Among the speakers were those running for Town Board
In an early morning Zoom meeting last week, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce hosted 11 candidates in the upcoming election. The offices they are running for range from judge to state seats to town council.
Acting president of the Chamber, Tom Ossa moderated the event, which gave those on hand five minutes to speak about themselves and why they are running for office. At the end there was about 15 minutes for questions.
In attendance: Steve Brescia and James Skoufis (incumbent), running for the District 39 senate seat; Sarita Bhandarkar and Colin Schmitt (incumbent) running for the State Assembly seat for District 99; Jim DiSalvo, Jim Modlin and Tyrone King, running for the Town of Highlands Council.
Also, Supreme Court 9th Judicial District candidates David Hasin and Richard Guertin were on hand as were Orange County Court candidate Hyun Chin Kim, and Orange County Family Court candidate Carol Klein.
Here’s a bit of the comments from the three Town Council candidates, with DiSalvo speaking on behalf of both himself and running mate Tony Squicciarini, who was unable to attend the event.
Jim DiSalvo (Republican): “I love this community and am raising my family here,” he said, noting that he was elected to his first elected office here at age 21, and that was the Town Board. He currently serves on the Village Board and School Board, as well as serving on the Orange County Industrial Development Agency. DiSalvo said increasing taxes in the community — “and the state” are always an issue for him, as is managing spending while being able to continue to provide quality services such as police, fire and garbage. “It’s important that we maintain our overall quality of life,” he said, noting that “smart economic development” would do that.
Tony Squicciarini, as noted by DiSalvo (Republican): “Tony is a lifelong resident of the community who served for many years as the highway superintendent here — and was the one who oversaw the start of inhouse sanitation services here — and also serves on the cemetery committee,” DiSalvo said, noting that in both his government and private life Squicciarini has made “good relationships” that help the community. “Spending and services is also his focus. We need folks like Tony who know what is going on and is willing to participate in local government.”
Tyrone King (Democrat): King, born and raised in Highland Falls, is a 30-year veteran of the US Army. He is currently a ‘holdover’ member of the Town Board after serving four years on it. King says he’s used his military experience in serving the town over the last five years, calling himself a “servant leader as opposed to a politician”. “I want to continue to give every ounce of my energy to serve that community to raise it’s quality of life,” King said. King also noted that he believes the community, and nation, “needs more diversity” in its leaders. “I will work hard and continue to represent you with honor,” he said.
Jim Modlin (Democrat): Modlin, who recently stepped away from his position of president of the Chamber of Commerce, noted that he, unlike the others, is not a lifelong resident of the community. He attended West Point, moved around with the Army for 20-plus years and then in 2013, he and his wife decided to settle in Highland Falls. “I see tremendous potential in the Town of Highlands,” he said, “and this election is all about working together and tapping into our potential for the future.” Modlin said he was glad to hear the other candidates speak about their own economic concerns for the community, and said he believes one of the roles of the Town Board is to support the small businesses in the community. “With economic development comes jobs and growth for everyone in the community.”
To listen to the complete remarks from all of the candidates, a recording of the event has been posted on the Chamber’s website (www.highlandschamberofcommerce.com) and the group’s Facebook page (Highlands Chamber). A sample Town of Highlands ballot is available at the Orange County Board of Elections website (www.orangecountygov.com).
