TRR photo by David Hulse Fremont voting machine custodian Angelo Garcia, left, and Fallsburg head custodian Horace McKenny go over ballot details during an October 30 custodian's class at the Government Center. (Click for larger image)

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO - Senate and House races will be on the presidential ballot next week along with a number of local off-year races around Sullivan County.

In addition to the well-publicized Senate clash between First Lady, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Congressman Rick Lazio, Democrat Maurice Hinchey is seeking re-election in the 26th Congressional District against repeat challenger, Republican Bob Moppert of Broome County.

Fourteen-term incumbent Benjamin Gilman also has a repeat challenger in Westchester town supervisor Paul Feiner for the 20th district seat.

Incumbent state Senator John Bonacic (R-C) faces Right to Life candidate Matthew Tierney in his re-election bid for the 40th district.

Incumbent Assemblyman Jacob Gunther (D-C) faces Republican-Green party challenger, Neversink attorney William Brenner for the 98th district seat.

Dan Briggs appointment as county manager has prompted a race between Deputy Treasurer, Republican Olga Parlow and county legislator, Democrat Chris Cunningham for the vacant county treasurer's position.

Incumbent Republicans Thomas Warren and Michael Speer and Democrats Stuart Wizwer and Elton Harris are vying for three coroner positions.

Sullivan County also has a big stake in a ballot proposition for the Transportation Infrastructure Bond Act of 2000, which would fund portions of needed upgrades to the future I-86 in Sullivan as well as rail upgrades that would lead to commuter rail service on the Norfolk Southern tracks between Port Jervis and Binghamton.

In off-year town races, Republican Thomas Bose is unopposed for a Town of Callicoon town board seat vacated when elected incumbent James Hess became Highway Superintendent.

Democrat Daisy Smith and Republican-Conservative, Jeffrey Daub are running to fill Smith's formerly vacated seat on the Cochecton Town Board.

Two justice vacancies in the Town of Highland have prompted races between Republican-Conservative Anthony LaRuffa and Democrat Stephan Glasser and a race between former Justice, Democrat-Conservative, Alan Hochhauser and Republican Dennis Hazard.

In Liberty, Democrat Timothy Pellam is unopposed in seeking the Highway Superintendent position vacated by retiring Clarence Barber.

Republican-United candidate Faber Wilson and former councilwoman, Democrat Anna Grundel are seeking to fill the vacated seat of Steve Hill on the town board.

Mamakating voters will decide yes or no on a local proposition calling for a $16,000 increase in the Bloomingburg Free Library Budget.

The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on November 7. Contact your local town clerk for polling locations.