Recreation chairman resigns

AMENIA - Peter Clair, who has served six years as chairman of the town's Recreation Commission, has submitted his resignation to the Town Board.

Clair's term was renewed in May and extended to 2014. He said he is resigning because he doesn't have time for it anymore due to work commitments.

"Being chairman is something you cannot do unless you give it 100 percent, that's why I've decided to walk away from it," Clair said. "Because I have had so many things going on, I was getting burned out. I took three months off last year but work was still getting very busy for me."

Clair works as a salesperson for Ginsberg Foods in Hudson and still will volunteer to help out with various recreation programs when he can.

"I will help with the transition with whoever takes the position over," he said. "As far as the position goes, you need someone who has the willingness to be part of the [Recreation Commission] and who wants to volunteer their time to complete the work that needs to be done, no matter what it is, from bookkeeping to creating programs."

Interim chairman Tom Werner had nothing but kind words for Clair.

"I think he did an excellent job," Werner said. "He is the best public relations person we had and he was perfect at getting the word out about programs. We feel bad that he chose to leave, but I think the reasons are justifiable."

Councilwoman Vicki Doyle said the town appreciates the time Clair has put into the commission.

"He has served very capably," Doyle said. "No one has to serve for the rest of their lives, so we appreciate the time he has put in."

She said the opening on the committee will be advertised and the board probably would not have any problems filling the opening.

"We have been very lucky to have all kinds of volunteers apply for a wide range of positions," she said. "We have not had any difficulty so far in filling [board openings]. So far, we have had an embarrassment of riches when it comes to volunteers."