Fleming, left, and Odell exchange pleasantries on Saturday
KENT – Kent Supervisor Maureen Fleming is challenging County Executive MaryEllen Odell for the top spot in county government this fall.
Fleming, a Democrat, has twice been endorsed by the Conservative Party. “I pride myself on being a pragmatic fiscal conservative and a strong collaborative leader. As supervisor, I am supported by Democrats as well as Republicans and people of every political stripe. When we work hard together, we get the job done.”
Fleming said if elected she hopes to “bring back cooperation and respect to county government. I am always mindful that government belongs to its citizens, not me – down to every pencil and piece of paper at town hall. Money government spends is citizens’ money. I am accountable, responsible, responsive and I deliver.”
The executive hopeful is an attorney with government experience in the New York City Departments of Health, Sanitation and Corrections.
Fleming credited her leadership on the Kent Town Board with resulting in the lack of a town tax increase since taking office in 2014. “While keeping taxes flat my administration has improved services, added over $1 million to the town’s general fund and reduced Kent’s debt service by 38 percent. I intend to bring the same hard working professionalism to the office of Putnam County executive.”
County Democratic Chairman James Borkowski said he was “thrilled” that Fleming was stepping forward. “After two terms of our current executive, it’s time for a change. Maureen will restore accountable leadership to the roles of county government. She is clear, intelligent and fiscally responsible.”
Odell and Fleming exchanged pleasantries Saturday at a fundraising breakfast in Carmel after the county executive observed her challenger at the gathering and greeted her.
Following the get-together, Odell issued a statement welcoming Fleming as her opponent. “I look forward to a substantive campaign on the issues and am most proud of our record. We have the lowest tax bill of any county in the state and we have kept taxes and spending low even as we have reduced our long-term debt by 15 percent while eliminating our short-term debt.”
Odell said the county had made “key investments in revitalizing the Putnam Golf Course and Tilly Foster Farm and Educational Institute while laying the groundwork for both the Mahopac-Route 6 and Brewster-Danbury sewer projects that will bring renewed economic vitality along the Route 6 corridor.”
Odell noted that “more work must be done. Putnam County is heading in the right direction and I am more excited than ever for our future.”
