BY JIM AUSTIN
THE COOPERSTOWN CRIER
The Republican and Democratic parties will each hold a caucus at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, but the chairman of the village Democratic Committee is questioning the legality of the Republican caucus.
Democratic Chairman Richard Abbate said Tuesday that the Republicans did not file notice of their caucus with the board of elections until Monday, Jan. 23 past the deadline for filing. Notice of a caucus must be filed no later than 10 days prior to the date of the caucus. The Otsego County Board of Elections confirmed the Republican caucus notice was filed in its office on Monday.
“As far as we’re concerned, they are not in compliance with election law,” Abbate said. But whether the Democrats will contest the caucus by filing a grievance has not been decided. Abbate said they have until the day after the caucus to file a grievance if they choose to do so.
“I think we will move forward with it, but I’m not certain,” he said. “I don’t think it’s petty. It’s the rules. We feel it is an illegal caucus.” Republican Committee Chairman Mike Trosset did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.
If the Republican caucus is determined to be illegal, there would be no party candidates on the ballot. Candidates, including Republican Mayor Joe Booan, would have to run as independents and would have to circulate and file nominating petitions to have their names placed on the ballot.
The Republicans are scheduled to hold their caucus in the village meeting room and the Democrats will be in the fire hall. Each caucus will seek to nominate candidates to run for village office in the annual March election. Residents will elect a mayor and two members of the board of trustees. The term of office for the mayor is two years and for trustees it is three years.
Booan’s first two-year term as mayor is over at the end of March. He has declined to comment on whether he will seek a second term.
Willis Monie’s first three-year term on the board of trustees expires this year and it is very unlikely he will run again. Monie, a Republican, said earlier that his village home is on the market.
The other seat on the board to be filled during the election is held by James Dean, who was elected last march to fill the remaining year of Booan’s unexpired term. Dean, a Democrat, plans to seek election.
Local News
Dems say Republican caucus notice was late
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Caregivers and care partners play key role in getting well
