TOWN OF WAPPINGER – A doorbell camera video being circulated appears to show Town of Wappinger Highway Superintendent Vincent Bettina engaging in unsavory campaign activity.
In the video being shared on social media, two different actions were recorded on the same day. In the first recording, a campaign volunteer of Mike Sheehan, Bettina’s opponent, is seen on the front porch of a house to deliver Sheehan campaign literature. The volunteer knocks on the door and waits for an answer. When no person answers the door, the worker places the literature in the storm door and leaves.
In the second recording, which also occurred on October 8, Bettina is recorded when he arrives at the same house. Bettina is seen removing his opponent’s literature from the door prior to ringing the doorbell. Bettina rang the bell and, after no answer, he is seen leaving the property, still in possession of Sheehan’s literature.
Sheehan successfully challenged Bettina for the Republican ballot line in a primary. After losing, Bettina secured the Independence party line in an attempt to keep his position in the town. A third candidate is running on the Democratic line.
Sheehan is also an employee in the highway department currently run by Bettina. When asked about the actions of Bettina caught on video, Sheehan was disturbed. “I am very disappointed in my opponent’s actions,” said Sheehan. “I have been running a positive campaign and I expected him to do the same. Obviously he is not doing the same.”
Repeated calls and texts to Bettina seeking comment were not returned.
The homeowner who shared the video wishes to remain anonymous but indicated that they were angry at Bettina for his actions.
