Leeanne Thornton and Fred Costello fended off challenges from Republican candidates Joe Roberti Sr. and Pamela Riggins.
The unofficial vote tally was:
- Costello: 2,283
- Thornton: 2,171
- Roberti Sr. 1923
- Riggins: 1,879
Thornton is a Democrat.
Costello is a member of the Independence Party.
Both have served on the board since 2004.
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I think that Saugerties has lost a great advocate with the defeat of Greg Helsmoortel. I think that a small group of very vocal citizens expressed anger and spread fear without actual representation of the facts with regards to the Dickinson’s Keep Project which hurt Greg–never mind that the Town Board does not have jurisdiction on Planning Board Matters. (One of their group actually followed the Boy Scouts food drive folks and stuck campaign literature in the food drive bags–how’s that for ethics!) I think that the feeling of frustration with the economy and taxation in general led people to need a scapegoat, and Greg was an obvious target. Too bad, because while gruff on the outside, Helsmoortel is a gentle and caring person with the heart of a lion when it comes to promoting his hometown.
I WAS ONE OF TWO PEOPLE WHO PLACED CAMPAIGN LITERATURE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN QUESTION. AT NO TIME WAS ANY BROCHURES PLACED IN THE BOY SCOUT FOOD BAGS. IT WOULD HAVE SERVED NO PURPOSE TO DO SO. SOME OF THE HOMES THAT I DELIVERED LITERATURE TO, HAD HELSMOORTEL CAMPAIGN SIGNS ON THEIR LAWN. MS.CAMPBELL AND THE BOY SCOUT LEADER NEED TO GET THEIR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE THEY POINT FINGERS. ALSO, BASED ON THE ELECTION RESULTS, THE RESIDENTS OF SAUGERTIES DECIDED THAT HELSMOORTEL WAS NOT PROMOTING THE BEST INTEREST OF HIS HOMETOWN.
Leeanne Thornton is registered as a member of the Independence Party.
All I can say is THANK GOD Saugerties did the right thing and got rid of dead weight Helsmoortel!