On November 5, from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., Orange County will hold the 2019 General Election. In the Town of Newburgh, Supervisor, Town Clerk, Town Justice and two council office positions will be on the ballot.

A questionnaire was developed by the Mid Hudson Times and given to all Town of Newburgh candidates. The following information was compiled based on each candidate’s answers.

Candidates for Supervisor

Gil Piaquadio
Incumbent Gil Piaquadio is a 35-year resident of the Town of Newburgh and married with four children. He served six years on the Planning Board before being elected to the Town Council in 2003, and served three four-year terms from November 2003 to 2015 on the Town Council. In November 2014, he was elected to fill the vacancy in the Supervisor position. He has since been elected for consecutive 2-year terms in November 2015 and 2017. Piaquadio has an extensive security background, and has worked with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on a part-time basis for over 32 years. In addition, he served as President for both the Newburgh Rotary Club and City of Newburgh Lions Club.

He is also a member of UNICO, Elks Club, Masons, and Shriners. He received the Melvin Jones Award, which is the highest award given by the Lions Club, for outstanding humanitarian efforts. Additionally, he received a recognition award from the Amateur Speed Skating Union of the United States for contributions made to the sport of Speed Skating on a local and national level. He is the author of “How to Claim Your Money.”

Piaquadio seeks to serve the Town of Newburgh residents, and continue to keep taxes low without reducing services to residents. He feels the Town of Newburgh is beautiful with wonderful residents, and is proud to call the town his home. Piaquadio shared that by working together the town can be made even better and that is why he wants to be re-elected as Supervisor.

Piaquadio explained that his experience as an elected official, business owner, and town resident are all skills that he brings to the job as Supervisor of the Town of Newburgh. He feels he is also responsive to taxpayers’ needs and works continuously to address the needs of the town.

Piaquadio’s top three issues are: school safety, school taxes and traffic.
The Town of Newburgh, he said. will continue to cooperate with school districts to ensure the safety of all children.

Piaquadio expressed the need to find alternate ways to fund education other than through the property owner. He shared that forty states currently fund education through alternate sources. For several years, he has been encouraging Albany to utilize such alternate sources to fund education and will continue to purse that.

Piaquadio explained that the Town of Newburgh has a Traffic Advisory Board and retains traffic consultants to assist with traffic concerns. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of police officers to monitor traffic violations, and speed indicators have been placed in several locations in the town. There are plans to place more speed indicators throughout the town in the future.

Piaquadio is running on the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party lines. He has been endorsed by the CSEA and Hudson Valley Building & Construction Trades Council.

Town Clerk

Diana M. Campos
Democrat Diana Campos believes that the Town Clerk’s Office is the first point of contact to the town for most residents. It should be an open welcoming contact, which keeps town residents informed and engaged.

Campos shared that she has over 20 years of experience as a fundraiser. She has developed and implemented administrative policies working with Boards of Directors and staff. In addition, she has ample opportunity and experience interacting with government entities, and community members. She is bilingual and will seek to make the Town of Newburgh as inviting as possible to those who are non or limited English speakers.

Campos shared that she feels the Town of Newburgh is in a development limbo and there hasn’t been any new significant development. She would like to work to identify a “Town Center” which will attract small businesses, cultural institutions and community activity. She feels the Town of Newburgh needs to implement a dynamic marketing campaign which will highlight all the positive opportunities. She will work to increase the town’s social media presence, by improving and upgrading the website and other internet contacts. She will work to “open up” the Clerk’s Office, perhaps by offering off-site days/hours and extending regular hours.

Campos would also like to promote and publicize Town Council meetings to invite residents to attend and participate in the Town of Newburgh.

Joseph P. Pedi
Incumbent Joseph Pedi is 34-year resident of the Town of Newburgh and married with children and grandchildren. He has a Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology from Lehman College in Bronx, New York. He is a graduate of the Bronx High School for Science. Pedi is the former Vice President of Operations for 13 years for LSI Industries in New Windsor.

Pedi is running for the position of Town Clerk for the first time, but currently finishing the term as Town Clerk for former Town Clerk Andrew Zarutskie who recently passed away. Pedi shared that he enjoys the positon and finds the position gratifying working within the community on a public service basis.

Pedi was First Deputy Town Clerk under the late Andrew Zarutskie since October 2017 and was appointed Town Clerk by the Republican Committee in May 2019 to finish Zarutskie’s term. The Town Clerk’s position requires a great deal of organization and writing skills. Pedi feels his education and business background has prepared him for the positon of Town Clerk.

Pedi feels the “Top 3” issues impacting the town are the Danskammer Plant, contamination of Washington Lake and land development.

He carries the Republican endorsement and that of Supervisor Gil Piaquadio and Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council.
Town Justice

Richard Clarino
Incumbent Richard Clarino has been a part time Town of Newburgh Justice since 2004. He worked for the New York State Unified Court System from 1991 until 2017. In addition, he was a self-employed attorney from 1985-1997 and a part time staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Orange County from 1985-1989. Clarino also worked as the Orange County Assistant District Attorney from 1980 until 1985 and as the Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney (1983-1984) and Executive Assistant District Attorney (1984-1985).

Clarino is a graduate of Newburgh Free Academy, Orange County Community College, SUNY Albany and the Albany Law School. His public service associations and accomplishments include: member of the Orange County Magistrates Association (Past President 2007-2012), Sr. Judicial Lecturer for Town & Village Justices: NYS Office of Court Administration (1997-2009), NYS Bar Association Mock Trial Competition Judge (1994-present), Orange Lake Civic Association Board of Directors (2001- 2012), Dan Leghorn Engine Company Honorary Member, UNICO Civic Organization Member, and Knights of Columbus Council 444 Member.

Councilman (Two Seats)

Scott M. Manley
Incumbent Scott Manley is a Town of Newburgh resident since 1974 and graduate of Newburgh Free Academy. He also attended Orange County Community College. From 1981-1983, he was a member of the Printers Union at the Newburgh Evening News. On September 12, 1983, he joined the Town of Newburgh Police Department. Manley spent ten years in patrol, three as a detective and the remainder of his career (2008) as a Sergeant. He spent over ten years as Town of Newburgh PBA Union President. In his personal life, he has two sons, a daughter in law and a granddaughter. His parents still proudly reside in the same house he grew up in in the Meadow Hill neighborhood of the Town of Newburgh. He was appointed to the Town of Newburgh Town Board in August of 2015 and elected to a four-year term in November of 2015.

Manley said he was raised to get involved. In 2008 when he retired from the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the Town had some financial problems and was forced to lay off employees, that bothered him so he became involved in a local committee. In 2015, he decided it was time to run for Town Council.

Dealing with both the public and employees with a background in law enforcement and also Union President for so many years, Manley feels that he is able to talk to anyone and work things out. He shared that he is open minded and looks to come to a reasonable conclusion to help people. Manley feels that when it comes to any type of union items or civil service dealings, his background helps the town and taxpayers. Since he is retired, he is available to be at town hall if needed. In addition, Manley explained that continuing to enhance public safety, more police officers and insuring they have the equipment they need, and also upgrading Highway Department equipment to ensure safe roads, is his first priority.

His second priority is involving town water. Last year the Town of Newburgh acquired over 70 acres around its watershed to protect the drinking water, and he feels the town needs to continue to do that.

Lastly, Manley wants to look at the comprehensive plan and zoning laws to see what may have to be updated to protect the town.

Manley will appear on the ballot on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Liberterian party lines.

He has been endorsed by the CSEA Local 1000 AFSCME - AFL CIO, Orange County Shields, Local 17 Labors, Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, New York State Fraternal Order of Police.

James (Jim) Presutti

Incumbent James (Jim) Presutti is a Certified Arborist, Certified Nursery Landscape Professional, and owner of a Horticultural Services Business for 19 years. He’s been in the Arboricultural/Horticultural industry for 39 years and has a degree in Forestry. Presutti has been married to his wife for 38 years. He has two children, son Matthew, an Air Force Academy graduate and currently an F15E Strike Eagle Fighter Pilot in the Air Force and daughter Megan, a first-year medical student at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Presutti is running for re-election because he enjoys giving back to the community that he grew up in. He shared that he enjoys working with and helping people. Additionally, he wants to be able to help shape the way the Town of Newburgh grows and moves forward while having respect for natural resources, and providing services and recreation to all the residents. For many years, his father urged him to run for a council position, but he was not at a point in his life where he could commit to the role the way he wanted. However, about five years ago when his father was ill he promised his father he would run. He ran and was elected successfully. He is seeking reelection in order to keep serving Town of Newburgh residents.

Presutti said his leadership goes back to high school where he was president of his senior class. He has been in positions from laborer to business owner and everything in between. In his years working, he has been in positions to shape legislation at both the local and State level sitting with both lawmakers in Albany and workers in farm fields.

Presutti’s first issue is providing water to Town of Newburgh residents. He will continue to be vigilant in obtaining property around our watershed to protect it, all the while working with groups like the Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance to be sure the watershed has clean tributaries. He will also continue to pursue other water sources within the town such as wells.

The second issue is keeping the growth of the town from happening faster than planned. He will work to update the Town Master Plan to utilize planning for smart growth while still providing the best services to town residents. He will also work on Town of Newburgh zoning regulations to make sure they are up to date and help encourage new businesses that are in alignment with the Town of Newburgh’s Master Plan.

The third issue is helping Town of Newburgh employees have the proper equipment they need to do their jobs efficiently. He shared that the town has started to do this over the last couple of years by beginning to purchase new trucks and equipment and rotating out old and outdated equipment. This has resulted in a savings for the town due to the less amount of downtime on equipment and savings in repair costs.

Presutti carries the endorsement of the Republican and Conservative parties, CSEA Local 1000 of the AFL/CIO and Mid-Hudson Construction Contractors Association.

Rich Steger
Democrat Rich Steger is a 1989 graduate of Newburgh Free Academy. He has an AAS from SUNY Delhi (Parks and Recreation Management), BSE from SUNY Cortland (Physical Education), MSE Mount Saint Mary College (Special Education), and CAGS Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (Public School Administration).

His employment history includes public school teaching in the Valley Central School District for 26 years, President of the Valley Central Teachers’ Association for 4 years, Vice President of the Valley Central Teachers’ Association for 20 years, and NYSUT Political Action Coordinator for the 39th Senate District. Public service and affiliations include being a member of the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, Greenlight NY Campaign, and Hope Not Handcuffs.

Steger feels that in recent years the Newburgh Town Council has lacked any real debate due to one party rule and that it’s time for the Democrats to have a seat at the table and for real conversations to take place. He would like to be a voice at the table. Steger said he has spent almost 25 years advocating for children and union members and will be a fierce advocate for all residents.

Steger expressed that his strengths are leadership and organization.

Steger shared that his “Top 3” issues facing the Town of Newburgh are:
Giveaway PILOTS (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Steger explained that the Town of Newburgh is a high demand location and he feels that there is no need to give large tax breaks lasting a decade or longer to companies who show up with their hand out seeking larger profits. He feels companies must pay their full fair share to ease the tax burden faced by the residents.

Traffic Congestion Steger noted he feels that traffic congestion needs to be addressed especially during rush hour. He will elicit assistance of Orange County and New York State agencies to study traffic flow and management in key areas and will persist until needed changes are made.

Protecting Natural Resources Steger feels we need to ensure that developers comply with all codes to prevent contaminating the air, water and soil. Steger shared that the Town of Newburgh needs to require that all developers be environmentally friendly and develop a plan to determine how much/what types of development the Town of Newburgh can withstand without being detrimental to the quality of life. He wants developers to care as much about the residents and the environment as they do their profit margin.

He will appear on the ballot on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines. He has been endorsed by the Hudson Catskill Central Labor Council, Hudson Valley Stonewall Democrats, Latino Democratic Committee of Orange County and Orange County Democratic Women.