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County Conservatives hold annual dinner

by Derek Kirk
Posted 2/28/23

DELAWARE – The Sullivan County Conservative Party hosted a crowd of political contenders and supporters on February 23 at the Clubhouse at the Villa Roma Resort in the Town of Delaware for a …

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County Conservatives hold annual dinner

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DELAWARE – The Sullivan County Conservative Party hosted a crowd of political contenders and supporters on February 23 at the Clubhouse at the Villa Roma Resort in the Town of Delaware for a fundraiser dinner and meet-and-greet event.

Sullivan County Conservative Party Chair Ed Magilton greeted those in attendance with a short lesson on the Conservative Party’s updated mascot, which is meant to rival the iconic symbols of the historic Republican elephant and the Democratic Donkey.

Representing the Conservative Party stands a North American Beaver, an animal native to the region with the ability to change the environment to suit its needs, holding up the party’s former symbol of a lone torch.

Endorsements for political candidates are beginning to emerge from various political organizations throughout the county. 

“We need to elect individuals who, without a doubt, want to serve all the people they are supposed to represent,” Magilton said. “Those who are here for nothing but personal gains, to boost their personal egos, to settle personal vendettas or grudges should not be a representative.”

The County Conservatives will be interviewing candidates in the near future, prior to making endorsements.

Guest speakers invited to address the crowd were Sullivan County Acting DA Brian Conaty, who was recently endorsed by the Sullivan County Democratic Committee, and New York’s 51st Senate District Representative, Senator Peter Oberacker. 

Conaty spoke on his personal and political background, highlighting his youth spent in Sullivan County being “raised in a Conservative family,” his beliefs in protecting the 2nd Amendment under the U.S. Constitution, and his desire to alter the recent State bail reform laws.

Additionally, Conaty noted that his work in recent years has earned him the office he now holds and is campaigning for as Acting DA, and how he was entrusted in the line of succession from former DA, New York State Supreme Court Judge of the Third Judicial District, the Hon. Megan K. Galligan.

Hope Not Handcuffs and the fight against Sullivan County’s low health ratings is a focus for Conaty, stating that they recently secured $1.3 million to fund this initiative from the ongoing opioid settlement funds. 

Pursuant to the settlement funds, the DA office is set to receive $130,000 intended to secure several TruNarc kits.

Conaty noted that he has met with local law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, to determine a possible better use for the funds, as TruNarc kits are unable to be used to seek a conviction in trial. One possibility is to start an initiative to target individuals responsible for creating, selling, and transporting illegal opioids and other substances that negatively impact the  overall health of the county.

Although seated until the next election in 2024, New York’s 51st Senate District representative, Senator Oberacker, addressed the room stating that his office is planning to reopen and operate a satellite office out of former NYS Senator Mike Martucci’s office in Liberty.

Additionally, Oberacker shared his intent to support two pieces of State legislation in the future regarding EMS, with one bill that would make emergency services essential, and one bill that would secure roughly $1 million to fund a volunteer and paid hybrid county-wide emergency medical service.

The passion for EMS legislation for Oberacker comes from a personal experience of having to wait 43 minutes for an ambulance to arrive following a farming accident involving his son, who was able to eventually fully recover from the incident.

“What I am fighting for, for you all as well as for him, are the values that we all have, [and] the commitment to bring New York back [from the precipice]...With your help, we will get this done,” Oberacker said.

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