Two arrested after public disturbance

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA — Dominic Ruggeri defeated incumbent Mayor Bill Misuraca for the Republican nomination in the March 15 village elections.

Village Republicans held their caucus Monday at the Senior Projects of Ravena, 9 Bruno Boulevard, with 36 GOP voters casting ballots.

Three seats will be up for election in March — the mayor’s position and two village board seats currently held by incumbent Democrats Linda Muller and Mary Ellen Rosato.

Ruggeri received 24 votes Monday night to Misuraca’s 12 to take the GOP nomination.

It was a three-way race for the nomination for the two open seats on the village board.

Barbara Tanner, a newcomer to running for office but a regular attendee at town and village board meetings, was the highest vote getter of the night with 27. Caitlin Appleby was also nominated with 21 votes.

Muller, a Democrat, received nine votes.

Ruggeri also received the endorsement of the village’s Conservative Party this weekend. This is his first run for the board.

If elected, Ruggeri said he has his eye on making infrastructure improvements.

“The first thing I want to do is change the infrastructure,” he said. “We have some outdated water and sewer lines — I have one of the best grant writers working with me that can bring in some great grants. That is something they have done for other townships.”

Taxes are also a major concern for Ruggeri.

“The biggest thing is that taxes have never been higher in the 103 years of the village,” he said. “I want to know where this money is going. I want to get to the nitty-gritty and really get these families what they deserve,” Ruggeri said. “Main Street is a big focus of mine. I looked at pictures from 30, 35 years ago — Main Street here was beautiful and I want to get it back to that. If we work together, it doesn’t matter what your political party is, because no matter who you elect, the mayor has to represent everybody. I want one voice for the village, and that is the key.”

Tanner has also been endorsed by the village’s Conservative Party. Her main focus will be attracting new businesses to the area, she said.

“I have a list — there were about 20 businesses on Main Street in Ravena. There are now nine,” Tanner said. “I would like for Ravena to come back. I am friendly to businesses, so I really do want to have businesses come in and stay here.”

Appleby is running for elected office for the first time, but she has long been active in a variety of community events and activities.

“I hope to further the community events that I have been putting together for the last 10-plus years,” Appleby said. “I hope to bring the community together and my ultimate goal is a community center — I am talking down the road, but that is my ultimate, ultimate goal.”

Town Supervisor George McHugh, chairman of the Town of Coeymans Conservative Party Committee that endorsed Ruggeri and Tanner on the Conservative line, said he was pleased with the caucus’ results.

“There are great things happening in Coeymans with lower taxes, improved services and new efficiencies to serve our residents,” McHugh said. “The town board believes that residents benefit from a strong partnership between the town and the village, and from our point of view, we believe there is always room to improve our relationship.”

Village Democrats will hold their caucus Tuesday night, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ravena firehouse, 116 Main St. in the village.

Election Day will be Tuesday, March 15.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been edited to delete an inaccuracy.