Jeanette Wolfberg is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Hudson Board of Education April 21, promoted Paul Stalker to head maintenance worker. Stalker joins head of maintenance James Boyle, in taking over the responsibilities of now former superintendent of buildings and grounds George Keeler. Keeler was employed by the district for 21 years and retired in March. Boyle joined the district last summer; Stalker has served as a district maintenance mechanic for 17 years. “It was a positive experience for me, and I hope it was a positive experience for all the folks I interacted with,” Keeler said. Keeler has lived in Columbia County his entire life, grew up in Claverack, graduated from Hudson High School in 1975, and joined Claverack's A.B. Shaw Fire Company that same year. With a background in machinery and equipment repair, he also ran his own equipment business. Keeler is now Columbia County fire coordinator. He said his goals in that position include the completion of a new training center for emergency services in Ghent. Keeler noted all fire departments in Columbia County are facing the same challenges: recruitment of new members, retention of existing members, and replacement of retirees. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.