Outgoing Niskayuna Town Supervisor Jaime Puccioni released a statement Thursday, saying one of the reasons she was stepping down on Sept. 1 was because politics had become dangerous and she was worried about her safety. 

In a statement released to the media, the second-term Democrat stated that she and other town employees have been subject to "countless threats and verbal assaults over the years."

She said she initially planned to depart quietly, but decided she needed to comment because she had recently become "increasingly concerned for my personal safety.”

“The latest situation involving an individual who made racist and threatening comments to me is not an isolated incident," she stated. "For me, the final straw was having to be escorted out of the last two Town Board meetings by police officers because I felt threatened by this individual’s aggressive behavior. Sadly, this scenario is becoming all too common."

Puccioni is returning to a full-time faculty position at the University at Albany.

Niskayuna is a suburban town in Schenectady County. Puccioni won reelection to a two-year term last year, according to the Schenectady County Board of Elections, defeating Republican Brian Backus 3,515 to 2,442.

According to the town website, Deputy Supervisor Joseph Drescher will serve as acting town supervisor as the Town Board works with Town Attorney Alaina Finan to determine the next steps, which may include the appointment of an individual to serve out the remainder of the town supervisor term.

Here is Puccioni's full statement: 

“The latest situation involving an individual who made racist and threatening comments to me is not an isolated incident. For me, the final straw was having to be escorted out of the last two Town Board meetings by police officers because I felt threatened by this individual’s aggressive behavior. Sadly, this scenario is becoming all too common. Locally, regionally and nationally, politics has become too polarizing and combative. To put it simply, it has become dangerous. And this was one of the factors that influenced my decision to leave public office.

“I, along with other town employees, have been subject to countless threats and verbal assaults over the years. The public discourse has become increasingly toxic and divisive, especially over the past several months with the escalation of disrespectful and hostile behavior by telephone, email, and at town board meetings. That must end. I hope that Town residents treat the new administration with respect, and I hope the town board and new supervisor reciprocate that respect.

“While I initially planned to leave quietly and focus on my future, it became apparent that I needed to comment on some of the things that I’ve dealt with over the last few years, and how recently I have become increasingly concerned for my personal safety.”