If you couldn’t make it to our Meet Marie Meltz event at Chatham Brewing on September 15th, we wanted to share a little piece of the evening with you! Here’s what Marie shared with us that evening:

“My family and I have been residents of Ghent since 2012, previously residing in Claverack since 1989. We have owned a business, Ghent Wood Products, since 2003. I have worked in the family business since 2005, overseeing the daily operations of the business. We have actively grown our business and I have had multiple occasions to work with the Town of Ghent Planning Department, Zoning Board of Appeals and Building Inspectors from the applicant side of the table.

Politically, I have always been registered as an Independent. I have no ties to either major political party which is why the Connect Ghent line is appealing to me. I am not owned by either major political party. I am here to represent all the people of Ghent – whether you are a “local,” a “transplant “ or a “newbie” — we are all in this together. I want to hear from you — what are your concerns, what are your worries, what is going well in the Town of Ghent? I cannot promise that I will have all the answers but I will help you find the answers!

I am interested in continuing the great work that I have seen demonstrated by our current Town Board, including the Committee for Affordable/Accessible Housing. It is important that our children can stay here to raise their families if they choose to. As equally important is our older population; I think we need to make sure they can age in place if they desire—with assistance as needed. They need to have access to safe and affordable housing if they require it.

Since joining the town council, I have been actively participating with our recent Community Day, working with our seniors at their monthly Chatham/Ghent Seniors group, and joining the Advisory Board for the Columbia County Office for the Aging.

By having a business background, I bring fiscal responsibility to the table, understanding how budgets and expense accounts work. We need to continue the work that we have completed with the current board and continue with sustainable growth and smart development.

Please elect me to continue to serve you as a Town Councilwoman in November!” – Marie Meltz

Join us for breakfast at the Ghent VFW on Sunday, October 4 between 8:00 am – 11:00 am.

As a local committee, Connect Ghent is funded by our neighbors. While national parties and PACs often provide cash for local campaigns, we keep it simple and local. This is grassroots democracy in action!

For tickets, call or text 518-956-0575 or email us at connectghent at gmail dot com.

We’re called Connect Ghent, and we mean it!

What better way to connect with your neighbors than a free event where everyone is welcome? Come out, meet Marie, and spend time with your neighbors. All Ghent voters, regardless of party registration, are invited.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Chatham Brewing
59 Main Street

All Ghent voters are invited to this free event on Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30 pm. Come meet Marie and spend some time with your neighbors at this nonpartisan event. Refreshments will be served along with a cash bar.

As a nonpartisan community organization, we believe local elections should focus on the people, ideas, and issues that matter most to Ghent, not on political party affiliation.  Here are some of the top reasons why we love nonpartisan local governance:

 

1.     There is no “us vs. them.” There is only us.

In Ghent, we’re neighbors first. Nonpartisan local government keeps the focus on working together for the entire community, not political teams.

2.     Character matters more than party.

Candidates are judged by their integrity, work ethic, and commitment to serving Ghent, not by the letter next to their name.

3.     Good people shouldn’t be overlooked because of politics.

Nonpartisan elections give every qualified resident the opportunity to serve their community, no matter their party line.

4.     The best candidates can come from anywhere.

In a town of about 5,000 residents, every qualified person brings unique skills and experiences. Nonpartisan elections encourage a broader pool of candidates, giving voters more choices and strengthening local government.

5.     The campaign ends. The collaboration begins.

Nonpartisan local government encourages leaders to work together after the election because they share the same responsibility: serving the people of Ghent.

6.     What’s best for Ghent?

Without party labels, decisions can be guided by one simple principle: doing what’s best for our community.

7.     The best ideas win.

Ideas are judged on their value, not on who proposed them. Nonpartisan local government encourages practical solutions that improve everyday life in Ghent.

8.     Neighbors come before politics.

In a small town, we see each other every day. We may not always agree on every issue, but we all care deeply about Ghent and its future. Nonpartisan local government helps keep that common purpose at the center of every conversation.

9.     Local decisions stay local.

Every level of government has different responsibilities. Nonpartisan local government helps ensure Ghent’s priorities are shaped by the needs of our community.

10. Local government has a clearly defined role.

Nonpartisan local government helps keep the focus on the responsibilities entrusted to our Town, not on broader political debates. That means spending our time improving roads, parks, public safety, town services, planning, and the quality of life for everyone in Ghent.

If you live in or around Ghent, you know that a powerful storm tore through our area on the evening of July 2.  Though everyone was prepared to enjoy a long weekend of Independence Day celebrations, we were instead reminded of the value of interdependence.

Over the past four days, our town’s elected officials demonstrated the spirit of Connect Ghent:  We are neighbors working together to do what’s best for Ghent.  Here are just a few examples of how our Board reached out across our community—

1. Delivered dry ice and drinking water to vulnerable neighbors who lost power for days
2. Cleared roads with their personal equipment (and muscle!) to allow passage of emergency vehicles
3. Arranged an emergency propane delivery for an elderly couple who relies on their generator for a life-preserving medical device
4. Monitored the generator at Town Hall to ensure the Ghent Food Pantry’s refrigerators and freezers maintained safe temperatures during the power outage
5. Provided regular public updates on the recovery from the storm
6. Checked in on dozens of residents who might need some extra support
7. Coordinated with NYSEG to get power restored, including prioritizing our neighbors who are elderly or ill

You may be surprised to read that Town Councilmembers earn only $3,895 per year.  The folks in these roles certainly aren’t doing it for the money—they are doing it for the love of our town and their care for our neighbors. 

Our elected officials played a minor role in the overall recovery; the heavy lifting was done by Ghent’s most excellent Highway Department, our Volunteer Fire Companies, our partners in neighboring towns and villages, and many other public servants as well. This all happened on a holiday weekend, in a heatwave, without electricity or internet, and with messes to attend to at their own homes. 

Connect Ghent is grateful to you all!