Tony Cardone seeks the office of Monroe Town Supervisor

By Bob Quinn
MONROE — Monroe Town Councilman Tony Cardone will run for town supervisor with the endorsements of the Town Republican Committee and United Monroe.
“We need someone in the supervisor’s position who can bond the divisions and move toward uniting town,” Cardone said Wednesday, “a person with the ability to develop relations countywide instead of constantly degrading and fighting with our neighboring municipalities.”
Incumbent Supervisor Harley E. Doles III has not decided whether he will seek re-election to a second four-year term. He was elected four years ago on the Democratic line, securing his victory by harnessing nearly all his votes from the Village of Kiryas Joel voting bloc.
Doles has since registered as a Republican.
The new majority at workCardone and fellow Councilman Mike McGinn were elected two years ago with the backing of United Monroe. Cardone was elected acting supervisor at the beginning of his term when Doles was out on medical leave. Cardone and McGinn were joined by Democrat Richard Colon to form a new majority on the town board, one that continues to this day.
Cardone said his campaign would focus on positive issues and not on personal ones. “With Mike and Rick, we are starting to get the town back on track,” Cardone said, noting that town expenses have been cut by about $200,000 in the last two years.
Emily Convers, chairwoman of United Monroe, said Cardone has demonstrated leadership and decision-making since he has taken office. As examples, she cited the re-instatement of public comment at town board meetings, the elimination of town’s public safety staff and the hiring of a reputable planning firm to oversee the updating of the town’s Comprehensive Plan for planning and zoning.
Support for Mary Bingham for town boardMeanwhile, United Monroe has also endorsed the candidacy of Mary Bingham for one of the two seats on the Town Board that are up for election this November. Bingham also is expected to seek the backing of Monroe Democrats.
Convers described Bingham as “highly competent and even-keeled” who will bring a wealth of experience from her time on the town’s Planning Board and Conservation Commission.
Also facing re-election are incumbent Democrats Richard Colon and Gerard McQuade Jr. McQuade indicated recently that he did not plan to seek re-election.
Colon apparently is running for re-election. Convers said United Monroe officials did speak with him. During that discussion, Convers said United Monroe acknowledged Colon’s efforts in working with Cardone and McGinn.
“As a result of that cooperation, we wish him well,” Convers said, “opting not to run a candidate against him.”
North Monroe referendumOne issue that looms for all Monroe voters is whether there will be a referendum on November’s ballot asking residents whether they want to create the new Town of North Monroe that would include the Village of Kiryas Joel plus several hundred acres north of the Quickway.
That decision rests with the Orange County Legislature, which must decide by September in order for the referendum to be part of the November ballot.
Cardone said he would favor the split, provided the numbers — meaning the impact on revenues and taxes — worked out. At the moment, there are no firm, absolute numbers.
Convers said United Monroe is still negotiating with Kiryas Joel officials, specifically over how much land now part of the Town of Monroe would be absorbed by the new municipality.
Kiryas Joel officials say the benefit of a separate town would eliminate the village’s bloc vote in Monroe elections.