2009 Primary Elections

Voters and election volunteers at Brewster High School Primary Day 2009 has gone down in history as one of the most contentious and nasty in years. Putnam County Elections Commissioners Robert Bennett and Anthony Scannapieco and their staffs needed a scorecard late Tuesday since 69 candidates filed petitions to run for 34 positions in town and county government this fall.

Sheriff, Legislators, and Coroner

Sheriff Donald Smith narrowly defeated former Southeast Town Judge James Borkowski. The sheriff received 2,343 votes to Borkowski’s 2,174. Retired NYPD Captain Andrew DeStefano who withdrew from the race last week but whose name remained on the ballot received 347 votes.

Dr. Michael Nesheiwat ran unopposed for Putnam Coroner as did Putnam Legislator Vincent Tamagna of Cold Spring.

Republican Legislator Mary Conklin from Patterson faced a primary challenge from Democrat Mark Armon for the right to represent the Independence Party line. Armon received 29 votes while results for Conklin’s write-in campaign were not announced.

The new ImageCast voting machine Legislator Dan Birmingham of Brewster, a former deputy county executive, is seeking reelection without opposition.

In the Town of Carmel, Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt is facing opposition from Democrat David McKay Wilson. Both men squared off in a primary for the Independence Party endorsement. Wilson received 44 votes while the results of Schmitt’s write-in campaign were not tabulated on Primary night.

The field for Carmel Town Board was crowded. Republicans Greg Ellner and Frank Lombardi were victorious over former Putnam Legislator Robert McGuigan and Allison Winstanley. Lombardi tallied 779 votes; Ellner received 620 votes; Winstanley received 554 votes and McGuigan came in fourth with 521 votes.

Democrats Suzanne McDonough and Mark Pekowsky will also be running in November.

Kent

Kent Supervisor Katherine Doherty in running unopposed in November while Town Clerk Yolanda Capelli faced a write-in campaign from Democrat Joseph Greco. Results were not tabulated on Tuesday.

Five people were running for two Kent Justice seats: Incumbents Peter Collins and Joseph Esposito faced challenges from Kevin Douchkoff, Maureen Fleming, and Philip Marin. Collins and Douchkoff were both victorious on the GOP as well as the Democratic lines.

A scorecard was also needed to sort out candidates seeking two Kent Town Board seats. Incumbents Karl Rohde and Lou Tartaro faced challenges from Edward Durkee, Jeff Green, John Greene, and Thomas Maxson. Greene and Tartaro were the victors in the GOP Primary while Green and Durkee took the Democratic lines.

One voter discusses the new machines at the Carmel Fire Department polling station. Kent’s Receiver of Taxes Jean Johnson was challenged by Joyce Mitchell in an Independence Party Primary. Mitchell received 44 votes while results of the incumbent’s write-in campaign were not tallied.

Kent Highway Superintendent Anthony Caravetta faced an uphill challenge from Paul Roncallo. The incumbent defeated the party-backed candidate in a Democratic Primary, 322-159. Caravetta now faces Republican Cris Dellaripa.

Patterson

In Patterson, four candidates are vying for two seats on the Patterson Town Board—Kevin Burns, Ernest Kassay, Councilwoman Ginny Nacerino, and Patricia Ploeger. Burns and Ploeger won an Independence Primary.

Patterson Town Judge John King is running unopposed this year but Receiver of Taxes Sally Parfitt is being challenged by Nanci Kalbfell. Parfitt received 30 votes in an Independence Primary.

Philipstown

In Philipstown, two candidates are running for supervisor—Republican Matthew Mastrantone and Democrat Richard Shea.

Four candidates are seeking two town board seats—Democrats Betty Budney and John VanTassel and Republicans Joselle Cunane and Theresa Polhemus.

Philipstown Assessor Brian Kenney is running unopposed.

Putnam Valley

Putnam Valley Supervisor Robert Tendy is facing opposition from Democrat Dawn Powell.

Six candidates vied for two seats on the Putnam Valley Town Board—Republicans Jacqueline Annabi and Patty Villanova were victorious along with Democrats Christopher Lieberman and Wendy Whetsel. Annabi received 245 votes; Villanova, 226; and Esther McHenry came in third with 222 votes.

Lieberman received 231 votes; Whetsel , 230 votes; and the third Democrat in the race, Samuel Davis, tallied 104 votes.

Putnam Valley Justice Gina Capone is seeking reelection without opposition while Highway Superintendent Earl Smith is facing an Independence Party line challenge from Mark Pawera.

Southeast

In Southeast, four candidates sought two seats on the Town Board to replace Richard Honeck and Paul Johnson who have decided to retire. Republicans Elizabeth Hudak and Robert Cullen were victorious defeating Joseph DePaola and Matt Neuringer. Hudak tallied 959 votes; Cullen received 841 while DePaola received 521 votes and Nueringer came in fourth with 487.

Southeast’s town justices Gregory Folchetti and Richard Vercollone are running without opposition in November while the Southeast Highway Superintendent’s race pits Kevin Palmer against Michael Bruen.