Elections

The Millerton News’ candidate profiles for Town Board and town supervisor follow below. The candidates each wrote 100 words about themselves to share with voters why they should be elected.

Millbrook Village Trustee

Buffy Arbogast (D)

Incumbent, Millbrook Trustee Candidate

Running for first full term after being appointed to initial unexpired term

I’m serving the trustee position left by Tim Collopy when he became mayor.

I’m running for election because I enjoy what I’m currently doing on the board, working on the Electric Vehicle charging stations, working with Sgt. Witt on traffic laws and codes, learning about grants and how things work from other trustees on the Village Board.

I’m also interested in working on sensible ways to include more hospitality in Millbrook, and as a business owner of Babette’s Kitchen, I’m always looking for ways to help village businesses.

I love what I’m doing and would like to keep doing it.

Peter Doro (R)

Millbrook Trustee Candidate

Fiscal responsibility is of utmost importance. Diversity of thought is also crucial — currently, the Village Board is all Democrats; I am a Republican. A divided board can be more effective and represent a broader swath of the community.

I also believe free and fair elections, honesty, integrity and openness are all integral to a well-functioning democracy.

I have been a resident of Millbrook my whole life and am now raising my family here. 

I serve my community on the Dutchess Outreach Board and the Town of Washington Board of Assessment Review.     

I am an adjunct professor at Albany Law School.

Town of Washington Town Board

Steven Turletes (R)

Incumbent

Washington Town Board member

Running for seventh full term

I’m seeking re-election because we currently have excellent members on our Washington Town Board and volunteers on our ancillary boards who listen to the information from all sides of an issue while making the best decisions for the town. 

I think it was a wise move to begin to examine the Comprehensive Plan with an eye toward hospitality, including short term rentals, and begin to investigate the possibility of changing the formulas for possible expansion in Mabbettsville and Washington Hollow. 

It is important to remember that it is “OUR MILLBROOK” and we must listen to all voices and legislate accordingly.

Joe Rochfort (R)

Incumbent

Town Board Candidate

Running for first full term after serving an unexpired term

I hope to be re-elected as I want to continue with the projects I am involved in.

I want to continue on the Town Board, working toward keeping the town the best town, one that remains attractive to people and that maintains the qualities that make it this way.

In the brief time I have been in office, I feel that I have gotten fully accustomed to what is expected of a town councilman.

So far, I am working diligently reviewing the Comprehensive Plan, and working with the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals as their liaisons.

Mike Murphy (R)

Incumbent

Washington Town Board Member

Running for second term

It’s an honor to serve as your town councilman. I hope to continue to serve the people of the TOW, and continue the excellent high quality programs and other services we’re known for.

I’m proud of having expanded programs for our youth, and of our addressing the serious results of major storms in our area.

Born in Poughkeepsie, I’ve lived in Millbrook for 40 years. In running for a second term, I’m committed to fiscal conservatism on both spending and taxes.

I’ve long been involved with the town, serving the Rotunno, Briggs and Prisco administrations and as part-time recreational director.

Leslie Heaney (My Millbrook Party)

Running for Town Board

As a mother, small business owner and attorney, I work tirelessly to give back to my community, particularly on behalf of women, children, and families. 

I will fight to protect Millbrook from harmful, ad hoc development; enforce the town ethics code; institute smart, long-term financial planning; ensure transparency and accountability in town government; attract responsible commercial development; demand better internet service; and stop tax increases.

As a trained attorney who understands complex regulations and negotiations, I’ll take on savvy developers. 

My Millbrook is independent and nonpartisan; we believe the town’s future should be determined by its residents, not predatory developers.

Andrew Spence (My Millbrook Party)

Running for Town Board

I am a respected financial expert who helps companies and organizations perform better and grow in value.

I’m is running for Town Board to bring those skills to Millbrook government.

I’ll ensure that needed economic development will never come at the cost of what makes Millbrook the place we want to live.

As an avid outdoorsman and passionate advocate for natural spaces, I’m a fierce defender of our precious land habitats. In 2009, Ducks Unlimited named me Conservationist of the Year.

Married with three children, I’m a full-time Millbrook resident who serves on the Town of Washington Planning Board.

Doug Giles (My Millbrook Party)

Running for Town Board

As the long-time operator of Waldbridge Farm, I need no introduction — nor does my commitment to the environment.

I’m running for Town Board to preserve Millbrook’s character and to ensure that any commercial development be responsible, sustainable and within the boundaries of Millbrook’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan, to which we all agreed.

I understand the value of a dollar, and I’ll work to bring long-term financial planning to the board. 

I haves two sons who now work with me on the farm. As a Town Board member ,I’ll bring my perspective and work ethic to town government on our community’s behalf.

Town of Washington Town Supervisor

Gary Ciferri (R)

Washington Town Supervisor

Running for fourth term.

I’m running for re-election because I would like to continue to work on projects we’ve already started, a lot of it having to do with town infrastructure and major repairs after various storms.

There are many building projects going on right now. Because we have such a good team currently at Town Hall, I expect we’ll get it all done in the coming years, and I’d like to see it to completion.

Among the accomplishments I’m very proud of is that of keeping the town above water after the COVID-19 pandemic hit almost two years ago.