Oppenheimer to Run For Supervisor



Just nine months before the November election, residents are still coming out of the hills and valleys to run for Carmel town government. With the positions of town supervisor and two council positions up for election, only one local business owner has officially announced his intention to run. Brian Oppenheimer, of Mahopac, announced last week his intention to run for […]

Sheriff Sues Broadcaster



Sheriff Donald Smith ran a successful bid for reelection in 2009, but there appears to be some unfinished business from the campaign trail. Smith has filed a lawsuit in Putnam County Supreme Court against political analyst Michael Edelman, News 12 Westchester, and parent company Cablevision for “false and defamatory” statements made in September of 2009 criticizing Smith’s tenure as sheriff. […]

Legislature Recognizes Women Of Excellence



Three women were recognized by the Putnam Legislature for being named Women of Excellence. Ann Link, Donna Massaro, and Rebecca Bertoldi were honored last month by the Professional Women of Putnam for their leadership roles in the community and at last week’s full meeting of the legislature held at the historic Putnam Courthouse before some 25 residents, Legislator Dini LoBue […]

Carmel Town Board Names Two to New Positions



The Carmel Town Board voted to add two new employees to the town at its meeting last Wednesday night at Carmel Town Hall. Gregory P. O’Neill was appointed to the position of Town of Carmel Park Maintenance Supervisor while Michelle Tennafrancia was named account clerk in the comptroller’s office. Mr. O’Neill’s position came about due to retirement while Mrs. Tennafrancia’s […]

Legislature Approves Eldridge Appointments



The Putnam Legislature has made a number of appointments and confirmations. During its monthly meeting last week at the historic Putnam Courthouse, by unanimous votes the lawmakers confirmed County Executive Paul Eldridge’s appointments of William Huestis as Director of the Office for the Aging; Robert McMahon as Commissioner of Emergency Services; and John Lynch as Planning, Development and Public Transportation […]

Elections Commissioners Dismayed Over Charter Amendment



Putnam’s two Elections Commissioners, Robert Bennett and Anthony Scannapieco, have been serving in that capacity for a combined total of more than 55 years. Bennett, a resident of Kent, who is the Democratic Commissioner, and Scannapieco of Mahopac, the GOP Commissioner, also serve as officers of their respective political parties on the county and town level. Calling it the “right […]

Accountability and Communication Between Government and Business

From The Chamber

As mentioned last week, the Putnam County Chambers of Commerce (PCC) have invited elected officials to review and sign a pledge (summarized below this article) containing statements on taxes, regulation, potential conflicts of interest and elimination of governmental waste. These issues are of paramount importance and are on the minds of business owners large and small throughout Putnam. A one […]

Ready for Abduction

Local business brings first alien sculptures to UFO collectors

Many people would rather be abducted by aliens than lose their jobs (this is not an official statistic), but when Roger Phillips, a gifted artist who designed trophies for a large company, lost his, he decided to explore a long-time enthusiasm for the extraterrestrial. Founding Close Encounters Studios in Mahopac in July 2010, Phillips designs alien-themed sculptures that place their […]

Interim Executive: ‘Crisis Breeds Opportunity’



During his State of the County address Wednesday evening, County Executive Paul Eldridge focused on the positive. Before a standing-room-only crowd at the Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services auditorium in Carmel, Eldridge and members of his cabinet delivered the 46-page document, including slides and a Power- Point presentation. Eldridge described his team as “positive. That same optimistic approach to government […]

High Court Orders New Murder Trial



The 1994 murder and rape of a 12-year-old eighth grader from Carmel was one of Putnam’s most heinous crimes. The skeletal remains of Josette Wright were found by a hunter along Fields Lane in Patterson—a narrow and winding shortcut connecting Fair Street to Route 312 in Southeast—on November 22, 1995, 13 months after the petite girl was reported missing. Following […]