Legislature hopefuls vie for new slots

The River Reporter
Thursday, September 14, 1995

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - Candidates for the new Sullivan County Legislature took the microphone at a September 7 debate hosted by the Sullivan County Business Association (SCBA) in Monticello.

Former county attorney and Industrial Development Authority counsel William Rosen detailed his qualifications for county office, pointing out that he is also a trustee of Sullivan County Community College. He and his family have been involved in local government for decades.

Rosen fended off charges of being part of the "old guard," stressing his years in government have taught him "how to get things done."

Opposing Rosen in District 8 is retired Sullivan County BOCES administrator and Liberty entrepreneur Robert Kunis.

Kunis has owned and managed Catskill Beverage for nine years. He serves on the boards of directors of the Partnership for Economic Development and SCBA. A newcomer to elective politics, Kunis claimed "winning a primary is very, very difficult."

Rosen and Kunis both live in Monticello. Both are 53.

Frumess vs. Stettner

Another former BOCES official, retired guidance counselor Peter Stettner, 60, is vying with Naomi Frumess, 50, for the Democratic line to run for District 5. While Stettner lives in White Sulphur Springs, Frumess lives in the Village of Liberty.

Neither have ever held office. "If you read Plato's Republic, by the time you're 60 you should do public service. That's where I'm at," said Stettner.

Both Frumess and Stettner stressed ideas for economic development. "The Delaware River National Park [sic] can be developed and looked at a little more than it has been," said Stettner, describing Sullivan County's economy as "riding the coat-tails of the hotels."

Frumess, 50, said she would seek government funds to support establishment of an Internet node in Sullivan County. Rosen has also said he would support such a measure.

A board member of Sullivan Performing Arts, Frumess indicated that if elected she would advocate for a restoration of public funding in that area. She is a professional dance instructor.

None of the candidates who spoke at the debate said they could swear that taxes will not go up if they are elected.

Liberty town candidates face off

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - Democratic candidates for Liberty town supervisor exchanged barbs about each other in a debate sponsored by the Sullivan County Business Association on September 7 at Carpenito's Restaurant in Monticello.

Four-year incumbent Jack I. Simons, 62, shared the dais with challenger Richard Martinkovic, 48, who boasts the Republican, Conservative and Democratic committee endorsements.

In the event Simons loses the primary -- slated for September 12 -- he could still run as an independent. But his chances in November would be hurt by Martinkovic tying up three party lines.

Simons chairs the Liberty town Democratic committee.

Martinkovic served as a Liberty village trustee from 1985 to 1988 and two years on the town board. Active in local and regional firefighting units, he is vice-president of the Sullivan County American Red Cross. He is a service manager for NYNEX.

Simons stressed his four years as supervisor and a military war record. Martinkovic admitted Simons has sought out and hired minorities to town political appointments, including Spanish speaking election inspectors. Simons is an insurance agent.

Issues both candidates addressed included what to do about polluted village drinking water in Liberty, veteran's benefits, taxes and police protection. Few points of sharp disagreement were evident.

Other Liberty candidates

Running for town board seats in Liberty are: incumbent Republican/ Conservative Patricia Hopkins; Democrats Joan Stoddard and Christopher Gozza; and Republican/Conservative Shirley Lindsley.

Republican/Conservative incumbent Liberty town clerk Janet Leroy is running unopposed.

Liberty town justice Richard Hering is endorsed by all three political parties.