Leggio gets nod at GOP caucus
Town Republicans turn to experience, nominate Antonelli, Carl
The Daily Mail
July 1, 2009

CATSKILL — Catskill town Republicans Tuesday nominated incumbent Councilman Robert Antonelli and former councilman Joseph Leggio to run for positions on the Town Board, and Town Justice Robert Carl to hold his seat on the bench at the Republican Party caucus.

Leggio took the first bid, with 52 votes to Greene County Sheriff’s deputy Gary Carlsen’s 36 votes and Antonelli’s 35 votes. Antonelli then defeated Carlson in a runoff of with 65 votes to 53 votes.

More than 120 Republican party members filled the town courtroom to listen to speeches and choose their candidates. The caucus was moderated by the party chairman, Catskill Town Supervisor Peter Markou.

Frank Porto III made the first nomination of the night putting forth incumbent Justice Robert Carl for re-election.

Porto said Carl, who has served as justice for 24 years, is highly respected for his values.

“He is truly a credit to our community, to the elected position he holds and to the Republican Party,” Porto said.

Carl serves as Assistant Chief of the Leeds Fire Company and is a member of the New York State Magistrates Association, Porto said.

Myron Deyo seconded the nomination, saying that Carl is very fair but tough when necessary.

Carl accepted the nomination and addressed the audience.

He thanked his wife and the party, as well as the court staff for their support over the years.

“We are in the top 50 courts in the State of New York,” he said.

Antonelli, who has served on the Town Board for 12 years, was nominated for re-election by Stanley Dushane.

“He is a conscientious person. He is an honest person,” Dushane said.

The nomination was seconded by Town Tax Collector Michael DeBenedictus. DeBenedictus said a councilman who is serving the community and not his own agenda has a knowledge of all issues and takes the job seriously.

“There is not anything taken up at by the Catskill Town Board that Robert Antonelli does not know about,” he said.

Antonelli told the audience about his work on behalf of the Town of Catskill Ambulance and for renovation work at the senior center and Town Hall.

He noted that the Town had been able to pay off its bonds for all its projects except for the Ambulance while managing to raise the tax rate by about two percent each year.

“For 12 years, I think that is pretty good,” he said.

Other organizations that have benefited during his time on the Board include the Catskill Community Center and the soccer club, he said.

Carlsen was nominated next, by Jay Lucas.

Lucas told the audience of Carlsen’s years with the Catskill Village Police Department and as a Deputy with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department.

“Gary has shown me that he truly cares for the town,” he said.

Lionel Jenkins seconded the nomination, saying that Carlsen would be a fresh, young and different choice for councilman.

Carlson said his work in law enforcement has taught him a lot about Catskill’s problems and assets.

Carlson said he has protected Catskill residents at all hours of the day and night from large and small dangers.

He said he would always look for the best way to tackle issues facing the Town.

“My job is problem solving and I am very good at my job,” he said.Joseph Leggio was nominated by Jeffrey Holiday.

Holiday said the outspoken Leggio has the best interests of Catskill in mind.

“Joe has never had a self-serving agenda,” he said.

The nomination was seconded by Paul Razikas and Richard Carl.

Leggio, who lost his seat on the Board in 2007, said he has sat back and watched and listened to the Town Board.

He said residents need good representation at Board meetings because not every one of them attends meetings to voice their opinions and concerns.

“I want to continue to work for the people in the Town of Catskill,” he said. “There are people out there in need for a voice to speak up for them.”

Leggio said that once elected he would continue to work to make the right decisions to ensure a good quality of life for Catskill residents.

“Let’s go out in November and elect a lot of Republican candidates,” Markou said closing the caucus.