By Dan Hust
SULLIVAN COUNTY — So where are the outgoing county legislators headed?
We took a moment to ask all six at one of their last meetings, and here’s what we found:
• District 1’s David Sager plans to spend more time with his family and continue his Jeffersonville chiropractic office.
“I did all I could,” he mused of his four years as legislator. “I fought as many good fights as I thought possible.”
Though drained by the experience, his hope has been renewed by his successors.
“I’m inspired by the new Legislature,” he acknowledged – so much so that he wishes he had chosen to run for re-election.
Instead, he’s going to aim for one of the Legislature’s just-introduced Gadfly Awards, planning to bring his vigorous participation to future meetings, this time as a county citizen.
• District 3’s Elwin “Woody” Wood smiled when asked what he’d be doing come January.
“I’ll be around,” he said.
He plans to remain a Sullivan County businessman, operating a store and land development business in Roscoe, along with the Sonoma Falls tourist attraction near Livingston Manor.
“It’s been a great six years,” he recalled of his time on the Legislature.
• District 5’s Frank Armstrong, a former police officer, will remain “on guard” in the new year, serving with a private security firm after completing recent work at West Point.
“Thanks for the privilege of serving,” he said to the voters who gave him four years in office.
• District 6’s Jodi Goodman won’t be giving up her Director of Community Services post at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, but beyond that, she’s intentionally vague.
“Watch and see” was all she’d say.
Goodman leaves her 12 years as a legislator with a word of advice:
“People need to believe in Sullivan County,” she said, “and help those make it come true.”
• District 7’s Leni Binder is the last of the original legislators (elected in 1995) to move on.
“I have some offers,” she said of her future. “I’m not quite sure what I want to do. I’ve not made final plans yet.”
She’s leaving with a sense of relief and hope.
“Government goes on,” Binder said. “Government must go on. It is bigger than any of us.”
What about that famous license plate on her car: “LEGSLADY”?
“I think I’ll change it to ‘MOVED ON’,” she said.
• District 8’s Ron Hiatt is eager for the next phase of his life – though despite thoughts of retirement, he’ll probably still practice law.
“Who the heck knows?” he laughed. “I would like to take a sabbatical, though.”
First elected in 2003, the retired Air Force colonel has already promised to be out the Government Center’s door as soon as Dec. 31 arrives.
“Just like in the service, I’m glad I was in,” he quipped, “and I’m glad I got out!”