Millerton elects Markonic, Bates and Waite

MILLERTON — The village held elections for mayor and two trustee seats on Wednesday, March 18.Marty Markonic won 88 votes — 47 Democratic and 41 Republican — to retain his seat as mayor. Markonic, a Libertarian, ran unopposed.“I want to thank all the residents who took the time to get out and vote,” the mayor said. “The village election always falls on my daughter’s birthday, so happy birthday, Jane.”Incumbent Christine Bates and Stephen Waite won seats on the Village Board with 85 and 65 votes respectively.Bates, unaffiliated with a party, earned 38 Democratic votes and 47 Republican votes.“I appreciate the endorsement of both the parties,” she said.The trustee added that a priority of the board this year will be to install new sidewalks on Main Street between South Center Street and Dutchess Avenue. “I know from past experiences that Christine Bates will do a great job, so I’m glad she won,” Markonic said.Waite, a registered Republican, also thanked voters for their support.“It was cold, it was windy, it was downright raw but people did get out there and vote,” he said, “and fortunately I was able to gather enough votes to secure a spot on the board, and I’m looking forward to working with the members of the board and moving Millerton forward.”Waite also thanked the other candidates for running.“It wasn’t an election where there were a lot of candidates to come out and vote for, but people did come out and vote, and they should be applauded for that,” he said.Mayor Markonic expressed support for Waite and said he’ll do well in the role.“I’m very happy with the Village Board that’s in place,” Markonic said. “We might not always agree on things but we always work it out.“The backbone of the village is Amber Jordan, clerk and treasurer, and Jenn Owens, her assistant. They have brought the office light-years ahead from where it was. With a team like this the village is in very good hands,” he added.Democrat Nancy Vialpando also ran for village trustee. She received 43 votes.A total of 104 residents voted: 95 at Village Hall and nine by absentee ballot.“It’s important to vote,” said resident De Lora Brooks on Election Day. “If you want to make a difference, you start with your local elections.”“I think it is very important to get out and vote in your local elections. It is where your vote really counts and can make a difference,” said Olivia Markonic — the mayor’s wife — before voting.