All nine legislators will be up for re-election in November. As candidates announce their decision to run in their respective districts, the Democrat will be running briefs about them. More in-depth articles will take place as we get closer to Election Day.

FALLSBURG –– Former Fallsburg Town Justice Amanda Ward is running to represent the people in the 8th District on the County Legislature.

Ward, a lifelong Sullivan County/Fallsburg resident and Republican, comes from a family deeply rooted in public service.

Her late father, Roland Ward (“The Gator”), dedicated over 40 years of service in local law enforcement as a police officer for the Town of Fallsburg and retired as a Lieutenant with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.

Her mother Sonia was a Family Homecare Provider for over 30 years, a Special Education Teacher for five years at the Fallsburg Central School District and served on the school board for many years. Ward said she proudly continues to follow in her parents’ footsteps of community service with her own family (daughter Gabriela).

Ward holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Hofstra University School of Law and worked for over a decade as an adjunct professor at SUNY Sullivan, where she taught juvenile justice, constitutional law, business law, and healthcare law and ethics. 

In addition, she is the Chief of People Operations/Educational Sustainability at the Center for Discovery (TCFD), where she’s worked for 16 years. She currently oversees human resources and training. 

As a member of TCFD executive team, she “contributes directly to long and short-term, strategic objectives of the organization while maximizing organization effectiveness.”

As Fallsburg Town Justice for five years, she supervised court staff, issued warrants for arrest, held arraignments, presided over hearings, trials and both civil and criminal proceedings, instructed juries, rendered court decisions, imposed sentences and fines.

She has also served on the Board of Directors of The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan County, was a trustee of the Fallsburg Library, and served as president of the Sullivan County N.A.A.C.P. She’s also a former member of the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson Board of Directors.

Ward has already received the endorsement of the Sullivan County Republican Committee and will face off against Democrat Justin Picciotti (who has been endorsed by the Sullivan County Democrat Committee) in November.

“I have a deep love for our community and a strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of our community members,” said Ward. “I believe that by working together, we have the ability to create a better future for ourselves and for those who come after us. We can create a county that is safe, prosperous, sustainable and welcoming to all.

“If elected, I am committed to serving our community with dedication and integrity,” she continued. “I believe that my HR background, leadership roles and experience working as a public servant has prepared me to be an effective leader and advocate for our county.”