Saugerties Democratic Committee News

By Mike Harkavy

It’s not too early to think about the 2009 town and county elections
In 2009, Saugerties residents will be electing a Town Supervisor, two Town Board members, a Town Justice, a Highway Superintendent, Town Clerk/Registrar, Tax Collector, and four Ulster County legislators.

Over the past seven years the Saugerties Democratic Committee has introduced the community to a new way of recruiting candidates for town and county elected offices, and the results have been tremendous. We started with the core belief that winning elections just for the sake of “winning” and “getting control” of the town or county doesn’t serve any purpose if the people who get elected aren’t good at governing.

In addition to encouraging Saugerties Democrats, Independents and non-enrolled voters to get involved in campaigns, either as candidates or volunteers, we also established a search committee to meet with people who were considering running, to answer questions they might have about what it takes to mount a campaign and to outline the organizational and volunteer support we offer candidates who receive our Democratic endorsements.

I encourage any resident of Saugerties who is interested in running for any of the offices listed above to give me a call at 246-7493 or email me at mharkavy@hvc.rr.com.

Congratulations to March Gallagher
County Executive Mike Hein has appointed committee member March Gallagher as Deputy Director of Planning for Economic Development. She will be serving in a dual role reporting to both the Director of Planning Dennis Doyle and directly to the County Executive. March will be implementing several of the recommendations of the Economic Development Task Force convened by the County Executive as well as some of the strategy items identified in the Ulster Tomorrow Economic Development Strategy. Specifically with respect to Saugerties, March will be closely following and lending support of the County Executive’s office on the master planning for Winston Farm and on the completion of the shovel ready project on Kings Highway.

Valentine’s Day Party
The Saugerties Democratic Committee invites you to a relaxed, informal, fun-filled Valentine’s Day Party beginning at 8pm, on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at Total Tennis (1811 Old Kings Highway, Saugerties). There will be great live music by Too Much Fun (a great hit at the Rip Van Winkle boat ride supporting Barack Obama), dancing, raffles, desserts and beverages, along with a cash bar. The cost is a recession special $15.00 per person. Please RSVP to Harriet at 246-1138.

We’ve found a new home
The Saugerties Democratic Committee will be meeting on the third Monday of the month, at 7pm at the Muddy Cup/Inquiring Minds at the corner of Partition and Main Streets. Our next meeting is on January 19th.