Millerton trustees nominated for re-election
By WHITNEY JOSEPH - Editor
February, 04, 2010
MILLERTON — Both the Democratic and Republican parties apparently are satisfied with the performance of village Trustees Debbie Middlebrook and Yosh Schulman, as the two were cross-endorsed last Monday at the respective caucuses.
Both Democrats, Middlebrook and Schulman are seeking re-election to the two two-year terms up for grabs on March 16, when village residents head to the polls to vote for the Village Board seats. Their nominations were the first step in the process; the caucuses at which those nominations were made were both held Monday, Jan. 25, at the Village Hall, one at 6 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.
Middlebrook is seeking her second term, while Schulman is seeking his second full term (he was appointed to fill out a half-term when John Scutieri became mayor and his seat then opened up; Schulman also served one full term when elected at the polls two years ago).
“I guess I would say that I’ve enjoyed it,” Middlebrook said. “I would like to think that I’ve made some good decisions and made a little bit of a difference in the village. I think it takes almost the first term to realize what you want to do and how things operate and to make it through the first budget. Two years is not long enough to have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and how to do that.”
Middlebrook said her goal is to see some infrastructure improvements in Millerton. Specifically, she said she wants to continue to address a familiar issue.
“I would like to see all of the sidewalks taken care of,” she said. “This is a walking community, and I would like for people to feel comfortable walking in the community without worrying about tripping. I’m going to concentrate on that.”
She added that one of the biggest issues facing the village is the sewer, and whether it should invest in a wastewater treatment plant, which is currently being debated.
“I think it’s a great idea if it can be brought about so it benefits the entire village,” she said. “Just doing a small portion and leaving some residents out isn’t the way I would like to go forward. It should be inclusive, not exclusive.”
Schulman, meanwhile, thanked both parties for their support.
“I feel it’s basically people saying, ‘We like the job you are doing and feel you should continue,’” he said of the endorsements. “And that encouragement and support gives me the charge I need and so I can double up my efforts and keep doing what I’m doing.”
That includes a long list of items; at its top is keeping the village on budget and state-of-the-art.
“I’m focusing on bringing cost savings to our area through energy efficiencies and actively pursuing grants to save money,” he said. “I’m keeping the village up-to-date as far as laws and technology and making sure we keep a forward-looking view on where we’re going as new developments and opportunities come our way.”
In terms of what makes Millerton so special, Schulman said, “It’s aesthetically a beautiful community.”
But his description didn’t stop there.
“I think our sense of community and the merchant association and the way it’s laid out and the variety of stores and its proximity to the train and points north that are beautiful and fun to visit all make it a really good spot,” he said. “And the types of people who are attracted to here stay here.”
But there’s always room for improvement, right?
“I would like to see more proactive building legislation to encourage smart environmental and forward-thinking projects for generations to come,” Schulman said. “I would like to see aesthetic improvements, like more trees, more efficient and attractive lighting and those kinds of things.”
Village elections are slated for the third Tuesday in March, which falls on March 16; they will take place at Village Hall from noon to 9 p.m.
© Copyright 2010 by TCExtra.com
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