By Jared Castañeda
The Town of Crawford’s January 16 meeting marked the board’s first municipal session of the year but also the last for Charles Carnes, the former supervisor who submitted his resignation letter after serving the town for over two years. Residents crowded the meeting room and board members held back tears as Carnes said his farewells and extended his gratitude to everyone who made the Crawford the best it could be.
Carnes first thanked several current and former town officials he worked with over the last two decades, emphasizing that each was instrumental in Crawford’s betterment. These individuals included:
a. Dan “Bulldog” Flanick, a former deputy supervisor, cared deeply about Crawford and considered the town one of the best.
b. Rob Sassi, legislator for Orange County’s 18th District and a former councilman, maintained honesty and always brought new ideas to the table.
c. Kelly Eskew, Orange County clerk and former councilwoman, worked tirelessly day and night to ensure that Crawford thrived.
d. Jessica Kempter, Crawford’s town clerk, strives for perfection in her job and helps others, like Carnes, with tech-savvy problems.
e. Dan McCann, the town’s director of safety and security, is a gentleman who has secured millions in funding for several town projects.
f. Dominic Blasko, Crawford’s police chief, worked with Carnes to improve the town’s police department.
g. The town’s current council members, including Jason Muehr, Angelina Jadrossich, and John Barth, each bring something different to the board and contribute to the town’s success in various ways.
h. All the town employees, working hard to ensure smooth operations.
Carnes then listed several of the town’s biggest accomplishments over the years, including the downtown restoration of Main Street in Pine Bush, the expansion of the town’s parks and walking trails, the establishment of a youth and seniors department, and overhaul of the town’s water and sewer system. Carnes boasted that Crawford completed all these projects while keeping the town affordable for residents.
“This was all accomplished and we have remained below the tax cap every year since it was established,” Carnes said. “If people cannot afford to live here, then all these accomplishments are for nothing.”
Lastly, Carnes announced that Deputy Supervisor Mike Menendez would take over as town supervisor and Richard Mahon, a 30-year resident and member of the Crawford Republican Committee, would join the board as a councilman. Carnes asserted that Menendez, who has been on the board just as long as him, was the perfect successor given his experience and dedication to Crawford. Carnes wished both of them the best and assured residents that the town would be in good hands.
“As I decided if I wanted to leave this position, I had to consider if I leave it in good hands, and there is no better person than Mike,” Carnes said. “Mike is a genuine gentleman who processes the qualities of honesty and integrity who cares about this town and who has a family deeply rooted in our area. He will always watch out for Crawford first and will continue to expand on our traditional values of faith, family, and the rule of law.”
“I also would like to wish Richard Mahon the best of luck in his new role on the town board,” he added.
Following Carnes’ speech, a few of his friends from Orange County presented certificates and spoke to great lengths about his legacy in the town. They all gave Carnes big hugs and wished him the best for his retirement.
“I moved out here about 25 years ago, and Charlie had just started. I had a problem at my home, and a good friend of Charlie’s said ‘Call Charlie, Charlie will take care of it.’ Called Charlie and he took care of it the next day,” said Sassi. “That’s Charlie Carnes, and that’s why Crawford is a great place to live and open a business, and it’s under the tax cap every year.”
“Crawford was very different in 2002 when you became supervisor, and your top priority was always to make it a better place. I think the only thing you care more about than the town is your family, and that speaks volumes about the way that you ran Crawford,” said Eskew. “Besides keeping taxes low, your commitment never changed. And I know it isn’t easy to say goodbye, but your legacy is when people walk the trail together and decide to move here and raise their families as you did. And I think that’s a great legacy.”
“Besides balancing the budget and being your supervisor, Charlie protected the town. If you go around the community in the Hudson Valley and Orange County, they’re under attack by excessive development and lose their town’s character,” said OC Executive Steve Neuhaus. “I think the people in this and the town appreciated what you have done. Residents pay for what they have to pay, and Charlie scrutinizes everything. That’s his reputation, but that’s the guy you want in charge.”
Before the end of the meeting, the board accepted Carnes’ resignation and Kempter swore in Menendez and Mahon to their respective roles. Menendez also made one final announcement: in honor of Carnes, the town will name a trail within Searsville property “The Charles E. Carnes Walking Trail” sometime in May or June of this year. Menendez asserted that this would be a fitting tribute considering how much Carnes loves the town’s walking trails.
“We wanted to make this night a little more special than just giving him some certificates or a plaque or a dinner. One of Charlie’s big passions was the walking trail on the water property in Searsville. He has always been enthusiastic about that property and adding walking trails,” Menendez said. “So the board decided that the walking trail on the Searsville property is going to be officially named and dedicated to him in May or June, whenever we decide.”