MONTICELLO, NY — Nadia Rajsz and Joseph Perrello will lead the new Sullivan County Legislature in the new year.

Rajsz, a Democrat from District 2, which includes Forestburgh and Thompson, has served on the legislature since 2017. She is the first woman to become chair in 20 years. 

“Thank you very much for having faith in me to do this job,” she said, according to a statement released by the county. “I’m hoping I can bring a new perspective and a breath of fresh air into our legislative body.”

Perrello, who was elected vice chair, is a Republican who represents District 7, which includes Fallsburg. “We have a job to do,” he said, “and we need to work together as a body to move Sullivan County forward.”

Five newcomers

All nine legislature seats were up for election last November. At the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello on Tuesday, judges Meagan Galligan and Jim Farrell swore in the full legislature, including five newcomers. 

Amanda Ward is making history as the legislature’s first Black woman. She is a Republican representing District 8, which includes Loch Sheldrake and Fallsburg. “We have a lot ahead of us, but I think we can tackle it,” she said. “I’m excited that we’ve got such great diversity here, and it’s incredible to be a part of that history. I also am pleased to work alongside the county’s employees and recognize the tireless way they serve the people of Sullivan.”

Democrat Matt McPhillips defeated incumbent Republican Robert Doherty, who had served as the legislature’s chair. McPhillips serves District 1, which includes Highland and Bethel. “I look forward to being a problem-solver and working with what I think is a really great group of people here,” he said.

Terry Blosser-Bernardo, a Republican who represents District 9, which includes Mamakating, Thompson, and the Village of Monticello, said, “I look forward to getting to know all of the employees.” She has begun profiling county leaders on her blog at www.legislatorbernardo.com. “I’m willing to work with you, learn what you do and how I can help better serve you,” she said.

Democrat Catherine Scott serves District 5, which Cochecton, Tusten, Delaware, and Callicoon, said, “I want to congratulate my fellow legislators. I look forward to working with all of you. There’s plenty of good work that needs to be done, and that’s what I’m here to do: good work,” affirmed Scott. “I also want to remind the public that part of this social contract is that you keep showing up and you hold us accountable. We are here to serve you.”

Brian McPhillips, a Democrat, represents Liberty, Neversink, and Rockland as representative for District 1. “Politics are done once the elections are over,” he said. “We represent the people of this county, and we represent them equally. That is the only way this should work. I look forward to Sullivan County being recognized for the greatness this county holds.”

Veterans return

Among the legislators re-elected to office is Nicholas Salomone Jr., representing Mamakating as part of District 4, which includes Liberty. “I’m looking forward to working in a bipartisan way, as we have a lot of issues ahead of us,” he said. “Public safety and roads will continue to be my two biggest priorities.”

Luis Alvarez, a Democrat, pointed to his long local experience. “This is going to be my 41st year working for Sullivan County,” he said. He’d long traveled the county as a sheriff’s deputy and is the first Hispanic man to serve on the legislature. He represents District 6 “This is my main purpose: to serve the people,” Alvarez said. “I’ve been told to step back and take it easy. That is never going to happen — this is what I plan to do until the day I die.”

The county says committee rosters will be announced but the meetings themselves are already scheduled for Thursday, January 11, and Thursday, January 18, followed by the executive committee and full monthly legislature meeting on Thursday, January 25. All the meetings start at 9 a.m. in the Hearing Room of the Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello. They are open to the public and will be live-streamed. Meeting dates for the rest of the year will be announced in the coming weeks.