Saugerties Republican councilman James Bruno has announced his run for town supervisor. Bruno said in a recent interview that he “loves helping people,” and as supervisor that’s what he intends to do.
Incumbent Greg Helsmoortel has announced that he will not seek reelection as town supervisor.
Bruno said he hopes to get his party’s nomination to run in the June caucus. He is also seeking the Conservative and Independence lines as well. If the Democrats would like to cross-endorse him, he said, “That would be great, too.”
“I have some good ideas that I’d like to see done in the town,” Bruno said. His number-one idea is to consolidate more services with the village of Saugerties.
A number of years ago, the village and town police departments merged under the auspices of the town, and last year the village and town signed a joint working agreement whereby the town’s road department and village Department of Public Works share services.
“I’d work closely with village mayor Billy Murphy and the village trustees to make this happen,” Bruno added.
Bruno who lives in the Barclay Heights section of Saugerties with his wife Kathy, was born and raised in Saugerties. He worked for IBM. After IBM left Ulster County, Bruno formed Timbest Inc., which developed the 163-lot Bishops Gate subdivision.
He is a past chair of the town’s Comprehensive Planning Board, a former member of the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and a member of the Glasco Fire Company. He is now the town’s deputy supervisor.
“Elected officials should do what’s right for Saugerties,” Bruno said. “I love what I do and want to continue that.” Bruno said No other candidates for supervisor have yet thrown their hat into the ring.
Join the family! 
