Displaying items by tag: Milton, Wilton, Dan Lewza, Barbara Kerr, Scott Ostrander, John Frolish, Frank Blaisdell, Ben Potiker, Gerald Worth, Eric Rosenberg

MILTON – Two contested primaries in Milton and Wilton will be resolved at the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Earlier this year, Milton Supervisor Dan Lewza announced his intention to relinquish the position he has held for almost six years this November.

That opened up a drawn-out contest for Milton supervisor between incumbent Councilwoman Barbara Kerr and Councilman Scott Ostrander, who was appointed to the town board this year shortly after the resignation of former Councilman Bruce Couture.

The Milton Republican Committee has endorsed Ostrander, a semi-retired Village of Ballston Spa police officer with nearly 30 years of experience.

Ostrander reports that he is a “part owner” of a private security consulting firm called Saratoga International Group, which provides details for such events as the recent wedding of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro).

In addition, the town committee has endorsed Councilman Frank Blaisdell and political newcomer John Frolish for two seats on the town board, placing road signs with all three candidates’ names in many locations. 

Another contender, Jim Frey, is seeking a Republican primary victory for one of Milton’s town board seats as well.

Steve Bulger, chairman of the Saratoga County Republican Committee, said this week that the county committee typically does not provide endorsements for primaries, leaving such decisions to the town committees.

“We support all endorsed Republican candidates,” Bulger said.  

Kerr, a retired Skidmore College administrator first elected to the Milton Town Board in 2011, did receive the Upstate Conservative Coalition (UCC) endorsement.

In a statement released last week, UCC President Ben Potiker indicated that both Kerr and Ostrander were invited by the coaltion to explain their positions on various matters earlier this year at the Milton Community Center.

“Potiker thought that the deciding factors in Kerr’s favor were her experience in town government and her commitment not to vote to override the tax cap for the Saratoga County budget,” the statement reads.

“It was a privilege to receive an endorsement from such a serious and well-respected organization,” Kerr responded. “It validates my fiscal conservatism.”

According to the Saratoga County Board of Elections, among four separate precincts in Milton, almost 600 votes were cast in a September 2016 election for Republican Committee members, including Ostrander.

In Wilton, longtime Town Justice Gerald Worth is facing a challenge in an Independence Party primary from political newcomer Eric Rosenberg.

Rosenberg has practiced as an attorney in Florida since 1994, and he resettled last year in Wilton. He volunteers at the Wilton Food Pantry and maintains an active involvement in the local arts scene, according to his campaign literature. He has the support of the town's Democrats. 

All votes in the Sept. 12 primary must be made at the Wilton Town Hall Annex at 20 Traver Road, according to the county Board of Elections.  

Worth has served as the town justice for nearly 40 years, following in the footsteps of his parents Lillian and Wesley, who also served in that position.

When contacted this week, Worth said, “People can’t be too mad at me; they’ve been electing me for 40 years.” 

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