MONTICELLO — After many months of discussion, the Sullivan County Legislature voted down a resolution to put forth a staggered terms referendum on the November ballot by a 3 yes to 6 no vote on Thursday, September 5. 

District 1 Legislator Matt McPhillips, District 2 Legislator and Chair Nadia Rajsz and District 3 Legislator Brian McPhillips were the only ones to vote in favor of this resolution. 

The legislators who voted against the staggered terms noted that there were too many unanswered questions to move it forward. One of the biggest concerns was that there is currently a New York State law that is being enacted in January for elections to be held in even years only.

“The Charter Commission, when they met, had no idea that there was going to be a law enacted that forced us into even-year elections,” said District 9 Legislator Terry Blosser-Bernardo, “therefore they could not foresee the unintended consequences of making this recommendation to us. 

“And I think that having the experience and looking at unintended consequences is so important,” Bernardo concluded before voting no.

District 7 Legislator Joe Perrello said that he feels that the people of Sullivan County should have a choice when it comes to deciding on staggered terms. 

“But the way we discussed it today, which is very unclear,” Perrello said, “we don’t know where the law is going and it’s really giving out false information.”

District 8 Legislator Amanda Ward also noted that it is important to leave the vote up to the public but said that there is more clarification needed. 

“There’s no harm in waiting a year and making sure that everyone does understand,” Ward said. “And that the public, when making a decision, has all the information to make an informed decision.”

District 4 Legislator and Chair of the Government Services Committee Nicholas Salomone said, “Waiting a year or two is not going to kill us. We don’t run for three more years.”

Chair Rajsz noted that they will revisit the consideration for staggered terms next year and said that the proposed terms of four legislators for three years and five legislators for five years was only due to the even-year law. Had that law not been on the table, Rajsz said the terms may have been different.