Village caucuses: Middlebrook to face Markonic

MILLERTON — The two major political parties in the village of Millerton held their respective caucuses on Monday, Jan. 28, in preparation for village elections on Tuesday, March 19. The Democratic caucus began at 6 p.m. while the Republican caucus started at 7:30 p.m.; both were held at the Millerton Senior Nutrition Center, at the side entrance of Village Hall.

There are three positions up for grabs come March — the two-year mayoral post and two, two-year trustee seats, for terms served by Trustees Marty Markonic, an Independent, and Jay Reynolds, a Republican. 

Reynolds moved out of the area last year, mid-term. John “Jack” Thomas was recently appointed to fill out the remainder of Reynolds’ term after his resignation.

Millerton Mayor John Scutieri, a Democrat, announced at the beginning of the year that he did not plan to run for re-election, thus opening the field.

The Democrats

The Democratic Caucus was open only to registered Democrats who reside in the village. Democratic Committee member Anne Veteran gave a rundown of how the caucus went later that evening.

“It went very well,” she said, before listing the full slate of candidates who would be running for election on the Democratic ticket in the spring.

Current village Trustee Debbie Middlebrook was chosen to run for mayor, while Millerton residents Peter Richmond and Christine Bates were selected as candidates for the two trustee seats.

Middlebrook and Richmond are both registered Democrats; Bates is not registered with any official party. 

Veteran said she was pleased with the results.

“I think Debbie Middlebrook would make an excellent mayor for the village, as I think both of Peter and Christine would make great trustees,” she said. “I’m excited about the ticket.”

Veteran, herself a former village trustee, said she’s also excited just to know the community is taking part in local politics.

“I think it’s terribly exciting that people are willing to serve on these boards and run for election and want to be involved,” she said. “I think it’s great.”

The Republicans

Marty Markonic, meanwhile, was unanimously endorsed by the Republican Committee for the position of mayor.

“He was nominated, seconded and there was little discussion. The party unanimously endorses Marty,” said Republican Committee Chairman Dave Sherman.

The committee only came up with one nominee for the trustee positions — Robert “Rob” Cooper, owner of Associated Lightning Rod in Millerton and former Village Board trustee.

“We only had one nominee despite there being two positions. Rob is a great candidate, and we’re happy to endorse him,” said Sherman.