The first step in our effort to return government to the people is to elect candidates to office who will adhere to the Conservative Principles outlined on the Home Page. To achieve that, we endorsed the following candidates who have either proven themselves worthy by past actions or have shown promise for future actions.
For Supervisor — Paul Andreassen
I am a lifelong resident of Saugerties. Attended Saugerties schools, played football, served in the military and returned to my hometown in the seventies.
I am a current member of the Saugerties Town Board, liaison to Diaz Ambulance, Building, Planning and Zoning, Sewer and Water Departments, Historic Preservation Commission, Tourism, Ethics Committee and a member of the Ulster County IDA (Industrial Development Agency).
I am a former seven year member of the Town and County Planning Boards. I was the building inspector in Saugerties for ten years before moving on to the Department of State Codes Division in Albany. I was the building inspector in New Paltz, Town of Ulster and Woodstock as well.
I currently teach the building code course at SUNY Columbia Greene as well as other locations in Orange, Ulster and Dutchess counties and work primarily as a building consultant, home inspector and commercial building evaluator with an emphasis on building and fire codes.
I reside in Malden-on-Hudson with my wife and we have three grown children. We are expecting our 5th granddaughter on June 25th (the same day as the primary).
I look forward to the support of all residents, enrolled in a party or not, on becoming their next Town Supervisor.
For further information, Paul may be reached at:
Andreassen Associates, LLC
PO Box 212
Malden on Hudson, NY 12453
845-332-7395 (text/email/voice)
845-246-6414 x 2 (office)
845-246-6414 (fax)
pandreasseninspector@gmail.com
To read
Paul’s Thoughts for Saugerties’ Future,
click here
To See Paul’s Album,
click here
To see Paul’s movie “Redondo Beach,”
click here
To read about Paul’s announcement, as covered in Hudson Valley One,
click here
For Town Board —Michael Ivino
Born and raised here in Saugerties, a 25-year resident. Ive witnessed our town turn to a very “unfriendly” Saugerties. If we continue to pursue the path we are on, we will lead ourselves to our own demise. I’ve been a very active member of the Centerville-Cedar Grove Fire District for eight years now, three of which I’ve been a Lieutenant for and two of which i’ve been a Commissioner for. Graduating from Saugerties High School I stepped into my career path with locally J&J Tree Works and have been in management there for seven years. I take great pride in my community involvement whether it be for the Fire Service or business and just volunteering to do things in general. I intend to bring that involvement to the Town Board and continue my service to the Town working for YOU, the TAXPAYER. I began the journey of running for office two years ago and I allowed the “good ole boy” politics stand in my way of running last year and couldn’t let that happen again. I will work for you, it’s for the PEOPLE not the POLITICS!
In an ever-changing world, how can we stand for a government that doesn’t change with it? Local politics is the foundation of the larger picture, flowing into county and state politics. The path we choose to take dictates the future of our town. We need to choose wisely about our spending and what we introduce to the town. We cannot afford to rubber stamp sensitive issues for our own agenda nor can we sit on topics of growth for YEARS! We have ideas that we cannot afford but still fund, while departments like our ambulance service, water department, and animal shelter struggle to keep the lights on.
In a recent meeting with the Seniors of Saugerties I was asked about our infrastructure, specifically our Senior Center. Why is this building neglected? I ask that myself, why are a lot of our Parks and Rec, Buildings and Grounds in need of more? A department with a combined budget of three-million dollars should be able to do a lot more than what we now offer. Why do we need parents to fix fences at a ball-field or help clean and paint dugouts? This is absurd! Why is our animal shelter in shambles? Why can’t we afford to put a roof on our ice rink? If you do not ask questions and confront the issues that may not always be pleasant you will not get anywhere! I will ask those questions, I will challenge what’s presented if it’s not adequate. I will be the voice of reason to work for YOU.
We need to think about our town and community of people first and allow us to flourish while working for the best outcome on all levels. It shouldn’t be a question of whether or not you can afford to live in Saugerties but a question of do you want to live here. I can count on one hand the amount of people I graduated with that can afford to live here and are moving to Green County or out of the State for the bigger picture!
I will work for you! Everyone as a whole, no matter their party affiliation. Your voice will be heard through mine and we will succeed for the betterment of Saugerties, a greener, safer, and more prosperous Saugerties!
To see Mike’s Album,
click here
To see Mike’s Animal Shelter Album,
click here
For Legislator (District 1) — Mary Wawro
Being around children is a common theme for Mary Wawro and this makes her ever mindful of the future. Mary realized that her love of, and dedication to, her own children, along with her family management skills, proved she was well suited for providing daycare to others. This labor of love became Mary’s Little Lambs Day Care which has been successfully serving Saugerties parents for over twenty-five years.
In operating a successful small business, Mary has mastered the skills of task management, maintaining rigorous licensing and child daycare regulations, and customer service. Mary knows first-hand that small businesses are the backbone of this country and that Ulster County needs to do more to support and draw in small business entrepreneurs.
As a single mother and now grandmother, Mary understands the difficulties of running a household in Ulster County, the lack of decent paying jobs, and the way taxes have adversely affected people’s basic need for housing. Mary juggled household and business duties with being a room mother at her children’s school, a den mother for Cub Scouts, and a Girl Scout Leader. Mary taught religious education classes at her church and worked on her church’s program to help those in need.
The daughter of Bill and Irene Geick, Mary grew up in the Blue Mountain hamlet of western Saugerties and graduated from Saugerties High School. In her younger days, Mary worked in her dad’s beer and soda discount stores; where she gained an appreciation for hard work as well as running a small business. Mary is the proud mother of five wonderful children: Joshua, Katrina, Alek, Natasha, and Nadia and four beautiful grandchildren, Charlie Alexis, Franceska, Luchiano, and Chloe. It is her grandchildren’s future that motivates Mary to become involved and help forge positive changes for her neighbors in Ulster County.
In addition to being chair of Legislative Programs, Education and community Services Committee, a committee member of Energy and Environment committee. Mary has served on The Ulster Coalition against Narcotics, an issue to which she has passionately has devoted countless hours.
Co-sponsoring with fellow legislators a NARCAN training in Saugerties , volunteering with the Woodstock Police Department PARI (Police Assisted Recovery Initiative). She also volunteered with the Hope Rocks Festival, held this past August, to address addiction and suicide. Mary serves as the Legislative appointee to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Board. Mary is now seeking a fifth term as your District 1 legislator.
For Legislator (District 2) — Al Bruno
I am a life long area resident, born and raised in Glasco. Currently living in Malden with my wife Lisa. I have a daughter Traci, and two step daughters Meghan and Mackenzie Rapp.
A 1979 graduate of Saugerties High school. I attended Ulster County Community College.
Employed for most of my adult life in the HVAC field. I was an instructor at Ulster County BOCES teaching the adult ed. oil heat program. In addition, I have worked in the Radiant heat industry, designing, installing and servicing all types of energy efficient comfort systems. I am currently employed in the engineering Dept. at Vassar Bros. Medical Center, specializing as an HVAC technician. As well as representing 900 employees as a union delegate with SEIU local 1199.
I have been involved with community service by attending 90+% of all town board meetings in the last several years, as well as several town committees. Including, Current chairman of the Saugerties Board of assessment review. Current chairman of the Saugerties Ethics committee. I am a member of the Saugerties Transportation Advisory committee. I am also a former member of Saugerties Conservation Advisory committee/Climate Smart Committee.
Outside of town work, I also am the NYS coordinator of the “Warrior Watch Riders” and “A Hero’s Welcome”. Providing welcome home and escort events for our brave men and women of the armed forces. I also belong to MSAWI (Major Stuart A. Wolfer Institute), sending care packages to our troops all over the world.
In addition, I am also a member in good standing with the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association and the NRA.
For Legislator (District 3) — Dean Fabiano
It has been my pleasure to serve the Towns of Saugerties and Ulster on the Ulster County Legislature. During my seven terms, I have supported the consolidation of departments and encouraged efficient operation to save our hard-working tax payers’ dollars.
Government leaders must work together to stimulate the local economy and create good paying jobs to provide opportunities for our young people to live and work in Ulster County. During the eight years I served as Chairman of the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Works & Capital Projects, under both Democrat and Republican Chairmen, I focused on careful review of county projects to guarantee our facilities, roads and bridges are maintained economically and efficiently. I continue to bring that same level of review in my role as Deputy Chair of the Committee.
With that same focus in mind, I co-sponsored the legislation which created the committee to oversee the Ulster County Family Court facility relocation project to protect against a repeat of the cost over runs and construction issues encountered with the Ulster County Law Enforcement Center. As a member of that oversight committee I believe my experience, knowledge and fiscal responsibility was a valuable asset and am happy to report that the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
I couldn’t be more proud to call Saugerties my home and work every day to make it a better place for our families. I will continue to bring my common-sense approach to county government. There will never be confusion as to where I stand on any issue and I always welcome the opportunity to discuss any matter.
Personal Information
- Husband to Lori
- Proud father of Shana and Shelby
- Education
- Graduate of Saugerties High School, 1977
- Town of Saugerties Highway Department, 40 years
- Union Representative, Teamsters Local 445
Political Experience
- Ulster County Legislature, District 3, 7 terms
o Chairman, Public Works & Capital Projects Committee, 8 years
o Deputy Chair, Public Works & Capital Projects Committee, 3 years o Member, Law Enforcement & Public Safety Committee, 3 years
o Member of Committee to Oversee the Ulster County Family Court
Facility Relocation Project - Ulster County Republican Committee
- Saugerties Republican Committee
Community Affiliations
- Glasco Fire Department
- Sons of the American Legion, Life Member
- Saugerties Elks Lodge
- Saugerties Lions Club
- Ulster County Community Action, past member, 8 years
o Vice Chairman, 2 years
o Chairman, Personnel Committee, 4 years
Church Affiliation
For District Attorney — Michael Kavanagh
The idea of running for District Attorney was not borne overnight. In fact, it has been a dream of mine since I was a young boy. During my childhood, I would sit at the dinner table with my family and listen to my father talk about his job as District Attorney. He would tell us about his trials or practice his summations on us and I would be mesmerized.
Now, nearly forty years later, I am running for the very position my father held, District Attorney of Ulster County. My journey to get to this point has been a wonderful adventure. It has exposed me to so many wonderful people from all walks of life. I have made lifelong friendships and met truly courageous people. But the journey has not been without witnessing heartbreak and tragedy, two things that are all too common in this line of work
The childhood I mentioned took place in Woodstock, where I lived with my parents and sister Megan. We lived in Maverick Park and then moved to Lower Byrdcliffe Road. I went to Onteora High School and then Fordham University before attending Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, PA.
My first job out of law school was with the Dutchess County DA’s office where I spent over seven incredible years as an Assistant and then Sr. Assistant DA. As I moved through different Bureaus in the office I gained invaluable training in many facets of being a prosecutor. It was early on during my tenure there that I had my first felony trial. As intimidating as that experience was, it was made even more terrifying by the fact that my star witness was movie icon James Earl Jones. Fortunately, we obtained a conviction although it probably had much more to do with Mr. Jones than me.
Curious to learn if the grass was in fact greener on the other side, my wife Jen and I moved to Austin, Texas where I practiced law with my best friend from law school. There, my practice focused primarily on criminal defense and some civil litigation. Although there were many great experiences in Austin, one of the most rewarding was when Jen and I became involved in the Goodwill Mentoring Program. We worked with at-risk kids to help them find a career path. I will never forget how proud I was when I learned that the encouragement had paid off and my mentee, Alex, had successfully became a radiology technician.
After almost two years in Austin, we moved back to the Hudson Valley and Ulster County area to raise a family in what, to us, has always been home. I joined the law firm of Mainetti, Mainetti & O’Connor where I continued practicing criminal defense, as well as personal injury law. During this time, I was also appointed as a Special Prosecutor when the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office had a conflict of interest. Finally, I worked as Counsel to the Ulster County Legislature, where I provided legal advice to the majority members.
During this time, Jen and I settled into our home in Saugerties, a community that we love dearly. We have two beautiful, funny and sometimes crazy daughters - Regan who is 10 and Aislin who is 8. We spend most of our free time as soccer, softball, basketball, dance and gymnastics parents, either coaching or cheering on our girls.
In early 2012, I began what has been, without question, the best job I have ever had when I took a job as an Ulster County Assistant District Attorney under Holley Carnright. While I have been in this office, we have accomplished some remarkable things.
In 2017, we were recognized by the state for our aggressive prosecution of domestic abusers and selected to be the first office in New York to launch the pilot program called Intimate Partner Violence Intervention, which utilizes a community-based preventative approach to combat domestic violence.
We have also partnered with the finest group of addiction recovery specialists in the county to bring the fight against the opioid epidemic to our schools. I am a member of the county-wide Heroin Task Force that puts on powerful and moving presentations in our high schools to educate students and parents about the dangers of opioids, to de-stigmatize addiction and offer hope and help to those affected by addiction. I am also a member of the Ulster County Opioid Task Force which is a think tank designed to find solutions to this epidemic, focusing on reducing both the supply and demand of opioids in our county. Knowing that we cannot incarcerate our way out of this crisis, we are constantly exploring new treatment-based solutions that will enable addicts to heal and return to prosperity.
Additionally, I am incredibly proud of our Family and Child Advocacy Center and the work they do. The FCAC is a multiagency cooperative effort that utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach in the investigation, assessment, prosecution, victim advocacy and medical/mental health treatment involving child abuse victims and their non-offending caregivers.
We have also partnered with the Elder Abuse Task Force where I have been a panelist at conferences designed to educate our seniors about crimes that target them, as well as to provide information about programs designed to keep them safe, secure and healthy.
On a much less serious note, for the last two years I had the unique and exciting experience of being a Courtroom Consultant for the television series, “The Sinner” and “The Sinner 2”, where I worked with Jessica Biel and Bill Pullman. I was on set for many of the courtroom shoots and found the entire process fascinating.
In all, I have worked as an Assistant DA in Ulster County for seven years. The last four of those years have been spent serving as the Chief Assistant. As such, I have successfully prosecuted some of the most dangerous criminals this county has seen, including murderers, rapists, gang members, domestic abusers and profit-seeking drug dealers. I hope to be able to put my twenty years of experience in the criminal justice system to work and to continue serving this wonderful and vibrant county as your District Attorney.
Thank you for taking the time to visit this page and to learn more about me.
Mike Kavanagh
For Ulster County Executive—Jack Hayes
Jack Hayes was born in Brooklyn. His family moved to Dairyland (Ulster County) NY when he was twelve. He graduated from Fallsburg Central School with a NYS Regents diploma. He played varsity soccer. He then attended SUNY Delhi and got an Associates Degree in Construction Business.
Shortly after graduation Jack joined the United States Navy. He had hoped to get assigned to the See Bees (Construction Battalion) which was a Vietnam billet at the time. He did not get his first choice but rather accepted marine engineering “Boilerman” with the promise of two schools. He was assigned to the Sixth Fleet and “steamed” in the Atlantic and North Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caribbean Sea. Jack once again volunteered for duty off the coast of Vietnam when he transferred from the USS KD Bailey DDR 713 to the USS Zellars DD 777. The Zellars had orders for Vietnam duty. It was not to be. The order was changed a week before the ship was to depart and he was assigned to a North Atlantic NATO mission.
Jack tested for the New York State Police while home on leave and was chosen to become a Trooper. He spent thirty-three years in the New York State Police, rising to Sergeant, Station Commander, Zone Sergeant and Emergency Management Non-Commissioned Officer. He served at numerous stations: Ellenville, Highland, Kingston and Middletown to name a few.
While stationed at SP Highland, Jack re-enlisted in the New York State Air National, serving in: Civil Engineering, the 137th Air Wing – Loadmaster C 5-A, and the Maintenance Training Section.
Jack served thirty-three years with the State Police and twenty-two years with the US Navy and Air National Guard.
Shortly after retiring he was asked to run for Town Supervisor of Gardiner, NY and was elected to that position. He was also asked to run for Ulster County Legislature and was elected to represent the Town of Gardiner and parts of the Towns of Shawangunk and New Paltz. In the Legislature he chaired the Public Safety Committee and the Re-entry Task Force.
Jack is an active parishioner at Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Gardiner and was a Parrish Council member of Saint Joseph’s Church of New Paltz, NY. Jack recently ended a term of service with the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency Board. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, New Paltz, The Elks, the 105th Air Wing Alumni (Secretary), the Former State Troopers Tri-State Chapter and the Wawarsing Rod and Gun Club.
Jack is the proud father of Devon, Ian and Colin, and the very proud grandfather of Sophia, Gaia, Carter and Declan, and the equally proud father-in-law of Liz and Amanda; step-parent of two very spoiled rescue cats, Shadow and July and grand-dog, Brody.
For Ulster County Comptroller—Lisa Cutten
Lisa Cutten was born in Poughkeepsie and raised in Hyde Park graduating from Franklin D Roosevelt High School in 1976. She has two sisters and a brother. Lisa went off to college at the Pleasantville campus of Pace University and graduated with a BBA in Accounting in 1980. While most of her classmates went to work in Greenwich, Connecticut or Manhattan, Lisa wanted to return to the Mid-Hudson Valley. Lisa began her public accounting career by accepting a staff accountant position at an Albany CPA firm, which had clients in the Mid-Hudson area. That same year, Lisa was married and settled with her husband in Germantown, NY Columbia County.
During that first year, 20-year-old Lisa performed services for many types of businesses and included compilation, review and audit of financial statements as well as tax return preparation and dealing with her first fraudsters. After a year of experience in public accounting, Lisa secured a position in public accounting in Kingston NY at Ronder, Legg, Sperry & Company CPAs, contributing to her appreciation for Ulster County.
Lisa passed the CPA exam (2 1⁄2 days), completed the required audit experience and was awarded her CPA license by NYS in 1983. She got great experience working at this Kingston CPA firm where she also worked with various types of businesses and non-profits; compiling, reviewing and auditing financial statements as well as preparing tax returns and performing management advisory services. Some businesses records literally came into the office in a shoebox or paper bag and others resided on mainframe computers. Lisa developed an expertise in the office for first time engagements, complex bank reconciliations, construction contractors and non-profits. These engagements were complicated and provided great training ground for local government accounting, auditing and finance. In 1985, Lisa and her family bought their first home in Kingston.
On January 1, 1986, Lisa was appointed as the Kingston City Treasurer/Chief Fiscal Officer by Mayor Dick White thereby launching her public service career. She was the first Treasurer to be appointed based on qualifications, not politics. At that time, Kingston’s financial operation were in dire straits and Lisa got right to work, correcting bank reconciliations that were off by more than $2 million and putting checks and balances in place. Lisa rolled up her sleeves and got to work making a real difference in budgetary controls, budget preparation and presentation, auditing of claims, questioning home relief charges, putting internal controls in place, implementing the computer system, reconciling bank accounts, and heading up a team of city officials to get properties back on the tax rolls requiring the properties be improved as a condition of sale.
Lisa accepted a position with a local construction company and marina operation while in her second term as City Treasurer. When John Amarello was elected Kingston Mayor Lisa was offered the City Treasurer position once again. It was then that Lisa realized that the public service bug had bitten her, and she heeded the call back to public service. Lisa found the experience of serving in local government very rewarding. She understands what a big difference providing financial accountability makes in people’s lives and how important responsible handling of taxpayer money can give them faith in their government as well as keep their taxes lower while providing the services they need.
Lisa went on to serve as the Comptroller in the Towns of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill where her accomplishments and responsibilities were comparable to the City of Kingston. She also had her own CPA consulting business and worked for the Kingston CPA firm. During that time Lisa worked on the audits of for the Towns of Woodstock and New Paltz, did consulting for the Towns of Gardiner and Denning, the Village of Tivoli, the Kingston Library and others.
In 2006 Lisa was appointed by the Ulster County Legislature as the County Auditor. This was after the County Charter was adopted but before it was implemented and before the County had an elected Executive and Comptroller. The authority of the County Auditor was to audit claims presented to the County for payment. Lisa had done this work at the City of Kingston and the Towns of Poughkeepsie & Fishkill.
When a questionable payment request came across her desk for approval in the first 2 weeks as County Auditor, she started asking questions and let nothing deter her from getting to the root of the problem, despite intense organizational and political pressure. She produced a 33+ page report and made a presentation to the County Legislature along with the District Attorney, County Attorney and a forensic auditor. The Legislature sent the matter to the NYS Attorney General to investigate and prosecute. They did so and the Supreme Court decision says that between 2002 and 2006, the non-profit Lower Esopus Riverwatch was paid $1.7 million and they were successful in stealing hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars during that time. Lisa never approved the payment which is what forced the investigation and stopped the fraud from continuing.
Lisa resigned from the County Auditor position to pursue a consulting career from 2008 until 2011 when she was hired by the County Comptroller as the Senior Auditor. She worked on implementing the County Charter duties of the Comptroller. In 2012 she was tapped by the County Executive to be the Deputy Budget Director. Lisa served in that capacity until she was again promoted by the County Executive to the position of Director of Accountability, Compliance & Efficiency, serving for 5 years from 2014 to 2019.
Lisa has been preparing her entire career to serve the people of Ulster County as their Comptroller. She knows the value of being able to root out fraud, waste and abuse, which is the area where the Comptroller has the authority to really make a difference. The audit of the departments, programs, services, contracts etc. provide an opportunity to recommend improvements in County operations, which the County Executive and other County officials can consider for implementation. This work requires experience in performing auditing procedures, quality assurance measures, leadership and hands-on work in local government audit and finance, knowledge of the books & records as well as County operations. Experience in the fields of accounting, auditing and local government finance are what prepare Lisa to offer practical solutions that can be considered and prepare reports that are factually correct. Lisa also has a proven track record in standing up for the taxpayers despite pushback from politicians and others. Lisa can do the job of Comptroller and will do the job.
You can Count on Cutten to be an advocate for the taxpayers. She has a proven track record.
Lisa raised her family in Kingston and lives there now. She is very proud of her two daughters, Katrina and Minton, who are practicing nurses and live in the area with their husbands. Lisa is thrilled to be grandma to Benet and Jack. Lisa has a long history of community service in Ulster County.