Tuesday marks Primary Day in Sullivan County and there are many hotly contested races seeking the nomination of a Political Party leading up to the general election on November 5th.
Only those registered to vote in that political party with a primary contest can vote and ultimately decide who gets their party’s nomination.
Every vote counts and literally one or two votes can sway the outcome of this election and possibly the November election. Although this Primary election will cost county taxpayers thousands upon thousands of dollars, it is necessary to give the electorate a fair and balanced election.
There is no countywide primary. All contests are related to specific townships and enrolled voters in a particular political party.
In the Town of Bethel there is a Democratic Primary for Town Supervisor, Town Council and Highway Superintendent. There is also a Republican Primary for Highway Superintendent.
Popular Democratic Town Supervisor Daniel Sturm is once again facing a challenge from Judith Maidenbaum owner of the Fat Lady Restaurant. The last time Maidenbaum challenged Sturm it was in the General Election when she ran on an Independent Line.
Three people are running for the Democratic nomination for Town Council in Bethel. Incumbent Democratic Councilwoman Lillian Hendrickson is seeking the nomination along with former Bethel Democratic chairwoman Dawn Ryder, and Timothy Colaianni.
Running for Highway Superintendent is William Crumley and Ira Moose Liff. On the Republican side, Ronald K Weiss is running against James P Crowley, Jr. for Highway Superintendent. In the
In the Town of Liberty there is a Conservative and Independence Party Primary for Town Judge.
Although sitting Judge Harold Bauman has received the official backing of the Conservative and Independence Party leadership, because of election laws that allows anyone seeking the nomination of a judgeship to run in a primary, Town of Liberty Republican Party Chairman John Lennon is also seeking the Conservative and Independence Party nomination.
Bauman is an attorney with vast legal experience. He also serves in an official capacity in the New York State Magistrates Association and has a law named after him. He also has the endorsement of the Democratic Party.
Lennon is retired from the Town of Liberty Highway Department and has the endorsement of the Republican Party.
In the Town of Thompson there are several hotly contested primaries between several popular names. Running for the Republican nomination for Town Supervisor is Gerald Fielding and Ramon Cedeira.
Fielding is a well established and respected businessman, while Cedeira shocked everyone when he received nearly 40 percent of the vote when he ran against Anthony Cellini who ran on the Democratic, Republican, Conservative, and Independence lines.
The victor of the Republican Primary for Supervisor will face former Town Councilman and realtor Bill Rieber. Political insiders give Rieber the edge in the November Election.
On the Democratic side there is a hotly contested race for Town Council. Incumbent Richard Sush is running as well as former Village of Monticello Trustee Victor Marinello and businessman John Pavese. The top two vote getters will receive the Democratic nomination.
All eyes will be on the race for Town Judge, as popular Town Judge Marty Miller faces a challenge from popular Town Councilwoman Sharon Jankiewicz in a Conservative and Independence Party Primary.
Despite what happens, Miller and Jankiewicz will face each other in the General Election. Miller has the backing of the Democratic Party, while Jankiewicz has the backing of the Republican Party.
The Town of Mamakating is always known for major political battles and this year is no different. There is a Republican Primary for Town Supervisor with incumbent Supervisor Harold Baird running against John Moul, and a Democratic Primary for Town Judge, with popular incumbent Judge Marcelle Matthews facing a challenge from Cynthia Dolan.
There is even a Primary for Mamakating Republican Committee Seats in Mamakating District 2. John J Lavelle Jr, Richard D Johnson Jr, Morris C Smith, and John Moul are running for a position that seats two.
In the General Election the Rural Heritage Party makes an appearance in Mamakating with a slate of candidates.
In the Town of Tusten there are Primaries for two seats for Town Justice. Running in the Democratic Primary are Thomas Nuttycombe, Charles Hoffman and Carmine Rufrano. Running in the Republican Primary are Charles Hoffman, Thomas Nuttycombe and David M Casey. In the Independence Primary are Charles Hoffman, David M Casey, Thomas H Nuttycombe, and Carmine Rufrano.
There is a Democratic Primary for Town Council between Jane Luchsinger, Eileen Falk and Andrea Reynosa.
On the Republican side there is a primary for Highway Superintendent between Lewis Meckle III, and Glenn A Swendsen.
In Tusten there is even a Democratic Committee Primary in Tusten 1 between Norman J Meyer, Thomas J Prendergast, Francis Cape and Eileen Falk.
In the Town of Neversink there are Conservative and Independence Primaries for Town Judge between Mary Grace Conneely and Brian Edwards. In the General Election Mary Grace Conneely has the Democratic nod, while Edwards has the Republican nod.
Town of Freemont there is a Republican Primary for Town Council. Doris Sharp, Paul Brustman, and Louis Milucky are running. The top two vote getters will receive the Republican Party backing.
And finally, in Lumberland there is a Primary for Town Council on the Republican Line between Jenny Mellan, David Leamon and James Akt. The top two vote getters will go on to the November elections.
We often hear people complain, while taking no action. If you are not pleased with the way our government is being run, and want to take it in a different direction, you can do something about it. If you are happy with the course we are on you will also have the opportunity to show your support of those elected officials whom you feel are deserving of being reelected. The decision and opportunity is yours, but your participation is necessary.
Please vote Tuesday if there is a primary associated with the party you are registered.
For a complete list of this year’s primary elections in Sullivan County
please visit:
http://webapps.co.sullivan.ny.us/docs/BOE/2013_Primary_Candidate_List.pdf
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.