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