POUGHKEEPSIE – It appears that the Poughkeepsie City Common Council will name a new leader next month.
Members met in executive session on Wednesday night to interview the applicants seeking to be appointed to the councilmember-at-large position created by the abrupt resignation of Sarah Salem, just hours after a jury convicted her of a misdemeanor DWI charge.
Pursuant to the city’s charter, the council was required to name a replacement by Thursday, October 20, 2022. Nine applicants were interviewed by the council in 15-minute intervals. A tenth candidate, Curtis Simpson, withdrew his name from consideration.
During the interviews, the applicants were asked questions about parliamentary procedure, how many council meetings they had attended, and the most pressing issues facing the city.
Council Majority Leader Evan Menist told MidHudson News that the council will be holding a caucus on Monday to discuss several issues, including the naming of the new chairperson who will serve until December 31, 2023.
The next council meeting is being held on November 7 and he believes the council will appoint a new member at that meeting.
The interviewed candidates are as follows:
- Jasmaine Clay, an Army veteran and founder of a non-profit organization.
- Paul Diem, a 34-year sales executive and union shop steward.
- Nicholas Kalogris, an office assistant for the New York State Department of Community Corrections & Supervision.
- Sakima McClinton, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, and previously ran against Salem as a Republican for the At-Large position.
- Vincent Pedi, A member of the city’s IDA, an officer with the Dutchess County Democratic Committee, and serves as the Workforce Development Outreach Coach at SUNY Dutchess (Dutchess Community College).
- Chris Petsas, an eight-year veteran of the Common Council, including serving as the chairperson. Petsas was precluded from seeking re-election last year due to term limits.
- Carlos Russell, the owner of the Queen City Lounge on Main Street in the city.
- William Smith, a retired corrections officer with the New York State Department of Corrections & Community Supervision.
- Da’Ron Wilson, the current Executive Director of School Engagement for the Poughkeepsie City School District and previous teacher in the district.
