Rooted in tradition, growing toward the future.....
Fred Hutchinson for Town Supervisor & Penny Coulson-Sanchez and Carl Quinn for Town Council.
2025 Candidates For Ghent Town Board
Fred Hutchinson For Ghent Town Supervisor
Penny Coulson- Sanchez For Ghent Town Council
Penny Coulson- Sanchez For Ghent Town Council
My name is Fred Hutchinson. I grew up in Castleton, just about 15 minutes from the Town of Ghent. In 2001, I moved my family to the Village of Chatham, where we rented a small two-bedroom apartment for $750 a month, heat and hot water included. In 2005, we bought our first home in the Town of Ghent, and Ghent has been my home ever since.
I’ve raised three children here, with each of them attending the Chatham Central School District for the entirety of their high school careers. My eldest son graduated in 2014, after accruing hundreds of hours of community service, and working very closely with the Sean’s Run organization. My middle son has two State Championships with the Chatham Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team, and was recognized for his athleticism in Football, as well as for his work on student government. My youngest son is known for his theater involvement, first with the CCYT organization, and also with the Middle and High School productions. He is also the starting Varsity Soccer goalie. Needless to say, I am very proud of my boys, specifically for their hard work and dedication to this community.
I myself have served as a school board member, and school board president on two different occasions. As a 22 year volunteer soccer coach with the Crellin-Morris Association, and a founding member of the FC Columbia soccer program, I like to think that they learned some of the lessons that I had aimed to teach them as they were growing up. Namely, that if you love a community, you need to find a way to serve that community.
I am running for Ghent Town Supervisor with that mission in mind. I want to serve the community that has helped me to raise such wonderful kids. I also want to make it possible for these terrific young men to remain in this community as residents, if they so choose. High rents, impossibly high mortgages, and a rising average cost of living threaten these hopes, however. Moreover, student enrollment is in rapid decline in all four of the schools that serve Ghent students, and the sense of community – the same one that I was fortunate enough to have raised my family in – is beginning to disappear.
This November 4th, please consider voting for me as your Town Supervisor. I will work with the Town Board, and with the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, to maintain these values and preserve our history, making living here affordable again, and raising a quality of life that embraces generations to come
Penny Coulson- Sanchez For Ghent Town Council
Penny Coulson- Sanchez For Ghent Town Council
Penny Coulson- Sanchez For Ghent Town Council
I'm Penny Coulson-Sanchez. I grew up on a dairy farm in Old Chatham, graduated from Chatham High School, and after years away, I chose to come home to Ghent. Serving this community would be an honor. I have years of managerial experience which has taught me how to deal with varied situations and people on a daily basis.
Why am I running now? These are challenging times for our country and our town; now feels right for me to step up to serve Ghent.
Our challenges need action, not just talk:
Community: Ghent is a beautiful town without a center. The sense of community varies depending on where in Ghent one is located. Looking out for seniors and children should be a
natural, ‘it takes a village’. I would research and develop programs at both end of the age spectrum to help unify this community.
Housing: Families are being priced out of their own community. I will pursue grants and partner with Habitat for Humanity and any other organizations to bring real solutions.
Supporting Farmers: Agriculture built this community. I will ensure that our farmers are aware of and can access every available grant and program.
My colleagues describe me as intelligent, fair, trustworthy, responsive, responsible and
friendly. These aren't just words—they're how I'll serve you.
I'm not running against anyone. I'm running FOR everyone in Ghent
This November 4th, please consider voting for me as your Town Council member. I will work with the Town Board, and with the community to make Ghent all that we know it can be.
Carl Quinn For Ghent Town Council
Penny Coulson- Sanchez For Ghent Town Council
Carl Quinn For Ghent Town Council
I’d like to take a minute to reintroduce myself to those of you who know me and to introduce myself for the first time for those of you that don’t. My name is Carl Quinn. I am a life-long Columbia County resident. Born in Hudson and raised right here in Columbia County. I graduated from Chatham High School, Class of 1987 (Go Panthers!) with a NYS Regent’s Diploma in Science and French.
In 1997, I met the love of my life, Laurie. She moved here from Syracuse with her 2 boys in 1998 and in 2000 we bought our home here in Ghent and raised our 2 sons in the community I still call home. Sadly, Laurie passed away suddenly in 2021 from a brain aneurysm. In an instant, our lives as we knew them were shattered.
I’ve always had a strong connection to our community and love that I had the opportunity to grow up here, build a life here, and call this community my home. In the hope of continuing that, and to give others the same opportunities I’ve had here, I’ve decided to run for a seat on the Ghent Town Board in the 2025 election to be held on Tuesday November 4th. I know firsthand the challenges, hardships, opportunities, and joys that residents face in our community. And I believe my experience can serve to help others in same or similar situations as mine. I genuinely care deeply about this community and its’ residents’.
In the past, I co-founded 2 community non-profits that have continued to grow, prosper, and remain active today. Through my past involvement in those organizations, I have sat with some of you while you held the hand of your loved one as they took their last breath from cancer ravaging their body. Their life stolen way before their time. We’ve planned funerals and celebrations of life together. I’ve been with others in the community after a fire tore through your family home taking your memories and leaving you feeling alone and not sure what your next steps are. We’ve been at fundraisers, town halls, and community meetings together. I’ve spoken to many of you who have a loved one battling a substance use disorder and weren’t sure where to turn for help. We’ve worked together to come up with suggestions and future plans for them. I’ve been there when you’ve lost a loved one to an overdose; young lives snuffed out in an instant from a disease that some struggle to understand. I’ve been here for this community in the past and I will continue to be here for this community in the future. The same way this community has been here for me and my family. In the end, we’re all just walking each other home.
In my professional work I have collaborated with County agencies, Lawyers, Judges, Town Supervisors, Mayors, Law Enforcement, Housing organizations, County service providers from Substance Treatment to Department of Social Services, to Mental Health, Probation and Care Coordination. I’ve built STRONG relationships that give me firsthand experience in knowing how to reach out, who to reach out to and build a consensus, and how to put a plan in place to get things done. I hope to have the opportunity to continue to do great things for the community we love and call home. Please vote on November 4th.
Our Mission
The Ghent Democratic Committee is led by David Bly. As we prepare for Election 2025, we strive to engage citizens and encourage participation in the democratic process, ensuring that every voice is heard as we work together for EVERYONE in the Town of Ghent.
Contact Us
Better yet, make a plan to meet us!
"A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy, educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership." - Chinua Achebe. As we approach Election 2025, it's crucial for Ghent democrats and residents of Ghent NY to engage actively in their local governance. Click the map image to look up your election district and stay informed about the Ghent Town Board's activities.
We look forward to the members of the Ghent Democratic Community getting involved with us and working to make our community all that it can be!
Donate Now to the Ghent Democratic Committee
If you don't wish to make an online donation, you may mail a check made out to the Ghent Democratic Committee to PO Box 136, Ghent, NY 12075