Sterling seeks 1st Ward supervisor spot  (Note error this is Alderman spot!)

By Jamie Larson



HUDSON — Former Hudson 1st Ward Alderwoman Sarah Sterling has announced that she will seek the Democratic endorsement to run for the position again. The 1st Ward has the only council seats with three candidates vying for the two possible party endorsements.

Sterling will interview with the Hudson Democratic Committee Tuesday along with current 1st Ward Alderwoman Carole Osterink, and former Deputy County Democratic Commissioner Geeta Cheddie.


Sarah Sterling
Current 1st Ward Alderwoman Carrie Haddad will not be seeking re-election.

Sterling said Haddad told her last week that she was not running and encouraged Sterling to try and take her place on the ticket.

Sterling gave up her seat in 2007 to run for council president, a race she lost to current Department of Public Works Superintendent Robert Perry. She said in her two years out of City Hall she has missed representing her ward and being a part of the process.

“I love being here,” she said. “I get along with all segments of the population, I have a good financial background, [and] I feel like I can make a difference.”

When Sterling, a local real-estate broker and fine art photographer, represented the 1st Ward she was council majority leader, chaired the Police and Fire Committees, as well as the Industrial Development Agency. She was also a member of the Hudson Development Corporation, the Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency, and the council committees for finance, legal, youth and aging, arts and entertainment, and worked on the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.

The LWRP and the Hudson Beautification Committee are two issues Sterling said she cares about deeply. She is also volunteering at the Hudson Youth Center’s new garden.

Sterling said she also has good ties to the local business community and would like to work on getting them to work together more to better the Hudson economy. “Right now they’re a group of individuals, and it’s been traditionally unconnected,” she said, adding, “I think more can be done.”

Sterling said when she previously held the seat she had worked on new zoning for the city, and would like to continue that task if elected. She said there are inconsistencies and old constrictions in the zoning law that need to be changed. She would also put the creation of a new city Police Department and City Court high on the list of priorities.

Sterling had considered running for council president again this year but said she feels the Democratic selection of Donald Moore to be their candidate was the right one. She said the entire Democratic ticket is strong and backs Osterink to remain endorsed by the Democratic Committee.

“I think her experience is invaluable,” Sterling said. “She’s been a tireless worker on behalf of the city.”

To reach reporter Jamie Larson, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2269, or e-mail jlarson@registerstar.com.