept clear and maintained properly.

Q: What are your qualifications?

A: I have been an employee in the St. Armand Highway Department for over 32 years. I have worked diligently to maintain our roadways and assist our residents and I am committed to continuing in this capacity.

Q: What are your main goals?

A: The town of St. Armand is in need of a new salt storage shed. I have worked with Davina and the Essex County planning office to apply for a grant for a new salt shed. We should hear soon if we are to be awarded the grant. We need to continue to make improvements on our roads and sidewalks. Maintenance of culverts and ditches is also very important.

Q: What do you think are the three biggest problems in town, and how do you propose solving them?

A: The West Main Street project has been in the works for several years. We were denied a grant for the project this past year, but we plan on reapplying as soon as possible. We intend to completely redo West Main Street from the four corners to the “Y.” We will install new sewer lines, water lines, storm drains, blacktop and sidewalks.

Rockledge roads need upgrades and maintenance. We plan on making improvements in that area next year. Ditches need maintenance and culverts in that area need to be replaced. Sidewalks in the Bloomingdale area need to be replaced or repaired.

We plan on doing work on the sidewalks next year and continue making repairs as we can.

Q: Other comments to voters?

A: I would like people to know that winter conditions in our area can be dangerous. Please take extra time in the winter months, slow down, watch for snow plows and allow our small crew to get the snow removed as efficiently as possible. Be safe.

Nancy Heath

Age: 64

Occupation: I retired from the state seven years ago to be able to babysit my grandchildren a few days a week while their parents work.

Position sought: Tax collector

Q: Why are you running for reelection?

A: I enjoy the tax collector job and my husband still works full-time so I thought I would run for one more 4-year term.

Q: What are your qualifications?

A: I have been the town of St. Armand tax collector for 16 years.

Q: What are your main goals?

A: To process all tax payments efficiently, accurately and expeditiously, and be available to answer questions and concerns from St. Armand landowners/taxpayers. If anyone has a problem or concern regarding their tax bill, I will be happy to answer their questions and if I don’t have an answer, I will direct them to someone who does.

Q: Other comments to voters:

A: I hope everyone exercises their right to vote on Election Day!

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