The Local Edition

Interview with Mike Ben Simon: Future Vision for Town of Fallsburg

In this in-depth interview, future town supervisor for Fallsburg, Mike Ben Simon, offers insights into his background as an auditor and public policy analyst. He also discusses his motives to run for supervisor, and his commitment to public service and governmental efficiency. Ben Simon reflects on his election campaign and addresses a range of concerns, such as low voter turnout and unopposed supervisor races, which he believes jeopardize the functioning of democracy. 

Additionally, he outlines his short-term goals which include conducting management audits and revising policies and procedures. Ben Simon also discusses pressing issues like high-density residential development, infrastructure upgrades, turnover in the building department, and the challenge of transparency in local government.

00:00 Introduction and Background
00:14 Motivation for Running for Supervisor
01:48 Role and Passion as a Governmental Auditor
03:51 Transition from State to County Operations
06:15 Running for Office and Access to Data
08:44 Reflections on Previous Campaigns
11:46 Addressing High Density Residential Development
15:31 Concerns about the Building Department
18:24 Transparency in Local Government
20:27 Closing Remarks and Future Vision

Interview with John Pizzolato: New Town Supervisor of Highland Discusses Leadership Vision

In this program, we have a candid chat with John Pizzolato, the newly appointed Town Supervisor for Highland. After a narrow defeat in 2021, John talks about his successful campaign strategies and his determination to steer the town leadership in a more inclusive and responsive direction. 

With a focus on listening to the local community and encouraging their active participation, John proposes rebuilding the constable program, strengthening the ambulance service, and lowering taxes. He also shares his views on vocational training and his commitment to encouraging students to return to their hometowns to contribute to the local economy. The interview closes with an invitation to town residents to be involved and actively participate in the development of Highland.

00:03 Introduction and Initial Political Journey
00:29 Challenges and Changes in Town Leadership
01:44 The Controversy of the Constable Program
03:44 The Importance of Local Jobs and Community Involvement
04:20 Vision for the Town of Highland
04:32 The Role of National Politics in Local Governance
04:52 The Need for New Leadership and Unity
10:04 The Impact of Transplants and New Residents
10:19 The Importance of Vocational Training and Local Economy
14:20 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

As winter approaches, animal sanctuaries around the country are worried about their capacity to care for thousands of animals. With hay costs up, non-profit giving down, and an explosive increase in the number of sanctuaries around the country, sanctuaries are asking animal lovers to help provide warm bedding and food for the animals in their care.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary in the Hudson Valley is one of many sanctuaries concerned about their capacity to care for their animals with the onset of winter– something they couldn’t have imagined even a year ago. Tim Bruno spoke with Catskill Animal Sanctuary Founder Kathy Stevens about the need.

Jason Dole and Julia Rock, a New York Focus reporter, discussing her article titled "How Unelected Local Officials Dole Out Wind and Solar Tax Breaks". 

The interview centers around the role of Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) in advancing New York's wind and solar expansion, the issue of providing tax breaks to renewable energy projects, the concerns about their potential impact on communities, and the challenges that arise from local resistance. 

The conversation delves into state-level solutions and the need for standardizing these projects across the state. The varied views of different communities towards these projects were also explored in the interview.

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by The International Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. It is marked every year on November 14th, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. Tim Bruno spoke with Shelley DeHann, Director of Garnet Health's Dunkelman Diabetes Center and Nutrition Counseling Services in Middletown. We should note that Garnet Health is a financial supporter of WJFF. 

Anne Hart, Chair of the Sullivan County Democrat party expressing her pride in their team and hoping the newly elected officials will bring a government that functions effectively. 

She also mentions the importance of addressing the Adult Care Center Sunset Lake situation.

Newly elected legislator Cat Scott, of District 5, Sullivan County, discusses her motivation for running, her campaign experience, and her future plans. The issues of the Adult Care Center at Sunset Lake, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and collaboration among legislators were brought up. 

We ask about specific issues and scenarios while Cat Scott expresses her commitment to act with respect, and civility in her new role.

Vist www.wjffradio.org for more. 

Matt McPhillips, who has just won an election in District 1, defeating the incumbent Robert Doherty, discusses his excitement to get to work, his focus on running a positive campaign based on issues, and his intent to serve all constituents regardless of their political affiliations. 

The conversation touches upon why he decided to run for office, his approach to governance, and the changes he seeks to implement. These include taking back control of the Adult Care Center at Sunset Lake, addressing the opioid crisis, and dealing with the housing crisis. 

Visit www.wjffradio.org for more 

Local Election Reaction: Greg Goldstein, Chairman for Sullivan County Republicans 

Democrats had a big win in Sullivan County, which means there will be new leaders in the county legislature in 2024.

One important race was in District 1, where Rob Doherty, the current chairman, faced off against challenger Matt McPhillips.

McPhillips said he is ready to get to work.

“Definitely excited to get to work. Campaigning is one part of it; now we actually really get to work. I'm excited to do that. I think what we showed as a County is that you can still run a very positive issues-focused campaign without any of the back and forth and the fighting and the animosity and still be successful. And I'm proud of that. I think voters really were ready for a change,” said McPhillips

Based on unofficial results reported by the Sullivan County Board of Elections, McPhillips secured victory with 61 percent of the votes in his district.

In District 5, Catt Scott emerged as the winner against the incumbent George Conklin.

Scott said it said surreal that she won but she is ready to get to work

“Through the process of attending meetings over the last three years, I saw a lot of concerning issues that face Sullivan County that were not, in my opinion, being properly addressed. Sometimes a girl's just got to do it for herself. So I threw my hat in the ring and here we.”

Anne Hart, who leads the Democratic Party, said she's pleased with the election results and believes Sullivan County is ready for a new beginning.

“It's time to bring our government back to the kind of government that functions well, and I'm really looking forward to the good work that they're all going to do,” added Hart. 

According to Greg Goldstein, who leads the Republican Party in Sullivan County, this is a positive development for the county.

“I have mixed emotions, but what happened last night was the right thing for Sullivan County.  I was asked this year to come back because of the leadership that we had on the county level as far as the legislature. We need new leadership to move Sullivan County on. We can't have this a one man operation trying to lead Sullivan County.”

Here are the official results for the Sullivan County Legussilure

District 1 

Matt McPhillips 61.44%

Robert Doherty 38.48%

District 2

Nadia Rajsz 63.59%

Joanne Jasper 36.22%

District 3

Brian McPhillips 54.90%

Michael Brooks 45.10%

District 4

Maryallison Farley 46.17%

Nicholas Salomone 53.74%

District 5

Cat Scott 55.80%

George Conklin 44.12%

District 6

Luis Alvarez 99.18%

District 7

Joseph Perrello 98.95%

District 8

Justin Picciotti 47.34%

Amanda Ward 52.66%

District 9

George Nikolados 50.17%

Terry Blosser-Bernardo 49.83%

For Wayne County, the incumbent will remain in power. 

Wayne county

Jocelyn Cramer 21.41%

Michael Dougherty 15.59%

Brian Smith 32.37%

James Shook 29.69%

In Pike County, the democratic challenger will join the incumbent Republicans. 

Pike County 

Christa Caceres 5,172

R. Anthony Waldron 4,232

Matthew Osterberg 6,903

Ron Schmalzle 6,319