The Putnam Valley Democratic Committee is proud to announce a strong slate of candidates for this 2019 campaign season, including both seasoned incumbents and relative newcomers to local politics. All are experienced, tested, and highly active members of the Putnam Valley Community.
Leading the slate is incumbent Town Supervisor Sam Oliverio. From his service as a Platoon Leader in the U.S. Army, though his administrative positions in the Putnam Valley School System and his combined 27 years of government service: 5 years as a Putnam Valley Councilman, 18 years as Putnam County Legislator, and now 4 years as Town Supervisor, Sam has demonstrated true leadership, commitment and caring for all of the residents of Putnam Valley. No one, in recent memory, has done more for the people of Putnam Valley than Sam Oliverio.
Sherry Howard was the obvious choice for re-election to the office of Town Clerk, the position she has held since 2016. She brings a long history of public service and professional experience to the Town Clerk’s office, having previously served for 10 years as Senior Clerk of the Putnam Valley Department of Parks and Recreation. Ms. Howard has served as President of the Putnam Valley Historical Society, as liaison to the Continental Village District Advisory Commission and as Vice President of CSEA Local #840. She volunteers with Caitlyn’s Fight and was awarded the prestigious Robert J. Uplinger Award from the Lion’s Club for Distinguished Community Service.
Seeking seats on the Town Council are Ralph Smith and Anthony Williams, both well-known names in the Putnam Valley Community. A 32-year resident of the Town, Ralph Smith was a Special Education teacher for 35 years, 28 of them here in Putnam Valley, and was twice Union President of the Putnam Valley Federation of Teachers with terms as Chief Negotiator and Grievance Chairperson. He is currently serving his sixth year on the Putnam Valley Board of Education. Smith has a wife and daughter, volunteers with the Putnam Valley Food Pantry, is a lifeguard, a tutor, and a Hudson Valley Varsity Volleyball Official.
A dedicated husband and loving father of six, Anthony Williams currently serves on the Town’s Planning Board and was also elected to serve as a member of the Putnam Valley Library’s Board of Trustees. Williams plays an active role in the community where he is Vice Chair of the Putnam Valley Democratic Committee and a member of the Putnam Valley Historical Society, Lake Peekskill Civic Association, and the Friends of the Putnam Valley Library. He also serves as Secretary of the Advisory Council to the Westchester-Putnam Salvation Army. Williams ran for a seat on the Putnam County Legislature to represent Legislative District 2 in Putnam Valley and Carmel in 2017 where, as a relative unknown, he earned 47% of the vote. Both Town Board candidates hope to open greater dialogue between Town Government and the residents of Putnam Valley. Smith and Williams believe that residents need to be provided with as much information as possible, and everyone deserves to have their voices heard.
The Democrats choice for Town Justice is Terry Raskyn. A resident of the Town for 28 years, Ms. Raskyn is an attorney specializing in Elder Law, Guardianship, and Mortgage Foreclosure Refereeing. She is a Certified Mediator in the NYS Unified Court System, a member of the Putnam, Westchester, and New York State Bar Associations, as well as the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. Raskyn served as the Director of Public Information for the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office and had a career in journalism that included network and New York local radio and television. Raskyn earned a B.A., Cum Laude from Herbert H. Lehman College (CUNY) and a J.D., Cum Laude, from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. In addition to the many other organizations she works with in Putnam Valley, she is the current President of the Putnam Valley Library’s Board of Trustees.
When it comes to the roads and public works of Putnam Valley, there are few who know them better than the Democrats’ selection for Highway Superintendent, lifelong Putnam Valley resident Shawn Keeler. Keeler has worked with the Highway Department for 10 years as a laborer, and 3 years as the Department’s Shop Steward. While best known in Town for his incomparable Christmas-Lights display, a Putnam Valley tradition for 31 years, Keeler has volunteered with a variety of Town organizations and is well-known as someone who gets the job done!
The Putnam Valley Democrats look forward to your support leading up to the election in November, and welcome assistance from anyone interested in working with them to make Putnam Valley and even better place to live in and raise a family. The Putnam Valley Democratic Committee is always seeking additional committee members, volunteers, and potential candidates for office!
For More Information, Contact: Michael S. Bennett, Chairman
Putnam Valley Democratic Committee
PO Box 299 ♦ Putnam Valley, NY 10579
Home: (914) 949-4679 Cell/Text: (914) 592-9484
Chairman@PVDems.com