Four Dems Vie for Two Seats on Cortlandt Town Board

Four Demcratic candidates have come forward to run for two open town board seats on the Cortlandt town board.

Earlier this month, the Cortlandt Democratic Committee endorsed Deborah Costello and Seth Freach as its candidates for two seats on the Cortlandt town board. The seats became open when longtime councilmembers John Sloan and Ann Lindau Martin announced that they aren't running for re-election this year.

Almost a week later, Brian Pugh and Domenick Volpe announced that they are running together on ticket for the town board, despite failing to receive the Democratic Committee's endorsement.

The four will presumably go against eachother in September's primary, assuming Volpe and Pugh obtain 500 signatures from registered Democrats in the town of Cortlandt by July.

Yorktown based attorney Shari Gordon also received the Democratic endorsement to square off against Gerald Klein for the town justice seat.

Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi, Receiver of Taxes Mary Breining and Town Clerk JoAnn Dyckman are also running for reelection and have received an endorsement from the Democratic committee.

The Cortlandt Republican Commitee is currently seeking candidates for this year's election.

Below are profiles of the Democratic candidates for the Cortlandt town board.

Member of the Hendrick Hudson Lions Club, founder and advisor of the Hendrick Hudson Leo’s Club, member of the Westchester County Youth Board, Member of the Cortlandt Community Coalition

Volunteering and giving back to the community has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been volunteering in the community for 10 years and I think it’s our duty to give back as much as we can.

I'd like to be able to continue to keeping taxes low, supporting sustainable development and making sure that we continue to run a good sustainable government.

I'm sensitive to needs of our business owners and I have a sensitivity to taxpayers dollars that I bring to the table which I think is important.

The state is putting together a plan to make the Bear Mountain Parkway safer and I want to make sure that the plan is as safe as possible and that we work collaboratively with the state.

Member of the Cortland's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Cortlandt has done a good job of sharing services, keeping taxes low and providing programs to the community.

I want make sure that the Cortlandt town board remains a unified team that keeps going forward.

As a business owner, I help get my clients through large projects, while balancing costs and benefits. I have experience managing my own business and my client’s projects. I know the type of environment it takes to attract technology and software development firms and help them succeed and I'd like to help the town create that environment.

Town of Cortlandt Democratic District Leader, Northern Representative on the board of the Westchester Young Democrats.

I’m a lifelong resident and I think Cortlandt is a special place. We have a fantastic quality of life, but I’m concerned that it’s going to be increasingly difficult for the next generation class residents to be able to afford to stay here.

I’ve had a comfortable life with lots of opportunities, but there are a lot of people out there who haven’t had the same opportunities.

Another issue th.at I’m interested in is shared services and looking for ways to become more efficient. I helped to organize the referendum in Croton to move village elections from March to November, to increase voter turnout and save money.

Councilman Joan Sloan has done a tremendous job of investigating renewable energy opportunities and I like to see take advantage of more of those opportunities. There are opportunities to bring money in through the sale of electricity and from renting the space on solar panels. Solar installation is not only good for the environment, but it’s a way for additional revenue. 

Serves on the board of the Jan Peek Homeless Shelter, member of the Westchester County Democratic Committee and the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce. 

When it comes down to it, I believe I can make a difference.  Crushing taxes are forcing a lot of residents from the area and I believe, with my business acumen, that I can make sure we make every tax dollar count.

I think the supervisor and the town bard have done a great job, but we’re losing two people who have more than 35 years of experience. In my opinion, we have a fine, well-oiled machine and I don’t think now is the time to test new people.  You need someone who understands the nature of what’s going on can move right in.

I’m running with Brian Pugh and our mutual feeling is we don’t want 30 people to decide who should be next town board candidates. We want to take it to the people and let them decide.