By Dan Hust
SULLIVAN COUNTY — Voters in five townships across Sullivan County will have a chance to pick their party’s preferred candidate in primaries on September 13. (Our printed edition, in error, states September 18.)
The list was recently finalized by the county Board of Elections.
Bethel Justice
Incumbent Bethel Town Justice Howard Block will face off against two different candidates across five separate party lines.
In essence, there will be five primaries for this one position, specially allowed in New York only in judge races.
Block is seeking to be listed on the Democratic, Republican, Conservative, Working Families and Independence ballot lines.
However, former Town Justice Cindy Barber is aiming for the Democratic and Working Families lines, while Susan Harte hopes to garner the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines.
Bethel Board
Incumbent Bethel Councilman Bob Blais and Councilwoman Vicky Vassmer-Simpson face a challenge for the Democratic ballot line from former Highway Superintendent Bernie Cohen.
Democratic voters will be able to choose two of the three candidates.
Lumberland High. Supt.
With Lumberland’s highway superintendency vacant, Republicans will have to choose either James Akt or Don Hunt Jr. as their candidate.
Town of Thompson
In a race already roiling the Town of Thompson Democratic Committee, incumbent District Six committeepeople Honora Wohl and Ron Hiatt are being challenged by TC Hutchins and Tom Mack.
Voters will choose two.
In District Ten of that same committee, incumbent Alvin Dumas is running for one of two seats, as are Gordon Jenkins and Rochelle Massey. (Incumbent Victor Marinello did not gain enough signatures to participate in the primary.)
Voters will choose two.
Thompson Justice
Incumbent Thompson Town Justice Perry Meltzer is facing a challenge on the Democratic line from John Kelly.
Town of Tusten
Incumbent Tusten Democratic committeepeople Michael Eurey and Patrick Harrison are competing alongside Norman Meyer and Kevin Freda for the two open seats.