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The race for a seat on the Catskill Village Board of Trustees remains undecided following Wednesday's (March 18) election, with unofficial results showing Jamie Hyer-Mitchell leading Joseph Kozloski by 20 votes. The outcome will not be final until absentee ballots are counted and the Greene County Board of Elections officially certifies the results, as noted by the board and reported by Porcupine Soup News.
Hyer-Mitchell, running on the Republican and Village Visions lines, received 239 votes, while Democratic incumbent and Board Vice President Kozloski secured 209 votes. Both candidates campaigned door to door and participated in community events, emphasizing their commitment to the village. According to The Daily Gazette, Hyer-Mitchell highlighted her priorities of fiscal responsibility and improving housing affordability if elected. She also expressed her interest in exploring new options for affordable housing and plans to increase support for people with disabilities and those with Alzheimer's disease.
Kozloski, who has served on the board since 2016 and previously from 2005 to 2013, focused his campaign on completing ongoing infrastructure projects, such as Main Street water and sewer upgrades, new sidewalks, and lighting. He also cited his role in securing a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant and a total of $30 million in state and federal funding for Catskill improvements.
Both candidates have strong local ties. Hyer-Mitchell, a Catskill native, previously served a term before stepping down for family reasons and now operates animal welfare organizations in the area. Kozloski, also a lifelong resident, has a background in local industry and government and has been active in village policy and grant acquisition, as reported by The Daily Gazette.
The final result hinges on the remaining absentee ballots, with certification expected soon. Until then, the race remains too close to call, leaving the future makeup of the Catskill Village Board of Trustees uncertain.