Supervisor 

John M. Pizzolato (D) (Lifting Neighbors)

I am running to become your next Town of Highland Supervisor because I love this community and we need new leadership. We have to be conservative in our spending to keep taxes low and services readily available to all, especially for veterans, seniors and young families. 

We need to explore all means of rebuilding our constable program and provide the necessary support for all of our essential services and workers. I will pursue all county, state, private and federal grant programs to alleviate the tax burden on residents. I have a proven track record, having keyed over $300,000 in grant funds for our community. I promise to respect everyone’s opinion and not use the office of the supervisor to attack those I don’t see eye to eye with.

We need to repair the relationship with the small business community and town hall. We need transparency and a straight forward approach to codes and rules that apply to everyone equally. We need to have public debates and not silence taxpayers with back-door deals and secret meetings. We need to be business-friendly, but also respect our rural, small-town character. I would be honored to represent this great community and look forward to working for all of you.

Donald Jeff Haas (R) (C)

In the role of supervisor, experienced leadership matters. I can navigate both routine and emergent situations, work cooperatively with Government entities and partners, and operate in the best interest of the Town within the constraints of governmental administration. As a lifelong volunteer and resident, I know the needs and challenges of not only our volunteer emergency services, but of the community at large. I have always made myself available and accessible to constituent concerns, suggestions or questions, and have deeply rooted connections to our Veterans and seniors. 

Financial stability without overburdening the taxpayer is our biggest challenge. I created a standard of fiscal responsibility that led to back-to-back ratings of Zero Fiscal Stress as determined by the Comptroller. The Town’s budget reserve has grown 300 percent, we have been awarded millions of dollars in grants while exploring additional opportunities, and our investment portfolio has yielded over $100,000 in returns this year alone.

Town Council Member (vote for two)

Rebecca Morabito (D) (Sullivan United)

Laura K. Burrell (D) (Lifting Neighbors)

Thomas R. Migliorino (R)

In the next year or two, the Town of Highland will be facing some serious issues.  Issues that will affect us all as property owners.  I will do everything within my power to represent the people who stand with me to preserve this beautiful town that we all call HOME!The issues that matter most to me at this time are protecting the culture of our beautiful hamlet by encouraging small business growth and discouraging corporate owned/franchise expansion and especially the type of expansion that is tax exempt and does not add to our tax roll.  I also feel that I can help by strengthening a bridge between local government and its citizens.  I have heard way too many rumors and not nearly enough clarification. 

If elected, I will make it my number one priority to be available and accessible to everyone.  If someone has a question that I don’t know the answer to, I will do my best to find it.  I will also encourage the participation of any and all citizens regardless of affiliation, belief system, political party, etc.

James V. Sallusto (R)

My wife, Liz, and I built our home in Yulan, NY, back in 1995, and ever since, we’ve cherished our tight-knit community. With a career spanning four decades, I’ve managed various businesses, and my family actively operates local establishments like Barryville Car Wash and Next Gen Dumpster Rental Services. As an independent thinker, my commitment runs deep for our town and its residents. I’m a staunch advocate for preserving our environment and safeguarding our precious natural resources. Equally passionate about the vitality of small, local businesses, I strive to bolster our community’s economic health. I firmly believe in optimizing processes to attract new enterprises while ensuring adherence to existing regulations.

Throughout my career, two key principles have guided me: making decisions grounded in facts and truth rather than hearsay, and transparently communicating these decisions. While not everyone may always agree with every decision, providing clear explanations fosters respect and trust, forming a lasting loyalty within our community.

Superintendent of Highways 

Joe Barnes (D) (Sullivan United)

Orson J. Davis Jr. (C )

James Akt (R)

My name is Jim Akt and I’m running for Highway Superintendent in the Town of Highland. I’ve worked my entire life in the excavation business, first with my father in Pond Eddy NY, where we were contracted by O&R to work on their dams and other heavy excavation. I was taught by my father all facets of large-scale projects. I was fortunate to learn from this experience, which only comes from decades of hard work. I’ve had my own business for over 20 years and continue to work on/install bridges, dams, lakes, site/prep, septic systems, new home construction, driveways and paving. I have maintained roads/snow plowed in several HOAs for years. My knowledge also includes maintenance/repairs on all heavy equipment and trucks.

My experience will enable me to provide the highest/best value for taxpayers. My focus will be on keeping our roads safe and well maintained, especially during weather events.

Read the full election 2023 roundup here.