Gilberg Gets Clerk's Nod; Other Changes Coming in County

By Fred Stabbert III
MONTICELLO — January 30, 2007 — The Sullivan County Democratic Committee has tapped long-time Fallsburg resident Neil Gilberg to be the next Sullivan County Clerk.
Nearly 100 registered Democrats from across Sullivan County convened Thursday night at Bernie’s Holiday Restaurant to discuss “a number of things.”
Sullivan County Democratic Party Chair Timothy Hill said the committee had several things on its plate, including picking a name of the person to replace outgoing County Clerk George Cooke, who’s resignation takes effect on February 2 as part of a court settlement between him and his former deputy.
“Mr. Gilberg’s name is going to be forwarded to Governor Eliot Spitzer for his approval,” Hill said yesterday afternoon. “All the other candidates were excellent and each had their own supporters.”
But in the end, Gilberg attracted a majority of the county committee votes to earn the recommendation of his county committee.
Also vying for the position were former college employee and Monticello manager Richard Sush, Highland Town Clerk Doreen Hanson and former Monticello policeman and Jeffersonville Mayor Frank Armstrong.
“Neil is very experienced in management and a great deal of what he’ll do in the county clerk’s office is similar to what he does at Kutsher’s — dealing with the public in a professional manner,” Hill said. “We are looking forward to his appointment and have every confidence we will serve the people of Sullivan County for a very, very long time.
“Likewise, we are going to miss George Cooke, who was a great county clerk,” Hill said.
Gilberg’s appointment to the $67,500-a-year post will take effect as soon as the Governor gives his OK and will run through December 31, 2007.
The County Clerk’s position will be on this November’s ballot and carry with it a four-year term.
New District 5 Legislator
In other news, members of the Sullivan County Democratic Committee from District 5 also will be forwarding Frank Armstrong’s name to the Sullivan County Legislator to fill out the unexpired term of Rodney Gaebel.
Gaebel was tapped earlier this year by the Sullivan County Republican Committee to replace retiring Sullivan County Republican Elections Commissioner Fran Thalmann at the end of February.
Gaebel’s name will have to forwarded to the Sullivan County Legislator by Sullivan County Republican Chair John LiGreci next month.
If accepted, the Legislator would then act on Armstrong’s recommendation to fill Gaebel’s post until December 31 of this year.
All nine Legislators will be up for election come November.