When we spoke with the mayor late last year, he still wasn’t sure he’d seek another term. Based on our conversation with him this week, it’s clear he’s in.
Murphy said he had to think long and hard about seeking re-election this year, saying he was “just a bit hesitant for the reasons: One, my girls are getting older and busier with sports and family always comes first. Two, my hoop league [he runs the Saugerties youth basketball league] is bigger than ever and takes up a lot of time, but it means everything to me and I would never give it up. Three, I have been taking a larger job role at IBM and am busier with my 9-to-5 job. But I have been able to balance it for five years, largely in part to having a great board, office staff and most importantly, a wife and kids who always have my back.”
Murphy said he originally ran for his office because of his mom: “She always said I’d be mayor.”
Murphy is a fifth-generation Saugertiesian and was elected to the board as a trustee in 2003. He was re-elected in 2005, 2007 and again in 2009. When former Mayor Robert Yerick stepped down in Feb. 2010, Murphy was selected to replace him. He was elected mayor in 2011.
The election will be held March 18 at village hall, 43 Partition St.