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I t appears that George Armstrong will run uncontested for Whitehall’s Supervisor position after local democrats failed to nominate a candidate for supervisor during their caucus held last week.
The party did put forth candidates for the other four positions during a brief caucus held on Saturday, Sept. 10 that will be on the ballet this fall, but were unable to nominate a candidate to head town government.
Five positions will be open in this fall’s election: supervisor, town council man (2), highway superintendent and town clerk.
Incumbent town councilman James Putorti will seek re-election to the same position and Robert John Putorti Sr. will seek election to the other seat on town council, which is currently filled by Republican candidate Farrell Prefountain who was selected to seek reelection by the Republican Party earlier this summer.
Rounding out the Democratic ticket is current town clerk Elaine Jones who seeks a return to office and Robert Juckett who will oppose Louis Pratt in the battle for Highway Superintendent.
But with the Democrats unable to find a candidate for supervisor, it appears certain Armstrong will win an uncontested election, pending the emergence of a write-in candidate on Election Day.
The deadline for any Independent candidates to enter the fray has already expired.
“I’m delight I don’t have any competition, but I have to get out there and work. I think it’s important for the top of the ticket to get out there,” Armstong said.
Supervisor Richard “Geezer” Gordon has said all along he would not seek re-election and will step down at the end of the year.
Armstrong looks to return to the political arena after an about a decade absence from local politics.
He served four years as town councilman in the mid 1990’s and was recently re-elected to the Whitehall Board of Education for the 11th time.
Barring an unforeseen challenge, Armstrong will have to resign his position on the school board.
He said he spoke with Gordon this weekend who offered him his assistance in helping make the transition to office.
Armstrong said he will be attending all the town board meeting and budget hearings to get up to speed before he takes office.
The other Republican candidates include Julie Millet who looks to recapture her old position as town clerk and Prefountain and Stephanie Safka who will run for town council. Pratt seeks to head the highway department for another term.
Regardless of who is elected this fall, Armstrong is looking forward to working with officials on both side of the political aisle.
“I hope to work with both the town and village board and the Chamber of Commerce to bring business, particularly a grocery store to Whitehall.”
Although the Whitehall Democratic Party was unable to find a candidate for supervisor, they fared much better than their counterparts in Dresden and Hampton.
In both towns not a single Democrat stepped forward to run for office, meaning Republicans will run uncontested.
According to Shelia Comar, Chair of the Washington County Democratic Committee, it can be difficult to find democratic candidates in the county, particular in the northern region of the area.
“It’s hard for people to step forward; we are outnumbered here and it’s hard thing to run for office. You have to put everything on the line,” she said.
Voters will have the chance to support the candidates of their choice on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The polling place for voters in districts one through four will be held at the Skenesborough Fire House while voters in district five will vote at the town garage.
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