CLINTON FOR ACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP
Demand Transparency. Uphold the Law.
Clinton needs elected leaders who serve residents and uphold the law. It’s time to elect leaders who respect our community, our laws, and resist corporate bullying.
ENDORSEMENTSWHAT ARE THE FACTS?
Click on each event to learn more about the key moments.
Peaceful Past
The Six Senses Shockwave
Board's Legal Failure
Town's Binding Betrayal
Exempting the Invader
Legal Battles & Resident Burden
A New Chapter
Peaceful Past
The Six Senses Shockwave
Board's Legal Failure
Town's Binding Betrayal
Exempting the Invader
Legal Battles & Resident Burden
A New Chapter
Who to Vote For
Make an Informed Decision
OUR ISSUES
Clinton's Conference Center Law is contrary to the town's Comprehensive Plan. Its loopholes are allowing Resort Hotels with lodgings for hundreds of guests, far more for special events, along with Spas, Retail, Restaurants, all in a Residential/Agricultural zone, where Resort Hotels are NOT permitted, simply by claiming guests will participate in an "event".
Our current Town Board led by the incumbent Town Supervisor Michael Whitton and Deputy Supervisor Eliot Werner, has ignored this issue for 2 years, and even enabled such development through a legally dubious settlement currently being challenged in court. While claiming to be protecting the town from lawsuits, their actions are causing lawsuits from their own citizens.
OUR PROCESS
I. Comparison Criteria: We devised a set of criteria to rate incumbent candidates, as well as a set of criteria to rate ALL candidates. As a non-partisan group, we compared and rated each candidate based on their past voting, their statements on the record, as well as conversations they were willing to engage in directly, either one-on-one, group forums like our Webinars, or both.
II. Public Q&A's with Candidates: We reached out to candidates from each party to engage in Webinar-based Q&A's regarding Hotels, Motels & Conference Center zoning concerns in Clinton. Rather than a rambunctious debate we opted for a more friendly Q&A-style with candidates within each major party at separate events. Republicans claimed the October 6th date. Democrats were offered the following week, Oct 13, which was declined, requesting Oct 20 instead. Shortly after they pushed further to Wed Oct 22nd.
III. Revised ratings vs. Endorsements: While we'd expected to provide visitors with simply a number of ratings for each candidate, the choices became crystal clear, and we opted to provide endorsements.
** Concerned Citizens of Clinton is made up of Democrats and Republicans. We've checked any partisanship at the door, and focus 100% on the issues.
THE WEBINARS
1. Listen to this summary of the Webinar Q&A with the Republican candidates (listen here), a spirited and respectful discussion with the moderator, candidates and viewers. CJ Wyant experienced technical difficulties, so a separate conversation was had with members of our group and candidate CJ Wyant.
2. Listen to this summary of the Webinar scheduled with the Democrat candidates (listen here). It consisted of introductions of each candidate then a very brief statement from the incumbent Town Supervisor Michael Whitton expressing dissatisfaction with their initial ratings, then ALL THREE candidates in unison, dropped from the Webinar. Rather than a healthy discourse that might have generated revised ratings (as occurred in a previous Q&A), the candidates as a group, displayed disrespect for the SaveClinton.org Concerned Citizens of Clinton group and all Webinar viewers. The moderator spent 30+ minutes sharing with the viewers much of the history and information surrounding Clinton's Hotels/Motels & Conference Center mess, and why Clinton needs strong leadership in the upcoming election, no matter what party.
ENDORSEMENTS
THE CANDIDATES WE ARE ENDORSING: haven’t always had voting records perfectly aligned with our desires, but we recognize sometimes only hindsight is 20/20. Most importantly, these candidates have expressed overall consistency of thought leadership and a renewed desire to protect the town from ALL new big Resort Hotels. We wholeheartedly support the following candidates:
- Dean Michael (Supervisor)
- Katherine Mustello (Town Board Member)
- CJ Wyant (Town Board Member)
THE CANDIDATES WE CANNOT ENDORSE: are made up of incumbents that have consistently voted against the TOWN’S interests as expressed in the Comprehensive Plan, have failed to fulfill their duties to align zoning law with the Comprehensive Plan, OR in the case of new candidates, have fully aligned with their party's incumbents in public statements. Unfortunately, ALL of these candidates also showed disrespect for Concerned Citizens of Clinton and the voters, so why would we expect different behavior if they're elected? We CANNOT support the following Candidates:
- Michael Whitton (Supervisor)
- Eliot Werner (Town Board Member)
- Sapna Moudgil-Shah (Town Board Member)
WE ALSO CANNOT ENDORSE Hannah Black (Town Board Member). Given her association with Whitton & Werner on the "Team Clinton" party, given she has not been in contact, we must assume she would more likely align with Whitton/Werner if elected.
CANDIDATE RATINGS
ELECT LEADERS WHO SERVE RESIDENTS & UPHOLD THE LAW
A Guide to Clinton Candidates for Town Office
VOTING RECORD: Leaving an identified loophole law in place for 18+ months, to benefit the Six Senses Resort project
Upon learning the Conference Center Law is a loophole around the No-Hotels law with no capacity restrictions and facilitates projects inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, did this incumbent candidate vote to repeal or correct the Conference Center Law to align it with the Comprehensive Plan?
MICHAEL WHITTON
DEM, TC
TOWN SUPERVISOR
ELIOT WERNER
DEM, TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Incumbent
KATHERINE K. MUSTELLO
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
VOTING RECORD: Entering into a legally binding agreement drafted by Six Senses to facilitate the Six Senses Resort project, and override Clinton’s ZBA despite strong residents’ opposition.
Did this incumbent candidate side with residents, support our Zoning Board of Appeals’ ruling by standing up to aggressive legal bullying tactics by voting AGAINST a Six Senses legal agreement designed to legally bind the town and allow the Six Senses Resort project to proceed?
MICHAEL WHITTON
DEM, TC
TOWN SUPERVISOR
ELIOT WERNER
DEM, TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Incumbent
KATHERINE K. MUSTELLO
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
VOTING RECORD: Giving SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS for SOME developers
Did this incumbent side with residents and vote AGAINST giving special exemptions to developers that other applicants won't receive, and reject a Moratorium Law that specifically EXEMPTS resort applicants like Six Senses, even BEFORE permits have been issued?
MICHAEL WHITTON
DEM, TC
TOWN SUPERVISOR
ELIOT WERNER
DEM, TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Incumbent
KATHERINE K. MUSTELLO
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
QUESTION: Are you aware and acknowledge that the Comprehensive Plan is a legally binding zoning framework, not just a suggestion or philosophical thinkpiece to be casually ignored?
The Comprehensive Plan, legally binding, serves as the blueprint for responsible growth in zoning law. Candidates must understand and abide by this fundamental principle of NY’s municipal planning law.
MICHAEL WHITTON
DEM, TC
TOWN SUPERVISOR
DEAN MICHAEL
REP
TOWN SUPERVISOR
ELIOT WERNER
DEM, TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Incumbent
KATHERINE K. MUSTELLO
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
CHARLES J. WYANT JR.
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
SAPNA MOUDGIL-SHAH
DEM
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
HANNAH BLACK
TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
QUESTION: Will you work for and vote to immediately REPEAL the loophole Conference Center law that allows resorts (of any size) in Conservation, Agricultural, and Very Low/Low Density Residential Areas?
This question addresses the need to protect Clinton's rural and agricultural character and prevent inappropriate new development in areas designated for conservation, farming, and low-density residential.
MICHAEL WHITTON
DEM, TC
TOWN SUPERVISOR
DEAN MICHAEL
REP
TOWN SUPERVISOR
ELIOT WERNER
DEM, TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Incumbent
KATHERINE K. MUSTELLO
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
CHARLES J. WYANT JR.
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
SAPNA MOUDGIL-SHAH
DEM
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
HANNAH BLACK
TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
QUESTION: Will you work toward and vote to immediately amend any land-use moratorium or law that exempts residents or businesses without permits in the event more time is needed to repeal the flawed Conference Center law and amend the hotels law?
Equal treatment under the law means no special exceptions or backroom deals. All residents and developers must follow the same rules.
MICHAEL WHITTON
DEM, TC
TOWN SUPERVISOR
DEAN MICHAEL
REP
TOWN SUPERVISOR
ELIOT WERNER
DEM, TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Incumbent
KATHERINE K. MUSTELLO
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
CHARLES J. WYANT JR.
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
SAPNA MOUDGIL-SHAH
DEM
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
HANNAH BLACK
TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
QUESTION: Will you commit to rapidly change any zoning laws that facilitate new development that is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan?
Under New York State law, local zoning laws must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. This also protects our town from costly legal challenges and ensures fair and effective governance.
MICHAEL WHITTON
DEM, TC
TOWN SUPERVISOR
DEAN MICHAEL
REP
TOWN SUPERVISOR
ELIOT WERNER
DEM, TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Incumbent
KATHERINE K. MUSTELLO
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
CHARLES J. WYANT JR.
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
SAPNA MOUDGIL-SHAH
DEM
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
HANNAH BLACK
TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
QUESTION: Will you ensure NY's Town Law best practices are followed, providing explicit objective criteria for the Planning Board and ZBA in zoning matters to reduce administrative burdens and legal risks?
Clear, objective criteria help prevent arbitrary decisions, reduce legal risks, and ensure fair treatment for all applicants. This is why the NY Department of State urges all towns to adopt these best practices.
MICHAEL WHITTON
DEM, TC
TOWN SUPERVISOR
DEAN MICHAEL
REP
TOWN SUPERVISOR
ELIOT WERNER
DEM, TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Incumbent
KATHERINE K. MUSTELLO
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
CHARLES J. WYANT JR.
REP
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
SAPNA MOUDGIL-SHAH
DEM
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
HANNAH BLACK
TC
TOWN COUNCILMEMBER
Based on voting records for incumbents, or public statements.
Understanding the Ratings
This candidate's positions and voting record support residents' interests and community protection.
This candidate's positions or voting record raise concerns for residents and community protection.
This candidate has not made their position clear on this issue. Ask them where they stand.
SaveClinton.org responds to Democrat candidate written claims.
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