As Ulster County Legislator for the Town of Marlborough it is my responsibility to look out for ALL the residents of the town, regardless of their party affiliation.

What Marlborough Democratic Committee chair Ted Millar called my comments “distortion to score cheap political points” and a “dig” in reference to the Marlborough Democratic party not holding a caucus can be no further from the truth and another attempt to attack me and my character as they did in the last election. Freedom of speech is essential to democracy but the Republican party chooses to expose their candidates to the public for questions and concerns before they endorse any candidate for any office. The Republican party does not tear down opponents of the opposite political party, that is not what they do . The Republican party builds up their candidates. As your elected Ulster County Legislator I congratulate all nominees, regardless of party affiliation, and wish them luck in November. As far as Mr. Millar’s statements - let’s clarify my statements.

The Marlborough Republican Party and the Marlborough Conservative Party hold an open caucus and the Marlborough Democratic party does not - that is a fact - that is not a dig or a distortion of truth.

It is my opinion not holding a caucus and not allowing ALL 8712 residents of the town an opportunity to meet the candidates, talk to the candidates and hear what those candidates stands for is wrong and I believe it limits the ability of any individual to participate in local politics.

While I applaud Mr. Millar and the Democrat committee for getting 153 signatures of the registered 1841 registered Democrat voters in Marlborough, I believe letting the 6252 registered voters have a opportunity to show up and meet and greet the candidates is essential to the political process, as the Republican and Conservative parties do under the caucus process.

Let me explain how the difference in the caucus vs. petition process works so I do not “potentially mislead the public“ as Mr. Millar thinks I might be doing. I do not and would not want to do that. At a Republican or Conservative caucus ANYONE can show up, regardless of their party affiliation, and with a nomination and a second to that nomination they can be endorsed for any political position on the ballot . For example : if a Democrat shows up , no prior notice is needed, at a Republican or a Conservative Caucus and has enough support they can appear on the ballot under the Republican or Conservative line. This gives anyone of our 6252 registered voters an opportunity to run for any political office. This is what happened at the Republican caucus where Mr. Millar believes only “politically motivated people are going to take the time out of their busy lives to report to a designated location to nominate candidates”. I do not agree with Mr. Millar, but even if that had any slight bit of truth the Republican Party and the Conservative Party at least gives the opportunity to all 8712 residents and all 6252 registered voters the opportunity to come and be part of the political voting process. That night, at the Republican caucus, over 150 people showed up, of all political parties, and nominations were made from the floor to nominate candidates for the November election. Anyone that showed up saw it was a relaxed atmosphere and candidates walk around talking to residents and answering any questions they might have. Again to be open, clear and transparent - ANYONE can show up to a caucus. I myself answered questions all night, and enjoyed my interaction with my constituents; however, under the petition process this does not happen. Just about 12 years ago the Marlborough Democratic Party changed their rules and procedures and went from a caucus process to a petition format with bylaws in place requiring a notice on intent on who can run. Under this petition process the committee puts forward their selected candidate(s) and then goes to the chosen voters, by the individuals who carry the petition, and obtain the required percentages of signatures needed to appear on the ballots. Now, not to “distort” the truth, these 153 democrat voters contacted to sign the petition are not asked if they want to run for office, they are asked to sign a petition(s) of the person chosen by the Democrat committee to meet the minimum required signatures needed by election law. I cannot confirm no one was asked, but there is a deadline to file, and the individuals I spoke to were not asked if interested in running for office, only to sign the petition for the selected individual listed on that petition. That is the difference in Caucus vs. Petition Election Process; and in my opinion, the caucus process is the proper, fair and most transparent way to select candidates. Obviously Mr. Millar will disagree but that’s ok - this is America and EVERYONE is entitled to their opinions and election process. As always, I am available anytime to talk and answer any questions or concerns.