The candidates for the spring elections

Village elections coincide with the first day of spring this year. It is somehow fitting that villagers will have the chance to vote for a pair of new (or returning) board members just as the seasons change. What better time could there be to cast a ballot ripe with opportunity?The central election in the Harlem Valley this year is for two trustee positions on the Village Board in Millerton, which governs how that municipality is run, what laws are enacted and the day-to-day decisions that affect residents and business owners alike.The board is an essential part of village life. It hashes out details from how the sidewalks are kept to how the roads are maintained; it’s in charge of metering one’s water supply and provides residents recreation during summer months. In exchange for such services property owners pay village taxes, based on a municipal budget that the Village Board drafts each year. The trustees on the board, along with the mayor, make critical decisions every day that affect how the village operates, so that its residents can maintain a certain quality of life they have come to expect. It is for that board that four candidates are running for two open seats come Election Day, Tuesday, March 20.What makes it difficult, but at the same time so absolutely fantastic, is that there are four very well-qualified candidates to choose from. There are two incumbents, both of whom have done superlative jobs as trustees and would undoubtedly continue to do so if re-elected. The incumbents are Democrats Yosh Schulman and Debbie Middlebrook. They actually have many similarities. They are both hard workers, practical, determined, driven to go after every grant dollar possible, and are both very sincere in what they do. This paper has no hesitation in recommending both of them for additional terms in office.Then there are the Republican candidates: Dave McGhee and John “Jack” Thomas. Again, good, strong and deserving candidates.McGhee demonstrated his abilities during a dozen years as a North East town councilman. He was down to earth, sensible, clearly dedicated to representing “the people,” while maintaining his own style (which sometimes, unfortunately, got him into a tangle with his fellow councilmen). Though he could get into a temper, McGhee often brought good ideas to the table, practicality among the best of them.John “Jack” Thomas is the second candidate on the Republican line. He, too, has a reputation for being sensible, smart and quick on his feet. He’s also reasonable to deal with (and his quick humor makes doing so a pleasure).When on the board previously he made his contribution, and if voted in again, would undoubtedly do the same. He clearly enjoys the camaraderie of being a board member and digging in to village issues, making him prime material for being a board member. He also just wants to do what’s right for other residents.That, honestly, is the thread that runs through all of the four candidates — they all have good intentions. They want to represent their fellow citizens and work hard to improve what they already love, the village of Millerton.There is no right or wrong vote here. Any way you cast your ballot you’re going to be in good hands. What a lucky community to know that it has smart, caring, dedicated and willing volunteers (yes, they do get a small salary) to join others of the same ilk to help shape the character of their hometown, always for the better.But don’t take your good fortune as an excuse not to vote. Each candidate still has his or her own ideas, and his or her own goals (for more, read this week’s front page). Make sure on Election Day you get out and vote — make your voice heard — and throw your support behind the candidate who will best represent you and what you want for your village, now and in the future.