Middlebrook, Sherman win village elections

MILLERTON — Incumbent Village Trustee Debbie Middlebrook (D) and former North East town Supervisor Dave Sherman (R) — both seasoned local leaders — won this year’s village elections.

Former North East Town Clerk Nancy Davis Vialpando (D) did not succeed, but the race between second and third place was a close one. The final tallies had Middlebrook ahead with 114 votes, Sherman in second place with 84 votes and Vialpando in third place with 82 votes.

The village trustee elections were held on Tuesday, March 18, at the Millerton Nutrition Site adjacent to Village Hall. Roughly 32 percent of the village’s registered voters made it to the polls — not a bad number for only one race, according to the candidates.

“I was very pleased with the turnout and excited with the participation from the village,” said Middlebrook. “I really was very happy that this many residents came out to vote. I think that shows a great deal of interest of what is going on in our community.”

The top vote-getter also said she was gratified on a personal level.

“I was pleased that the public had that much confidence in me to vote for me and support me, and I would like to thank everybody that came out and voted — I really appreciate it,” Middlebrook said.

Trustee-elect Sherman said he, too, is appreciative of the voters who came out to support him. He said it was gratifying after spending so much time in the community talking about issues that matter to local residents.

“Candidates go around and make their appeals to voters in the community, and it’s that what drives people to come out and vote,” Sherman added. “Several village elections in recent history had no competition, and that tamped down interest.”

Both trustee seats are for two-year terms that begin on April 1. The trustee positions come with an annual salary of $3,001.33.