FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Contact: exec [at] greeneyoungdems.org

Greene County, NY – Five candidates have received the endorsement of the Greene County Young Democrats at their August meeting. As voters prepare to elect local leadership in the shadow of Presidential, Congressional, and Senatorial contests, the Greene County Young Democrats are excited to support these strong candidates.

These endorsed candidates are running in the Town of Greenville, where there is a notable groundswell of support for this team of new, creative, and intelligent leaders. More information about this inspiring group is at http://www.movinggreenvilleforward.com. They include:

Peter O’Hara – Greenville Town Supervisor
Wayne Nelsen – Greenville Town Council
Kathleen Harm- Greenville Town Council
Terry Williams – Greenville Highway Superintendent
Jim Mulligan – County Legislator

“We are pleased to extend our support to these individuals, all of whom have demonstrated a commitment to making government work for the residents of Greene County-at-large, and not any one specific faction or interest.”

About the candidates

Peter O’Hara – Greenville Town Supervisor Peter’s family has resided in the Town of Greenville since 1822 and he has fond memories of working in the local resorts for many summers. Since then, Peter has accumulated over 40 years of management and administrative experience in areas such as: human resource management, administration, planning and development of major construction projects, including a campus and technology center and management of an annual budget exceeding 15 million dollars.

Peter is actively involved in our community as a lector at St John the Baptist Church, and became Chairman of the Planning Board in 2006, having only joined the board two years prior. He is particularly proud of the work accomplished through the Comprehensive Planning Committee, which he has chaired since its inception.

The tourism industry has changed and the new Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code will allow for the future development of that industry and the new “Green” and technology companies that could flourish in Greenville. He is committed to executing the Vision of the Comprehensive Plan by improving those good qualities that residents love and promoting smart growth through jobs for all residents and especially our youth.

Wayne Nelsen – Greenville Town Council A resident of Freehold for over 35 years, Wayne’s ties to our town run strong. Working at his family’s resort, he raised two daughters who still live in Greenville. Wayne has also run many successful businesses here in our Town, starting in 1996 with the Freehold Country Store and currently with the Freehold Country Pub.

Wayne’s record of service to his community is even more diverse. In 2000, Wayne co-founded the Freehold Beautification Committee, and as Project Director of this endeavor, was able to acquire the funding and talent to see that plan come to fruition. He is now hoping to repeat his success as a committee member of the Greenville Beautification Project.

Wayne also served on Greenville’s Planning Board, was a board member of Community Partners, is currently a board member of Greene County Emergency Medical Services, and is the Vice President of the Freehold Cemetery Association.

Wayne is currently a Town Councilman in Greenville and is seeking re-election to his second term.

Kathleen Harm- Greenville Town Council Since 2008, Kathleen has served on the Town of Greenville Planning Board, Zoning Committee and Town Comprehensive Master Plan Committee. She lives with her husband Art in Freehold and she has 3 grown daughters.

In her professional life, she has worked in both the environmental non-profit arena and currently as a consultant in the utility sector for the past 9 years. She specializes in community outreach and program management for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. She holds a BS degree in Environmental Studies and is a Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP).

As a competitive tri-athlete and avid snow skier, Kathleen appreciates Greenville’s natural beauty, resources and all the area has to offer. Mrs. Harm is a past recipient of the American Lung Association “Excellence in Advocacy Award” and was the Sierra Club Long Island Group 2002 “Environmentalist of the Year”.

Her professional experience and town service qualify her as a candidate who will work diligently to implement the goals and vision of Greenville’s Master Plan.

Terry Williams – Greenville Highway Superintendent Terry is a life-long resident of our Town. A Greenville High School graduate, Terry has worked at Story’s Nursery, Rainbow Lodge & Country Club, GNH Lumber, and the Town of Greenville itself, as an equipment operator and truck driver for seven years during Walt Cameron’s tenure as Highway Superintendent.

Terry has also owned and operated a successful excavation and trucking business for over 35 years in our area. His reason for running is simple: “I know roads. I know plowing. I know machines and I know men. I think I can do a better job, especially in saving the townspeople their hard earned tax dollars. We can help this town grow at a pace we want and make Greenville the kind of town we are proud to live in.”

Jim Mulligan – County Legislator (Greenville) Jim has lived in Greenville for close to 40 years, raised his family here in the country, owns his own local business, and has made it a point to participate in the process of government here in Greenville for many years. Jim feels that this process of government is an ongoing, day-to-day job, and that we have to care every day, and not just on Election Day. This is why Jim is running to be Greenville’s County Legislator, to give our town the kind of vigorous representation in the County Legislature that we have lacked in the past.

As Acting Supervisor in Greenville during 2006 and 2007, Jim helped to transition and establish the Town’s first sewer treatment plant, helped establish the Comprehensive Planning Committee, and was responsible putting in motion the steps which began the transitioning of the Planning Board over to a more orderly and workable process.

Before that, Jim was instrumental in resurrecting Greene County Community Action to fiscal and service delivery excellence, established the Greene County Mediation Project and helped to establish the Greene County Battered Women Project.

Jim has been active in such local organizations as All Arts Matter and Community Partners, and also recently served on the Town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee.

Established in April of 2009, the mission of the Greene County Young Democrats (GCYD) is to pursue the ideas of liberty, justice, and freedom for all, regardless of race, religion, or sex, through support of the Democratic Party and its ideas, ideals, and candidates. The Greene County Young Democrats is chartered through the New York State Young Democrats, and is affiliated with the Young Democrats of America.

GCYD anticipates announcing additional endorsements in the coming months. The election for the Greene County Legislature, as well as for various positions throughout the towns of Greene County is November 3, 2009.

The next GCYD member meeting is Wednesday September 9, at 7pm, to be held at the Dockside Grill located at 10 Brick Roe Ext. in Athens. All members and those interested in becoming members are welcome to attend. For more information, please visit http://www.greeneyoungdems.org.