Everyone's vote is important

Millerton residents will head to the polls Wednesday, March 18, when they will cast ballots in favor of their choices for two village trustees as well as for mayor.

Now it’s always difficult during these mid-year elections to get the majority excited about voting, especially when there are no national elections to coincide with the local ones. Throw into the mix that not all of the races are contested and it can be even more difficult to draw people out on a cold day or night to the local polling place.

We’re hoping village residents will buck the trend.

Three candidates are running for two open village trustee seats, so that is indeed a race worth participating in. It’s great to see people are interested in running to fill the seats for a difficult and sometimes thankless job that takes a lot of time and dedication and that enough people are running to make the election a real race, giving voters an option on who they would like to see help govern their village.

How better to thank the candidates than by voting? It has got to be extremely disheartening to drum up enough courage to run for public office only to have no one show up to vote. That would be not only a shame but a waste of our democratic system, a system that countless people have laid down their lives to protect.

Then there’s the mayoral seat, which, granted, is unopposed this year. OK, perhaps your vote won’t change the outcome, but surely a vote for incumbent John Scutieri should be cast if you approve of how he’s performed as mayor for the past two years.

He has worked hard to provide proper leadership for the village. For instance, he’s continued to pursue funding for sidewalk and road work, some of which has been completed, as well as water projects in the village. He’s also been instrumental in the formation of committees like the Emergency Fuel Committee, which is available to all town and village residents in need. Scutieri’s term has been anchored by solid decisions and real concern for the community. He also works well with the village trustees who help him govern the municipality and must support the initiatives he proposes. That’s an important component to the success of any leader.

Although it may not be deemed necessary in a year in which the seat is unopposed, this paper will stick with its tradition of endorsing local political candidates. It begins this round with heartily endorsing John Scutieri for mayor.

As far as the trustee candidates go, this was a tough year to decide. All three candidates, Anne Veteran, Marty Markonic and Jay Reynolds, have their advantages. In fact, it’s at times like these when one wishes an extra chair could be added to the Village Board table. But, alas, that is not an option.

Therefore, this paper endorses the two incumbents, Anne Veteran and Marty Markonic.

Veteran is clearly made for the job. She was well suited for it from before the time she even decided to run for the position. She first arrived at the Village Board four years ago armed with knowledge of how the system works, what issues were at hand and why the public concern was what it was at the time — all things others were not necessarily as sensitive to despite already being part of the governing body. She actively participates in discussions, adding thoughtful comments, intelligent suggestions and oftentimes realistic solutions. She is also open to explaining why she thinks what she thinks, which is important in a representative government.

Likewise, Marty Markonic is also very approachable. He is good-natured and quick on his feet. He understands the issues at hand and often has practical, sensible solutions that just seem to work. He has a great ability to interact and communicate among all the board members and that skill is often used to everyone’s benefit. He also walks the walk. He does what he says he will do and is always at the ready to volunteer himself for any given task to improve the village. His presence on the board has definitely made a difference as far as the board’s dynamics as well as the board’s productivity.

The third candidate, Jay Reynolds, while not being endorsed, is certainly worthy of commendation for doing his civic duty and throwing his hat into the ring. If elected there’s no doubt his service to the board would bring about many good things, and perhaps that scenario will one day play out. If it weren’t for the impressive performances of his rival candidates there’s little doubt that Reynolds would be among those receiving our endorsement. We certainly hope he will keep active in the political happenings around the village, for it can only be to everyone’s benefit.

The most important thing, as always, is that those who are able to, vote. It’s a simple concept — you choose those whom you feel would best represent you and your needs. It’s a simple procedure — you go to the Nutrition Center at Village Hall and cast your ballot between the hours of noon and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Yet while it is very simple it’s also one of the most imperative things you can do as an American citizen, so don’t let Election Day pass without your voice being heard. Vote!