Democrat File Photo TOWN OF FREMONT Supervisor James Greier presides over a board meeting. Just visible is Town of Fremont Highway Superintendent Joe Niero.

Greier new Dem Chair; Election Commish to be named

By Fred Stabbert III
MONTICELLO — The untimely death of Democratic stalwart Timothy Hill last week left two gaps in Democratic Party circles – namely, Sullivan County Democratic Election Commissioner and Sullivan County Democratic Party Chair.
The chairmanship has already been filled by Fremont Supervisor James Greier. Greier, who also served as Associate Chair of the Democratic Committee, automatically assumed the chairmanship post as per the by-laws of the committee.
He will serve out the remainder of Hill’s term, which expires near the end of 2009. Following Greier’s move up to chair, Darryl Kaplan of Thompson was named Associate Chair of the committee.
The filling of the Sullivan County Election Commissioner’s seat is more involved.
Next Wednesday, May 7, the executive committee of the Sullivan County Democratic Party will meet at The Little Texas Ranch in Obernburg to interview potential candidates.
The Democrat learned yesterday that Faith Kaplan, Board of Elections Deputy Commissioner for the last 16 years, will throw her hat into the ring.
“I would like to step up,” said Faith Kaplan, whose husband is Darryl. “I have done the job and had the most wonderful teacher in the world to teach me. Besides being my teacher, Tim Hill was my friend – that is the hardest part of all.”
Other candidates will probably come forward at Wednesday’s meeting and then the executive committee will meet with the full Sullivan County Democratic Party Committee in June to select a candidate for the Commissioner’s job.
Their recommendation will then be forwarded to the Sullivan County Legislature for final approval.
Greier was in Albany yesterday at the New York State Democratic Party Convention and unavailable for comment.