Schulman and Middlebrook sweep trustee election

MILLERTON — Eighty-six residents had their say at the village elections Tuesday, as they cast their ballots for two trustee seats that were up for election. The voters’ choice rang loud and clear — Joshua "Yosh" Schulman was voted in with 79 votes while Debra "Debbie" Middlebrook was voted in with 76 votes. John "Jack" Thomas came in third place with a total of 18 votes.

Schulman, a Democrat, was running for his first full term. Schulman has already served one year of Mayor John Scutieri’s unfinished trustee term that was left open after Scutieri won the mayoral seat. Schulman was appointed to the position at that time. This time around there was little question that voters wanted him to continue to serve on their board.

"I’m elated and relieved, and I’m glad to be able to continue working with the board and the mayor and for the villagers," Schulman said after the votes were tallied Tuesday night. "I’m pleased with the turnout too, and happy to know that people were interested enough to vote."

He said once he gets back to the board table he will spend his energy on coordinating a community events calendar, which has been on his "to do" list. The calendar will help different organizations and boards schedule events around each other to avoid overlaps that sometimes happen. Its creation is one of the reasons he wanted to return to office.

Middlebrook, who came in a close second in the election, is a newcomer to village politics. The Democrat has volunteered for three years on the Planning Board, a post she will have to relinquish once she is sworn in to serve on the Village Board. She said the election process was one she learned from and enjoyed.

"I’m delighted and very excited," Middlebrook said. "I guess I’m a little bit surprised at the good turnout. I had no idea how many would turn out for a Village Board election and I’m delighted to see this many people participated. I’m also excited this many people voted for me."

One of the first things she said she will focus on once in office is the budget, which is already in the review process.

Mayor John Scutieri was on hand as the ballots were being counted; he agreed that the election process went smoothly.

"I’m very pleased with the way things went," he said. "I do want to say that it’s been a pleasure working with Jack [Thomas] and I’m sad to see him leave the board. I’ve learned a lot from Jack.

"But on the other hand, we can start new with Debbie and I’m excited to work with her on the board," Scutieri added. "It’s easy to see she’s interested in local politics."

With the election of Schulman and Middlebrook there are now four Democrats serving on the Village Board, which includes Scutieri and Trustee Anne Veteran. Trustee Marty Markonic is an independent.

"I would like to think everyone in the village would get to know people enough to not have to be separated by party," Markonic said. "This is a small enough village and people can call me, or John [Scutieri], or anybody, to find out who we are."

"I’m not sure how important party affiliation is, especially in a smaller municipality," the mayor agreed. "As long as we have good people I think we have a great, smart board."

Schulman and Middlebrook will take their oath of office at the village’s reorganization meeting, to be held on April 7.