Profile by Robert Lachman of the Register Star

McGivney reflects on terms, accomplishments as supervisor
By Robert Lachman
Published:
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 2:14 AM EST

Kinderhook Town Supervisor Doug McGivney is the only Columbia County Democrat to be elected to his post five times in a row. An unabashed liberal in a sea of conservative Republicans, McGivney had high hopes of winning the supervisor job one more time in the November municipal elections, but it was not to be. McGivney, who said he was outspent 2 to 1 by
incoming supervisor Pat Grattan and the Republican machine, lost the election by a landslide. But, even though he lost, he remains an upbeat, forward thinking man who loves politics and will do whatever he can to serve the people in his district. McGivney got into politics after a long career as a lawyer. He was a Health Department attorney whose primary function was the prosecution of physicians, hospitals and nursing homes for unethical medical conduct. He rose through the ranks and became the principal attorney and bureau director of the Bureau of Administrative Hearings until 1993 when he left to start his own general practice in Kinderhook.
In 1997 he ran for supervisor and lost, returning in 1999 to become the longest-running Democratic supervisor in county history, he told the Register-Star. “I’ve always been involved in politics and I always had the idea I’d like to be supervisor,” McGivney said from his home in Kinderhook. “I kept winning and that in itself is unusual because Kinderhook is a
Republican town.” When he won his first two-year term in 1999 McGivney ran on two major issues, the adoption of a Comprehensive Plan for the town and the creation of a town recreation facility. And though the recreation facility, which included an indoor swimming pool, was defeated in a referendum vote, he was able to build Volunteer’s Park which incorporated soccer fields, Little league baseball diamonds and picnic areas. Additional land and buildings were also acquired to create the Dorothy Ostrowsky Senior Center. It is now home to the Tri-Village Seniors organization which boasts more than 100 members.
“I think Volunteer’s Park is my greatest accomplishment,” said McGivney. “But I’m also pretty proud of the Planning Board doing the Comprehensive Plan, which has helped significantly with the traffic.” McGivney also oversaw the creation of the Hannaford Plaza shopping center which enlarged existing businesses adding 151,000 square feet of new commercial space as well as renovating another 94,000 square feet of previously vacant commercial space.
“Our Planning Board is super-professional,” he said. “The Comprehensive Plan provided for 12 percent more commercial space and improved the buildout by about 30 percent. The design of the Hannaford Plaza is such that the viewshed was protected, so the commercial buildings are not right on the highway.”

Kinderhook Town Supervisor Doug McGivney recently spoke to the Register-Star about his terms as the town’s top official and the accomplishments of his time in office.
McGivney reflects on terms, accomplishments as supervisor According to McGivney, this added $30 million to the town’s taxable property. Another of McGivney’s proud accomplishments includes the voluntary boundary expansion of Lindenwald National Park which, in the future, will hopefully recreate Martin Van Buren’s original farm. “The Republicans were against it, but with the help of (Kirsten) Gillibrand and Hilary (Clinton) we got it done.” said McGivney. “It makes a much better tourist attraction, fits in with the agricultural community and provides money to spend in Kinderhook.” McGivney also supported farmers’ requests for sale of development rights and preserved, in perpetuity, through public and private funds, approximately 1,000 acres of farmland for open space. Accomplishments aside, McGivney has had a few disappointments during his tenure as supervisor. “I’ve always been upset we were never able to get a pool,” he said. “I think we need a swimming facility somewhere in Columbia County, not just for the youth but for seniors as well.” By far his biggest disappointment has been his inability to bring about a long-term purchasing plan with the surrounding fire departments. “I am worried about public safety,” he said. “There’s rivalries between
fire companies plus the political situation between the village and the town of Stuyvesant taking away money they’ve given to the village is neither based on safety or common sense. It’s basically a money grab from one fire department not working with the rest,” he said. “I’m hoping all the fire companies involved will work together on planning coverage and long-term purchasing.”

So, what’s next for McGivney?

“I’m going to take a long vacation,” he said. “And then I’ll get back to practicing law again, and hope to do some pro-bono work for those that need it.” An avid runner, he also hopes to increase his running and spend more time with his wife Barbara; his two daughters, Mary Kate and Tracey; and his four grandchildren. “Doug worked 18 hours a day every day for 10 years,” said Barbara McGivney. “He gave an awful lot of time to the town. One thing I know, whatever he does now, he will always be involved in politics.” To reach reporter Robert Lachman, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail rlachman@registerstar.com.

Kinderhook's Town Board December Meeting

Doug' Last Town Board MeetingWednesday, December 16, 2009 8:49 AM EST

There was standing room only at Kinderhook's December meeting. As reported by Robert Lachman of the Register Star:

It was the last hurrah for Kinderhook Town Supervisor Doug McGivney Monday night as he presided over his final Kinderhook Town Board meeting. It was a bittersweet moment for many in the audience and for McGivney. Before the meeting started, state Assemblyman Tim Gordon, I-Bethlehem, presented McGivney with a proclamation from the State Assembly in the form of a plaque, listing many of McGivney’s accomplishments during his 10 years as supervisor.

Mark Leinung, a representative from the Governor’s Office, also presented McGivney with a letter signed by Gov. David Paterson which read, in part: “... On behalf of all New Yorkers accept my profound appreciation for your exemplary work.”

After the laudatory celebrations the board got down to business for the last time this year.
Councilman Peter Bujanow discussed a proposal that’s in the works that would help meet Paterson’s 45-15 energy strategy for the state. “The New York Power Authority has initiated a plan for offering municipalities a 100 megawatt solar photovoltaic system that will allow a municipality to put in solar power for energy. It’s part of the governor’s plan for 45 percent self-sufficiency by 2015,” he said. According to Bujanow, the state provides municipalities with all the equipment at a fixed price that will be paid off over 20 years. He also explained there is a new general municipal law that provides loans to property owners for energy self-sufficient measures. “The town of Bedford in Westchester did it in 2007. It allows towns to get government funds and they add it to the tax bill,” he said. “I visualize with the current technology we could cut our bills in half in five years,” McGivney said. “There’s
been a lot of thought by the legislature going into this.”

The next item of business echoed what the village of Kinderhook has been dealing with recently — outdoor wood boilers. Unlike the village, which just passed a law outlawing any new OWBs, the town took a more measured approach in its draft proposal. “We decided not to outlaw them,” Bujanow said, “but to to restrict their design.” He also said the OWB situation is on a moratorium until February.

Finally, the fire district dispute with the town of Stuyvesant came up and McGivney discussed how the negotiations had gone smoothly for awhile and had reached an impasse.
“In talking with (Kinderhook Village Mayor Bill) Van Alstyne he doesn’t see any movement from Stuyvesant,” he said. He also made a final comment after the meeting had ended on the supposed feud between Van Alstyne and himself. “I’m still disappointed that discord still exists with the village. Village taxpayers who are also town taxpayers get the short end of the stick and I’m hoping that the Fire Committee will be able to address the problem in the future,” he said.

As the meeting closed board members thanked McGivney for all his hard work with Deputy Supervisor Debbie Johnson praising his dedication and hard work.

Last Hoorah !

NEWS
Grattan unseats McGivney
By Paul Crossman , from Register Star

November 4th, 2009

Long-time Supervisor Doug McGivney, though unhappy with the results, took the loss well, even driving over to shake hands and congratulate the new supervisor.

“It looks like this is my last hoorah,” McGivney told a crowd of his supporters after the results came in. “I had a good run, and it’s been fun. I really thought we would do better, our team has been fantastic.” He went on to say that he wishes his competition the best of luck, and plans to do everything he can to help Grattan get started as supervisor, making a point to say that the loss of the election did not diminish his interest in the town.