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CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. Supervisor Linda Puglisi was sworn in for the 12th time on Sunday. Despite running in an uncontested election this past November, she still garnered just shy of 5,000 votes and has been re-elected every two years for the past 21 years.
My late father always taught me to give something back to the community and Ive tried to do my best, said Puglisi as her voice cracked. Puglisi was sworn in with her grandsons, Jeremy, 4, and Oliver, 7, who have already decided to become a doctor and a scientist, respectively.
Council members Francis Farrell and Dr. Richard Becker were also sworn in to office. Both council members ran uncontested elections, nevertheless drawing over 4,400 votes apiece. Becker, although reelected to town council, will continue campaigning for Nan Hayworths (R District 90) seat in the House of Representatives. Farrell was sworn in by his daughter, Katie Farrell.
I cant tell you what it means to have my daughter swear me in. I want to take a second to thank her for her patience. Farrell said that despite the many times he was stopped in public, even when Katie was a child, she was patient and allowed people to speak.
He said his proudest accomplishment in the Town of Cortlandt was the land preservation that the board accomplished over the years. This included the recent purchase of Furnace Dock Lake, which Con Edison has threatened to drain before the town purchased it. The town is now looking at ways to turn the lake into a passive park facility.
Town Justice Daniel McCarthy was sworn in for the second time, winning a contested election again Frank Priolo by just shy of 900 votes. McCarthy, whose father served on the same bench for 30 years, continues to wear his fathers robe every time he works.
The challenges we face any given Friday seem daunting to the people before the court, McCarthy said. We see people at their worst and at their best. He added, People have been able to move past and address issues that are important to them and our community.
Puglisi also pledged to fight against the closing or downsizing of the veterans hospital, the Montrose VA campus, and to increase services to veterans. She reminded attendees of the importance of the towns purchasing Furnace Dock Lake, closing outdated mines and shopping locally to support small business.
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