Former Mayor William "Bill" Stanton Died March 18

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MARGARETVILLE - Former Margaretville Mayor William "Bill" Stanton died on March 18. Stanton was elected as a village trustee in 2001 and served until 2003 when he was elected Mayor. Stanton went on to serve until 2009 and after a brief respite was elected Mayor once again from 2011 until 2013.

Former Mayor Diana Cope, who took office following Stanton, had nothing but kind things to say. Cope lived next door to Stanton and his wife Mary Ann. "Bill convinced me to run for mayor," Cope recalled, "I said no no, and he said I should and I did." Cope reflected fondly on the mentorship Stanton offered her while in office. "The door was always open for him and he was really supportive," she noted. Cope laughed and added, "And if I did a bonehead thing he would let me know, he'd be nice about it, but he'd let me know."

In recalling Stanton's time as mayor, Cope said he was thrown a curve ball in his final term when in August 2011 Hurricane Irene ripped its way through Margaretville. With so much of the village in parallel, Stanton worked 24/7 to lead the community. The damage was unexpected and devastating, said Cope. "It was a lot and it really took a toll on his health because he was so concerned about the village," she said, "We were a mess and he loved this village, it was everything to him."

Even after Stanton had served his term, Cope said he volunteered to join the NY Rising Committee. The committee was formed after the village was awarded federal funding to rebuild. Stanton had the experience and knowledge the committee needed, she explained.

"He was not just present as mayor, he was present all the time in the village. Everyone knew Bill" declared Cope, "We are broken-hearted that he is gone."