Meet the local candidates

New York State Senator

John J. Bonacic (Rep., Ind., Con.,)

I am John J. Bonacic and I am seeking re-election as a state senator based on my record.

I have helped secure $75 million in increased school aid for our senate district; secured over $1.1 million to build a fire-training center for Sullivan County’s firefighters; provided over $1 million in funding for new sidewalks and beautification assistance along the Upper Delaware River corridor; sponsored the women’s health and wellness legislation; secured forest tax payment funds, leading the effort to reform our real property tax system; secured state funding to help rural hospitals like Grover Hermann; quadrupled the amount of state funding for tourism promotion of the Catskills; sponsored the Scenic Byway legislation and proposed the Greenway, which has been endorsed by eight municipalities along the Upper Delaware River (Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther will also sponsor the Greenway legislation); proposed a Constitutional Amendment requiring voter approval of private casino gaming; and partnered with Alan Gerry to bring SUNY New Paltz to Sullivan County Community College, bringing a four-year college program to Sullivan County.

Any candidate can make promises. I ask for your support based not on what I promise, but on my record. If re-elected, you can be assured I will continue to represent Sullivan County in that same manner.

Sandra Oxford (WF)

I, Sandy Oxford, believe that the interest of a community is its residents. As state senator, I will work to separate property tax from educational funding, provide local jobs with living wages, seek ways to promote growth that respects environmental preservation and the community character, and lead the reform of New York’s unbalanced tax system by working towards a broad-based, progressive tax system, where every citizen carries a reasonable share of the cost of services and receives a break in property taxes.

Our state government has been described as the most dysfunctional in the nation, coupled with a process that has produced the latest budget in the history of our state. As state senator, I would strongly support the five legislative rule changes proposed by the Brennan Center for Justice’s “Blueprint for Reform” to repair our broken legislative system.

I support budget reform, which includes the establishment of a “third party” independent agency, empowered to act when there is no agreement between the two houses of the Legislature. And I would work to establish an independent budget office that insures that vital services are satisfied through the budget, not pork-barrel spending, and that Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP) are applied to maintain a truly balanced budget.

Bethel Town Supervisor

Bob Bonnaci Sr. (Rep., Con.)

Hi, I’m Bob Bonnaci Sr., the endorsed Republican, Conservative candidate for the Town of Bethel Supervisor. The town is growing, and with growth comes change. We need strong, stable leaders with integrity, honesty, and dedication. With my qualifications and willingness to serve, and your support, I will be that person. The following are what I would like to introduce and accomplish:

1. Reduce or sustain property taxes until they can be lowered.

2. Supervise town employees to increase performance and accountability.

3. Expand the beautification program.

4. Market the town to attract small businesses and development.

5. Emergency services are excellent in this town. We should work closely with them to improve health and safety.

6. Work with departments that have elected officials to help them improve efficiency and effectiveness.

7. Expand senior citizen programs.

8. Seek ways to further improve the youth program.

9. Create a grant writing program to search for more state and federal funds.

10. Sincerely address the needs, concerns, and grievances of the agricultural community.

11. Preserve open space.

12. Hold elected officials accountable for their actions to improve the town’s relationship with residents.

13. My door will be open 24/7.

I would like to better the quality of life in all of Bethel’s communities. 1 ask every voter, regardless of party affiliation, for their support on election day November 2.

Victoria Vassmer Simpson (Dem., WF)

My name is Vicky Vassmer Simpson and I am currently serving as the Supervisor of the Town of Bethel, endorsed by the Democrat and Working Families parties. I am seeking your support in the upcoming election.

I am a lifelong area resident, and have spent many years working in my family’s business, Vassmer’s General Store.

Prior to becoming Supervisor, I served on the Town Board of Bethel as a Councilwoman for six years, was appointed Deputy Supervisor, and served on the Town of Bethel Planning Board for two years.

Bethel is experiencing tremendous growth. As long as there is strong leadership in place to ensure smart growth, development in a small community like ours is welcome. If handled wisely, growth can lead to an increased tax base, which keeps taxes stable. As supervisor, it is my job is to keep taxes down and provide the necessary services to the community.

Currently, the much-awaited Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center is under construction, and we will soon be home to the new Sullivan County Fire Training Facility. The town recently secured a $400,000 grant from the Small Cities program and we have applied for a Main Street Grant to revitalize downtown Kauneonga Lake.

I will continue to work very hard for all the people of Bethel. Consider me on November 2.

Bethel Town Councilman

Daniel Sturm (Dem., Con., WF)

My name is Daniel Sturm and I am running for Town of Bethel Councilman. I am a current Town Board member, and a lifelong resident.

I have a Management Degree from Sullivan County Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

As your Councilman I have tried to shape, formulate and improve things in the Town of Bethel. My main concerns have been to serve the needs of the people by responding to problems as quickly as possible, and taking the time to solve them. I have encouraged our Town to apply for grants for infrastructure, housing improvements and economic development at no cost to taxpayers.

I have been responsive, honest, and reliable in dealing with problems and concerns within our Town. I have made tough decisions and stood by them. I am the best Democratic choice, and have the endorsement of the Conservative Party. I feel my education, experience and hard work ethics will be an asset as I guide Bethel’s economic growth while protecting the quality of life. I will provide proactive leadership with a clear vision for the future. I ask for your support again in the November elections.

Daniel Sturm

Delaware Town Councilman

Joseph E. Schultz (Dem.)

My name is Joseph E. Schultz and I am running for the position of councilmen in the town of Delaware. I’m a forty-two year resident of the Delaware. I have been married to my wife Barbara for seventeen years. We have two daughters, Melinda and Teresa. I reside with my family in Hortonville. We have been there for the last fifteen years.

I have been employed as a Senior Master Mechanic for the Sullivan County department of Public Works for the past 20 years. I am currently a member of the Town of Delaware’s Zoning Board.

I will work hard and look forward to the opportunity to serve the people in the Town of Delaware. I appreciate your support this November.

Joseph E. Schultz

Mathew R. Hofer (Rep.)

Cochecton Town Councilman

Paul Peck (Dem.)

My name is Paul Peck. I am a proud forty-year-old father of three Boys, Bruce, Jake and Martin; and a newborn baby Kaitlyn-Anne, who are third generation residents, on the outskirts of Lake Huntington. I have always been and will continue to be community minded, as this is where I have chosen to raise my family. We have had family roots in the Town of Cochecton for over 50 years.

My wife Erin and I operate our own business as Building Contractors/Carpenters here in Lake Huntington. I am a current Town of Cochecton Councilman and a former Cochecton Town Planning Board Member.

As a retired NYPD Community Policing Officer, I acted as a liaison between the Community, Midtown Courts, City Council and P.D., have been a volunteer firefighter for over 20 years on Long Island and here, and have served 3 years in the Army as a technical controller earning an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, and several other commendations.

To provide the best service for the community while managing its growth and maintaining the integrity of our rural community, I believe my background and life experience qualifies me for the position of Councilman. I appreciate all the support.

Sincerely,

Paul D. Peck

Curtis H. Murns (Rep.)

Highland Town Justice

Franz Eric Kopf (Rep.)

Dear Town Of Highland Residents:

My name is Franz-Eric Kopf and I am running for the position of Town of Highland Town Justice. I reside in Eldred with my wife and our two children. I graduated from Eldred Central School in 1989 and S.U.N.Y. Oswego in 1993 with a B.A. in Business. I have been a full-time resident since 1985 and I am currently the co-owner/operator of Eldred Power Equipment & Auto Parts, Inc. in Eldred, N.Y.

I served as Town of Highland town justice from April through June of 2000 with the Honorable Judge Edward Hefferon. In June, Judge Hefferon retired and at the request of the Town of Highland Town Board, I was asked to serve as the Town of Highland’s only town justice until the next election. I am a current member of the New York State Magistrate Association and have been since April of 2000.

I will give the position of Town of Highland Town Justice all of the time and effort it deserves. I believe that my education and experience highly qualifies me for the position. I ask for your support and vote this Election Day, November 2, 2004.

Sincerely,

Hon. Franz-Eric Kopf

Anthony C. La Ruffa (Rep. Dem. Con.)

My name is Anthony C. La Ruffa and I currently serve as Town of Highland Justice. I am seeking your support this November to continue my service. I have the endorsement of Republican Party as well as the Democratic and Conservative Parties.

My family and I moved to the town of Highland in 1986. I am retired from the NYC Police Department and serve as an active firefighter with the Yulan Fire Department. I am also an EMT-B and CPR instructor with the American Legion Ambulance Service, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus of St. Anthony’s Church and a member of the Town of Highland Lions Club. I served on the Sullivan County Arson Task Force, helped to develop the Emergency Master Plan for Highland and served as consultant to the town constables. I was honored to be named “Citizen of the Year” by the Town of Highland Lions Club.

Since my election, I have completed basic and advanced justice certification. I am a member of both the NYS Magistrate and Sullivan County Judges Association. To date I have adjudicated 1759 criminal and civil cases. I believe that the Town of Highland deserves a justice court to be proud of and I have made every effort to achieve that goal.

Thank you for your support,

Anthony C. La Ruffa

Alan Hochhauser (Dem., Con.)