PRATTSVILLE & JEWETT 2025 ELECTION CAUCUSES

By Michael Ryan

MOUNTAINTOP - The election of 2025 in the town of Jewett has more to do with who does not need to run than who does.

While there are eight electable positions in Jewett, only three are in question including town supervisor and two town council seats.

Republicans gathered in April, choosing three tried and true candidates, led by town supervisor Greg Kroyer, seeking a second, 4-year term.

Kroyer was chairman of the local planning board prior to replacing James Pellitteri as supervisor…and speaking of Pellitteri…

He is in search of a fresh, 4-year term on the town council, along with John Giordano, who headed the recent effort to create a town Veterans Monument, hosting dedication ceremonies this past spring.

The local Democratic Party is going with a duo of political newcomers, Bill Rod and Renee Blinkwolt, for the pair of council seats.

Rod is treasurer of the Jewett Democratic committee, director of the Hunter Mountain ski patrol and a onetime ER nurse.

Blinkwolt has had a successful career in theater and working with non-profit entities, also operating a local wedding venue.

Democrats are offering no candidate for town supervisor, while not cross-endorsing, according to Party chairman Paul Trautman.

“This is the first venture into politics for Bill and Renee, but we’re confidant they will be very capable,” Trautman says.

“We recognize we are in a basically Republican town. At the same time, there is more interest in getting involved,” Trautman says.

“The room where we had the caucus, upstairs at the town hall, was filled completely,” Trautman says, estimating the crowd at 50-plus.

Terms of office run through the end of 2027 for two town council members; Jeanie Scotti and John Pumilia, town clerk/collector Maya Carl, highway superintendent Bob Mallory and town justice Stephen Canfield.

PRATTSVILLE

There are seven positions open this election season in Prattsville with several familiar names running on the Republican Party ticket.

Democrats, meanwhile, continue to keep the two-party system alive and well in the village at the confluence of the streams.

The slate for the GOP, which held its caucus earlier this summer, is headed by incumbent town supervisor Greg Cross who has been in public service well into two decades.

Cross was a town council member prior to becoming supervisor in Prattsville, also serving as supervisor in the town of Lexington.

He is highly supportive of the possible creation of a countywide ambulance system, which could come to fruition in two to three years.

“This is definitely something I would like to see through. It should be a big financial win for our town,” Cross says, emphasizing that emergency medical services are a major budget expense.

Cross is joined on the ticket by incumbent town council members Eli Martin and Heidi Ruehlmann and current town clerk Theresa Whitworth.

Carole Cangelosi is the GOP selection for tax collector, on the job for many years, and incumbent Daniel Peckham is again the choice for town justice.

While those folks are well known in government, there will be a new face at the highway department where Bill Sutton is retiring as superintendent.

“This is twenty-nine years and I’m getting tired, plus the way prices are going up is driving me crazy,” Sutton says, light-heartedly.

“It’s been a good time,” says Sutton, expecting to stay busy with a slew of grandkids and a great grandson who shares a birthday with him.

To possibly be successor to Sutton, the GOP has picked Dewitt Olmstead, a onetime highway department worker and a local pastor.

Democrats held their caucus on July 21, led by longtime Party chairwoman and former town business officer Michelle Brainard.

The gathering was held outdoors at the town green, with Democrats hoping voters, in November, match the fine summer weather.

No challenger stepped forward for town supervisor, though there should be interesting contests for town clerk and town council.

Bonita Chase was selected to try for the town clerk’s job. She is a former town councilwoman, helping guide the community through the long and difficult recovery from Tropical Storm Irene.

She served as town business officer, also working in Accounting for Gilboa-Coinesville Central School and a private school in Ulster County.

Democrats have further chosen Stephanie Braswell and Darcy Jaeger-Brand to vie for town council.

Braswell, a native daughter, is self-employed and has been deeply involved in the community, helping organizing the appropriately named “Mudfest” celebration in the recovery from Irene.

Jaeger-Brand, a first grade teacher by trade, is a U.S. Navy veteran and the daughter of former councilman Arnold Jaeger, likewise a veteran.

Democrats have tabbed Jeremy Marsh for highway superintendent, pending approval from his primary employer, the New York State Department of Transportation.

Democrats have cross-endorsed Daniel Peckham for justice but offered no candidates or cross-endorsements for town supervisor or tax collector.

Editor’s Note: Newly enacted New York State election rules mandate that persons winning either a 2-year term or a 4-year term in 2025, must run again in one year or three years, respectively.

Judges, who are voted in for 4-year terms, are excluded. The change will result in local campaigns more closely coinciding with State and federal election cycles, impacting all 62 counties within New York.