Dems tap Kaplan for Commissioner's post

By Fred Stabbert III
ROCK HILL — Faith Kaplan, Sullivan County Deputy Elections Commissioner, was picked to replace former Elections Commissioner Tim Hill, her boss for 15 years, who died in April following a long bout with cancer.
The Sullivan County Democratic Party committee chose Kaplan over former Highland Supervisor Andrew Boyar “by a wide margin,” according to Democratic Party Chair Jim Greier. Peggy Harrison of Narrowsburg dropped out of the race before the vote was taken.
The county committee meeting was held last Thursday at Bernie’s Holiday Inn in Rock Hill.
Kaplan’s nomination will now be forwarded to the Sullivan County Legislature for final approval.
“It’s up to them to put her in,” Greier said. The legislature’s next meeting is Thursday, June 19.
The Democratic committee also re-elected Robert Krutman of Fallsburg and Julie Allen of Rockland as State Committeemen. Allen was unopposed but Krutman had to defeat a nomination from the floor in the name of Kirk Orseck of Liberty.
“It’s good (for the party) to see contested races,” Greier said. “It shows interest and that people want to get involved.
“Everybody had a voice to nominate and elect whichever candidate they wanted,” he said. “And now we must stand behind our choices.”
Greier also reported that Steve Wilkinson, legislative aide to Assemblyman Aileen Gunther, was voted in as Vice Chair of the Party. He also serves as treasurer of the Sullivan County Democratic Committee.
He joins Chairman Greier, Co-Chair Darryl Kaplan of Thompson and Vice Chair Norman Meyer of Tusten on the board.
Getting ready for the fall
The Democratic committee also endorsed three candidates who are running for re-election this fall. U.S. Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey (D-22) of Kingston, was endorsed for re-election as well as Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-98) of Forestburgh.
B. Elton J. Harris of Roscoe was also endorsed in his re-election bid for Sullivan County Coroner.