Millerton voters in record turnout reelect Mayor Jenn Najdek

Millerton voters in record turnout reelect Mayor Jenn Najdek

Ed Stillman a village resident directs Millerton voters to the polls at the traffic light on Tuesday, June 20. Photo by Peter Greenough

 

MILLERTON —  On Tuesday, June 20, 208 Village of Millerton registered voters turned out, plus 13 absentee voters, to select a mayor and two trustees—a record number for a village election. in the last mayoral election in 2021, there were only 147 votes cast.

As of this writing, village clerk Lisa Cope has yet to issue an Official Certification of Election, but confirmed the election results. Jenn Najdek, the incumbent mayor and Democratic candidate, won a second term with 129 votes. Kelly Kilmer, the Republican challenger, received 69 votes on the Republican line and 14 on the “Working Together” independent line she created, for a total of 83 votes.

Three candidates ran for two trustee seats. Dave Sherman, the Republican candidate who, like Kilmer, created a nonpartisan independent party line (“Common Ground”), received 134 votes, with 104 on the Republican line and 29 on the Common Ground line. Lisa Erdner received 132 votes running only on the Democratic line. Ray Nelson, the only candidate who received the endorsement of both the Republican and Democratic parties, received a total of 108 votes—39 on the Democratic line and 69 votes on the Republican line.

The unofficial results were not announced until almost midnight after hand-counting the ballots. Edie Greenwood, head of the village Republicans, explained, “The counting had to be done carefully and then recounted.”

Democratic Party leader and former Mayor Debbie Middlebrook commented on the record turnout: “People had a choice. People were forced to pay attention and knew their vote would count.” Greenwood observed that, “This is democracy in a contested election.”

Poll watchers Edie Greenwood and Debbie Middlebrook waited until 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, as votes were counted in the Village of Millerton election. Photo by Peter Greenoug
Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Millbrook names top-ranked scholars

Amber Concannon

Photo provided

MILLBROOK — Strong leadership skills and confidence in communication are evident contributors to Amber Concannon having earned her designation as Valedictorian of the Millbrook High School Class of 2025.

“I have truly loved my time at Millbrook,” Amber said of her Millbrook schooling that began when she was enrolled in kindergarten.

Keep ReadingShow less
Village Trustees hear call to adopt law to limit local cooperation with ICE

Barbara Graham of Millerton speaks to Village trustees, Mayor Jenn Najdek and Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik during a May 21 special meeting.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Village of Millerton board of trustees held a special meeting on Wednesday, May 21 that drew an unusually large crowd. Nearly 20 residents and supporters showed up to urge officials to adopt a local law aimed at protecting immigrants, including undocumented community members.

The law, as proposed by meeting attendees, would limit cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia gathers at Fountain Square

A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.

An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.

Keep ReadingShow less
Looking at America
Photo by Aly Morrissey

Jay Dacey of the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 took an unexpected detour to the Village of Millerton on Friday, May 23 to capture footage of a rural American town.

The stop was one of the last on a 10-day trip to the United States to film a piece on American politics.

Keep ReadingShow less