PHILMONT–Three candidates are in the race for two seats on the Village Board.
Election Day is Tuesday, March 20. Voters can cast their ballots at the Village Hall, 124 Main Street, between the hours of noon and 9 p.m.
In the running are Trustee/Deputy Mayor Brian Johnson, Trustee Barbara Sagal and Matthew Perry, who seeks his first two-year term.
Mr. Johnson, who was first elected in March 2000, is running on the Heritage Party line; Ms. Sagal, who has served since 2002, appears on the Community Party line and Mr. Perry is a candidate on the Mill Party line.
The annual salary for a trustee is $4,200.
Mr. Perry was the only candidate to return calls for candidate profile information.
Born and raised in Philmont, Mr. Perry, 41, is a bartender at Kozel’s restaurant and a website developer.
A Hudson High School graduate, Mr. Perry’s parents were both teachers in the Hudson City School District and Mr. Perry met his wife, Diane (Olsen) Perry and many of his best friends while a student there.
He is a Philmont Library trustee, serving since 2006, and has been president of the library board since 2008. He is also a member of the Mellenville Fire Company.
Mr. Perry lists the following as issues faced by the village:
*We need dedicated food sources year-round
*Take advantage of available grant opportunities to look into consolidation of services, lower taxes, maintain services
*Make absentee landlords accountable for their properties
*Enhance the business climate
*Make the Philmont Reservoir a destination and improve our public access areas.
Mr. Perry said he and his family “have lived all over the country but we wanted to be close to family and live where people care deeply about their neighbors and a strong quality of life.
“Philmont is a great place to raise a family and I think I can continue to help make it better. We used to be a self-sufficient community and that’s what we need to get back to.
“I look forward to the opportunity to roll up my sleeves and help the board bring in new jobs, clean up the streets and create a community where everyone can be proud.”
Mr. Perry lives with his wife and two children, Marleah, 9, and Owen, 6.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.
