Election day has finally come, as candidates stagger to the finish line with little left in the tank.
In Woodstock, there is only one seat in question, as Republicans, facing a daunting demographic deficit of more than three-to-one in registration to the Democrats, did not even hold a caucus this year, deciding not to field any candidates. That left the Democrats, as they are wont to do, to scramble and fight amongst themselves. The by now well known controversy happened over primary election petitions, with Richard Heppner and Lorin Rose gaining approval from local Democrats, while Barry Samuels petitions were challenged in court and he was denied a spot on the ballot, having listed his preferred position as ‘Town Board’ rather than the required ‘Town Council.’
Samuels decided to stay in the general election race as a write in candidate, while Heppner and Rose will have lines on the ballot.
Supervisor Bill McKenna is unopposed for what will be his first elected term in the top spot and town justice Richard Husted will return to his post unchallenged.
Three vie for two seats in Shandaken
On Election Day, Shandaken residents will vote for two out of three candidates running for town board. Nancy Holgate is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. Incumbent Faye Storms is on the Democratic and Independence Party tickets. Kevin Van Blarcum, an enrolled Democrat, is on the ballot for Democratic, Conservative, Independence, and A Better Shandaken parties.
Holgate was a scoutmaster for 30 years, works for a Shandaken town justice, and sees supporting the local economy as a primary issue. Storms, a successful businesswoman, hopes to serve for a second term and work toward increasing the amount of affordable housing in Shandaken. Van Blarcum, 27, is a Shandaken native and wants to make the region more viable for young people to stay in town and raise families.
Town supervisor Rob Stanley and highway superintendent Eric Hofmeister are unopposed for re-election, as is Incumbent assessor Peter DiModica, and Town justices Tom Crucet, a Republican, and Michael Miranda, a Democrat.
Parete, Nolan, Faintych in three way legislative race
The three way race for the county legislature is the only contested election in the town of Olive — the district also includes Shandaken, Denning and Hardenburgh.
The spirited contest pits incumbent John Parete, who lost both Democratic and Republican primaries but nonetheless maintains ballot lines on the Conservative and Independence parties, against Democratic primary winner Kathy Nolan and Republican primary victor Cliff Faintych.
Olive Supervisor Sylvia Rozzelle is running unopposed for her third two year term after 35 years as town clerk; incumbent town clerk Dawn Giuditta will win her second term in Rozzelle’s former position; Democrat Jim Sofranko, is unopposed for a second term on the town council, as is town justice Tim Cox, who’s been endorsed by both parties.
Republican’s incumbent councilman Scott Kelder will win an unopposed second four year term, and incumbent highway supervisor Brian Burns, will grab his first full term after being appointed by the town board a couple of years ago and elected to a single year fill-in term last November on Republican, Conservative and Democratic lines.
Hurley
In Hurley, its the first race for town supervisor in decades that doesn’t feature longtime office holder Gary Bellows. Democratic candidate supervisor Tracey Kellogg, a former Woodstock town supervisor, will be making her third bid for the office, against Republican John Perry.
Republican Lee Winne of Old Hurley will occupy the GOP line for town highway superintendent, a seat left open by the retirement of Clyde Russell, against Mike Shultis, one time town supervisor, who is on the Democratic line.
Facing off for town council will be Democratic candidates Jasmine Jordaan and Michael Boms against longstanding Republican incumbents Barbara Zell and Janet Briggs.
Neither of the town’s justices are up for election this election. Town clerk Judy Mayhon, a Democrat, will be seeking her sixth term unchallenged.
Voting back at Woodstock Community Center
Woodstock voters from districts 1, 4, 7 and 8, who for the past several years have voted at the Woodstock Rescue Squad Building, will return to the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center, 56 Rock City Road, this year, now that the Community Center’s renovation has been completed.
If you are unsure as to the district in which you live, call the town clerk’s office, 679-2113, ext. 14, or the Ulster County Board of elections, 845-334-5470. Polls are open 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 7.
Where to vote, General election.
Woodstock polling centers
District 2 Lake Hill Firehouse, 4128 Route 212
District 5, 9 Woodstock Fire Company No. 2, 367 Wittenberg Rd.
District 3, 6 Zena Firehouse, 443 Zena Rd.
District 1, 4, 7, 8 Mescal Hornbeck Community Center, 56 Rock City Road
Shandaken
District 1 Phoenicia Firehouse, Route 214
District 2 Shandaken Town Hall, Route 28
District 3 Pine Hill Firehouse, Main St.
District 4 Mount Tremper Firehouse
Olive
District 1 Shokan Legion Hall, Mountain Rd.
District 2 Olive Free Library, 4033 Route 28A
District 3 Samsonville Church Hall
District 4 Olivebridge Firehouse, Mill Road
District 5 Boiceville Firehouse, Route 28
Hurley
District 1, 3, 5, 7 West Hurley Firehouse, Wall St.
District 2, 6, 4, 8 Town Hall, 10 Wamsley Place
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