VILLAGE OF RED HOOK – Karen Smythe, a Democrat known for two aggressive campaigns to unseat State Senator Sue Serino, has been appointed Red Hook mayor, filling the vacancy resulting from Ed Blundell’s resignation. Smythe took the position on May 21.
Smythe and her husband Nevil moved to Red Hook six years ago and the newly sworn mayor said that “I love the village – that’s why we moved here.” She wants to get the word out about the beauty of the village.
“I think there is opportunity to expand our communication so that more people know what is going on in the village because there is an awful lot going on. My goal is to help everyone in the Village of Red Hook feel they are part of the village because that is part of what makes Red Hook special,” she said.
The village has been addressing the long-standing need for a municipal sewer system for several years. One of Blundell’s last acts was getting approval for the contract to proceed with the construction of a sewer plant. Smythe is excited to be a part of the endeavor. “With my background, running C.B. Strain Construction Company, I bring the experience and will be helpful in making sure that the project is done – and done right,” said Mayor Smythe.
Smythe will serve as mayor until a special election can be held in March of 2022, with the winner filling out the final year of Blundell’s term. Asked if she would be running in March, she smiled and said, “The sewer project is 18 months and it’s only logical that I would run to finish the project.”
