Mixed Results For Putnam Lawmakers

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — In the race for Putnam County Executive, incumbent MaryEllen Odell, seeking another term, fended off a challenge by current Kent Town Supervisor Maureen Fleming to represent the county’s 99,000 residents.

With all election districts reporting, the Putnam County Board of Elections announced unofficial results:

• Maureen Fleming D, WE, RF: 15,718
• MaryEllen ODell R, C, IN (incumbent): 20,293

Fleming conceded with a statement Wednesday:

“I am so very grateful to all of the volunteers and donors who believed in my candidacy and worked so hard on my behalf, as well as all of the voters who cast their ballots for me. It was a level of direct and personal engagement with a county race that Putnam County has never seen, and I hope that the energy built by the campaign evolves into more active participation in and vigilance of our county-level government. We asked important questions about how the county is run, how its people are served and how our tax dollars are spent. We’ve opened the public’s eyes to things that have been kept in the dark for far too long. Now the public must ensure that we are given actual transparency and real accountability. I’ll continue to press the Legislature and the Executive to open County government and refocus their work on issues that really matter to the people of Putnam. And I will continue to work hard for the people of Kent as Supervisor—a position I am honored to hold. As ever, my door is open. Bring me your ideas, Putnam—let’s move forward, together.”

Odell, who has been in office seven years, ran on her record, emphasizing broadening the tax base and services for veterans and senior citizens. Fleming accused Odell of cronyism, spending money unwisely on pet projects including the Putnam Golf Course, Tilly Foster Farm and the Philipstown Senior Center.

There were two other countywide elections: for county clerk and county coroner. County Clerk Michael C. Bartolotti and County Coroner John F. Bourges were unopposed.

Putnam Legislature
District 1

• Barbara Scuccimarra, R C I N (incumbent): 2,159
• Nancy Montgomery, D WF WE United Putnam: 2,992

District 7

• Josph Castellano, R C IN REF (incumbent): 2,041
• Scott Reing, D WE We the People: 1,556

Brewster
Two candidates ran unopposed for village trustee seats.

Kent
Kent Council (unexpired term)

• Gary Link, D: 2,151
• Christopher Ruthven, R C IN REF: 2,653

Putnam Valley
The proposition on the ballot — Should the town borrow up to $1.9M to acquire the 161-acre Hill Camp parcel — passed with 54 percent of the vote.

Southeast

Town Council (unexpired term)

• Eric J. Larca (REP, CON, IND): 3,590
• Melinda C. Montanaro (DEM, WEP, REF): 2,845

For more election results in the Hudson Valley, go here.

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PHOTO: MaryEllen Odell/ courtesy