Three candidates seeking to be CEO of Warrensburg

WARRENSBURG | A rare three-way contest to be the chief executive of Warrensburg town government has emerged, and the June 22 primary election will be deciding which one of two candidates will be representing the Republican party in the November election. Longtime Warrensburg Supervisor Kevin Geraghty is facing a challenge in the G.O.P. primary from former Warren County Sheriff Nathan "Bud" York, who retired in 2020 from the post after three four-year terms in the position. Warrensburg Town Board member Rich Larkin is the Democratic candidate for town supervisor, and he's already campaigning hard to line up support. Regardless of who wins the G.O.P. primary, both Geraghty and York will be on the ballot in November alongside Larkin, because York is running under the independent party label "Working For You," while Geraghty has the Conservative party endorsement. In a recent interview, York said that he is challenging Geraghty because of his belief in term limits: that elected governmental positions should turn over intermittently so people with new ideas or approaches can serve in positions of authority. "It is now time for new leadership in Warrensburg," York said, adding that Geraghty has been supervisor for 16 years and town councilman for 12 years prior. Geraghty, however, notes that those years in office have given him considerable knowledge of how to cut through bureaucracy and get projects achieved that are beneficial for area residents. He said that during his tenure, the Warrensburg Health Center moved from its crumbling former grocery-store building into its $9.5 million modern, multi-story facility that now hosts far more services for townspeople as well as providing dozens more good-paying jobs. Other projects that were realized during his tenure include the establishment of a new highway garage, replacement of aging town wells which have upgraded tapwater quality, and improvements to the town sewer plant that have cleaned up its effluent, as well as the renovation of the historic Floyd Bennett Bandstand. Most of these projects have been substantially funded by grants. York said that sharing information openly with the public is of prime importance, citing how Geraghty and the town board didn't fully inform the public about the planned and contracted solar farm development on town property located on the shoulder of Hackensack Mountain, which sparked substantial public opposition recently. York said he declared his candidacy several months ago when the solar project surfaced because years ago he was blindsided by the unannounced installation of solar panels on town recreational land behind his house — solar arrays which he has said apparently aren't operating or producing any benefit for the town. "I believe those in elected positions should be transparent when making decisions that affect the citizenry," he said. "Those who have power and control eventually become too comfortable in their position and tend to make decisions that are not well thought out and are detrimental to those who elected them. If elected, I will guarantee transparency and will make no important decisions for the town without the input of all citizens." Geraghty said he also believes in open government, and that is how the town government has been run in the past, but the COVID lockdown temporarily constrained the ability to communicate effectively with the public. As for the solar project, Geraghty said that he and the board did indeed consider the objections of the public, and successfully negotiated a termination agreement with the solar developer with no net expense to taxpayers. "We listened and took action," he said, noting his initial intention in working with the solar developer was to bring $900,000 or more in tax relief to taxpayers. In two recent town meetings, Geraghty has said that he and the board have learned from the solar farm controversy to approach such initiatives in the future with more research, caution, and advance public input. Geraghty also cites his many years of experience crafting budgets that are cost-efficient at both the town and county level. He noted that the tax rate has decreased substantially during his tenure as supervisor. York cites his knowledge of budgets, noting that he has managed a $25 million annual budget of the county Sheriff's office, and has managed 250 employees rather than the 50 or so in town government, and has negotiated union contracts to taxpayers' benefit. Geraghty, however, as county budget officer, has handled budgets of $155 million or more — and he also served as an interim county Administrator at a nominal rate and has aided department heads in boosting efficiency and maximizing their effectiveness. Geraghty notes he was drafting county budgets during the Great Recession of 2018-2019 and he trimmed government spending substantially without affecting municipal services. Rich Larkin has called for change, as York has. He has said that the town needs to be led by someone with new ideas to spur economic growth in town. Larkin was named by Geraghty to be the town board's liaison on economic development ventures. "The majority of the Warrensburg community would like to see more forward motion," Larkin said. Larkin has been personally working on reopening Hickory Hill Ski Center for use by town residents, particularly youth, which Geraghty has been wary of, as he doesn't want to have taxpayers accept a financial burden that might turn out to be quite costly. Larkin has already opened up Hickory Hill for various programs without governmental support, although the sledding-tubing-skiing venue for youth hasn't yet come to reality — but it may in several years.

Signup for our newsletter

Three candidates seeking to be CEO of Warrensburg

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS