CALLICOON — The Sullivan County Republican Committee held their annual dinner party at the Villa Roma Resort Clubhouse last Friday, October 15. The event was put on in attempts to raise awareness for the upcoming voting season, initiate a push for the polls, as well as introduce the Republican candidates running for the various positions in the upcoming elections.

The ceremony began with Alan Kesten, introducing Charlie Breiner, who gave the Pledge of Allegiance, followed immediately with the singing of the National Anthem by Albee Bockman, and Innvocation by Pastor William Chellis.

Following these, U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin was introduced as the evening’s honored guest speaker.
“I truly believe that we are battling for the heart and soul of our country and our state,” Zeldin said in his opening remarks. “I feel like in a way it’s last stand time.”

Zeldin urged the crowd of dinner attendees and members of the Republican Party of Sullivan County to go out and vote in the next few upcoming weeks. Zeldin is currently running against Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul for Governor of New York.

Congressman Zeldin shared his political goals and ideas with the crowd, a few being his belief on setting term limits within Congress and the House, getting Americans back to work, and his discontent for the proposed amendments on the back of New York’s State Ballots for this upcoming election.

Following Zeldin’s speech, Chairman of the Sullivan County Republican Committee Gary Maas introduced the next guest speakers. Those included County Treasurer Nancy Buck, County Sheriff Mike Schiff, Attorney General candidate John Sarcone and State Senator Mike Martucci.

Buck and Schiff are both running unopposed for reelection this November for the positions of County Treasurer and County Sheriff respectively.

“It is something that is really heart warming, and that I feel that I have support out there from all over,” Buck said.

Schiff followed Buck in turn. “This year is important. We’ve got to get our government operating in a way we find acceptable,” he said. “We have to pull together as we always have in this county.”

Schiff also thanked the crowd for their support. Lastly, he concluded his speech with a push for the polls. “Get people out to vote and get conservatives in place to get our government back,” Schiff said.

Sarcone spoke next. Previously a Senior Executive in the Trump Administration, Sarcone is currently running for Attorney General this November against incumbent Letita James.

”I served honorably and I served proudly,” he said.

Sarcone told the crowd of his goals for the position and of his dedication to law enforcement officers.

“My father was a police officer. It’s personal with me,” he said.

State Senator Mike Martucci followed Sarcone in turn. Along with urging those in attendance to go out and vote, he spoke of gratitude and thanks towards local voters and supporters, as well as fire service and health care workers.

“One of the things I love the most about Sullivan County is you have some of the best volunteer fire service in the entire state of New York,” Martucci said, which was met with great applause.

The ceremonies were then closed out by Chairman Gary Maas as the dinner slowly came to an end.

“I want to thank you all for coming out tonight,“ Maas said, calling the entire event a success.