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Art Baer: 'It's not my intention to run'
Jun 19, 2015 12:03 am
Hillsdale Town Supervisor Art Baer has announced he will not seek re-election in November. The 12-year veteran of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors broke the news in an interview with Victor Mendolia on WGXC ,Wed., Jun. 17: PLAY (00:42) Baer is a Long Island native, and he moved to the affluent southern county town of Hillsdale 30 years ago. He has an extensive business background, including general management positions in a variety of service businesses. He is also the former dean of Drexel University's School of Business. Baer is a former chairman of the Board of Supervisors. His tenure was marred by an attempt in 2009, to destabilize the county seat by moving essential services and the county Department of Social Services away from Hudson to an abandoned school in Claverack. He also spearheaded a proposal to house the county's homeless in a historic landmark hotel located in the center of the city's downtown. Baer was elected as a Republican and later as a Democrat. The Board of Supervisors last week chose Baer, and Supervisor John Reilly of Gallatin, to conduct an independent audit of loan procedures of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation. His term will end December 31.