TOWN OF FISHKILL – Fishkill Town Board Member Doug McHoul resigned from the town board on Friday, December 13. He was elected to the Dutchess County Legislature in November and will be seated in his new position in January.
McHoul was first elected to the town board in 2013 and the Republican was re-elected in 2017.
In October of 2018, his fellow town board member Tom Adams passed away leaving a vacancy on the board. In January of this year, McHoul and his fellow Republicans Ori Brachfeld and Supervisor Bob LaColla appointed Ray Raiche to fill the vacant seat. Raiche ran unsuccessfully in November to keep the position. The November race had four candidates vying for two seats. Raiche was the third-highest vote-getter and McHoul is now recommending Raiche be appointed for McHoul’s vacant seat.
In McHoul’s resignation letter, he thanked outgoing Town Supervisor LaColla for his fiscal restoration of the town, town employees for their dedication, and thanked the residents as a whole. “The role of councilman can lead to some difficult decisions, and I am well aware that many of my votes have not been received with 100 percent satisfaction,” said McHoul as he thanked the voters for their continued support.
With regard to the vacancy, McHoul said “Mr. Raiche is exceedingly qualified to serve in this position and is undoubtedly the most qualified candidate to ensure what’s best for our Town.” Councilman Ori Brachfeld is sponsoring the resolution to appoint Raiche. Brachfeld pointed out that Raiche is an attorney who has provided expertise to a number of recent issues faced by the board. “Ray Raiche brings a skillset to the board that is beneficial to the town and saves tax dollars. Having an attorney on the board reduces the workload of the town attorney and thus saves our taxpayers,” said Brachfeld.
Incoming Democratic town supervisor Ozzie Albra is not taking a position on the appointment of Raiche but he did take issue with the standard being used. “The argument that the Republicans are using is hypocritical,” said Albra. “In 2017, Paul Gilbert was the third-highest vote-getter and the Republicans didn’t appoint him to the vacancy created by the death of Tom Adams. Now they want to appoint Mr. Raiche based on the fact that he finished third in the most recent election.”
Incoming town board member Louise Daniele, elected in November, does not agree with the appointment process. “I think the 2020 incoming board should pick who will fill the vacant seat,” said Daniele.
The town board is slated to consider the appointment at its December 18 board meeting.
