Republican Alice Cone, left and Democrat Carol Quirk, right, candidates for Babylon Town Clerk. Two women who have been longtime volunteers in their communities are running for Babylon Town Clerk. The two, Carol Quirk, a former Town Councilwoman who was appointed to the seat in May, and Alice T. Cone, of North Babylon, both said they wanted the support of the Babylon Town residents because they believe they can do a good job of serving constituents, preserving town documents and making government more accessible to people.

The race is for the one-year unexpired term of Colbert, who moved on to a county post. Whichever candidate wins will have to run again in November of 2009 for a full, four-year term.

"I am not happy with the fact that everyone in Town government is of one party," said Cone, a Republican, in explaining what prompted her to move from a neighborhood activist and president of the Belmont Lakes Civic Association to a candidate. "We need to have more voices and a better system of checks and balances."Quirk, who is running on the Democratic line said that her opponent has forgotten that Lindsay Henry, an Independence Party candidate, is a member of the Town Board.

"We are not ruling from Washington," said Quirk. "We are riding the same streets and shopping in the same stores as the people we serve, so there is a closer connection and less politics at the Town level."

Quirk said she has enjoyed the six months she's served in the position, and would like to continue to make the office of the Town Clerk even more user friendly. "I want to have more forms online so that people can download them and understand what documents they need so that we can help them quickly and efficiently."

Cone said she's not happy with the Town's attention, or lack there of, to her community and believes that she can be a voice in Town government. Quirk points out that the position of Town Clerk is a non policy making and non voting post.

"I think that if she really wants to make changes, she should have run for Town Board," said Quirk. Cone responded that even without voting powers, she can raise her voice and speak up when she sees something that needs to be done. Specifically, she points to the construction of the Belmont Estates housing project, a project that her organization opposed. "Despite that, the board voted to approve it and it is now vacant," said Cone.

"The builder went bankrupt and the property is now in the hands of the bank," said Quirk. "Those are not things that are within the Town's control."

The office of Town Clerk is responsible for the maintenance and historical preservation of all Town documents. They dog permits, fishing, bingo and dozens of other permits to Town residents and maintain birth and death certificates. The Town Clerk is authorized to officiate at marriages.

"It's a wonderful job and it really allows you to help people at some of the most critical times of their lives," said Quirk.

"I have been involved in my community for 45 years and I would like to move into this new direction to be a stronger voice for the people of Babylon," said Cone.