Roddey, Fornario to challenge Calhoun for Assembly seat

GOSHEN — The field of Republican candidates interested running for a seat in the New York State Assembly's new 99th District includes two challengers to longtime incumbent Nancy Calhoun.

Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey and Blooming Grove Supervisor Frank Fornario announced Wednesday that they are seeking the endorsement of their party. The new district includes Blooming Grove, Chester, Cornwall, Goshen, Hamptonburgh, Highlands, New Windsor, Woodbury, and the Town of Stony Point in Rockland County.

At 26, Roddey is not youngest candidate. Woodbury Councilman James Skoufis, who received the Democratic endorsement this week, is 24.

Roddey sees his age as an asset, not a liability.

“People in this district are ready for a new voice, and they see someone who is qualified and experienced in me,” he said.

In his first year as mayor, Roddey said he's overcome significant challenges. Among those, he counts implementing an improvement plan for Goshen's beleaguered infrastructure, removal of the old landfill dirt pile that had been stored on Route 17M, and signing a new work agreement with the Town of Goshen.

Prior to becoming mayor, he was a village trustee for two years and a substitute teacher for four. He has a master's degree in education.

“My experience exceeds my age,” said Roddey.

Roddey sees lowering property taxes in the state, improving education, and making New York more business-friendly as his top priorities.

Roddey has a preliminary website, www.kyleroddey.com, and plans to use social media as a tool in his campaign. He also plans on holding meet and greets and going door-to-door to speak with voters in the district.

Fornario open to all parties Fornario and Calhoun are both former Blooming Grove town supervisors and council members who have sparred publicly over Fornair's support of Roxanne Donnery, a Democrat, in her run against Edward Diana for county executive. But Fornario says his good working partnerships with officials of all party affiliations led to a number of legislative accomplishments.

He has been an elected official for 19 years: as Blooming Grove councilman and supervisor and as Orange County Legislator. He lists among his accomplishments his work fighting the Kiryas Joel pipeline project, sponsoring benefits for veterans, and supporting services that help senior citizens remain in their homes.

An educator for 36 years, Fornario has continued his volunteer work in promoting autism awareness and mental health issues and received the 2010 Silver Bell Award from the Mental Health Association of Orange County for his efforts. He says he is particularly passionate about using the State Assembly role to advocate for improvements in schools while supporting alternative funding methods for public education. Much needed tax reform and mandate relief for municipalities and schools will remain his top priority, he said.

He says he is acutely aware of how "taxpayers have lost faith in state government" and would seek the creation of an independent ethics commission to restore their confidence. He promises to continue working in a non-partisan manner to tackle today's issues and tomorrow's challenges.

Fornario and his wife, Pat, have been married for 37 years, were foster parents for nearly ten years, and have five adult daughters.

He was involved in a range of family-centered activities, including being a 4-H group leader, town recreation commissioner, religious education instructor, and soccer coach.

Calhoun in Assembly since 1990 Calhoun now represents the 96th Assembly District, soon to be redrawn, which includes parts of Orange and Rockland Counties.

Prior to her election to the Assembly in 1990, she was Blooming Grove councilwoman and supervisor as well as Washingtonville Central School District tax collector. She has served as president of the Orange County Supervisors and Mayors Association, the Orange County Community Development Advisory Board member, the Orange Municipal Planning Federation director, Arden Hill Hospital Auxiliary bookkeeper, honorary member of the Monell Engine Co. and 1988 Citizen of the Year, Blooming Grove Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Blooming Grove and Orange County Chambers of Commerce. She has been honored as a 2003 Woman of Achievement by the Sarah Wells Girl Scout Council and the YWCA of Orange County and served as the Assembly Minority representative to the 2006 Budget Conference Committee for Mental Hygiene.

She is an executive committee member of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, secretary to the American-Irish Legislators Society, Assembly Minority Leader Tedisco’s representative on the Hudson River Valley Greenway Council and an executive member of the National Coalition of Insurance Legislators. She serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Standing Committees and has previously held leadership positions as the Assistant Minority Whip and Secretary to the Minority Conference.

She is the wife of William Mulherin and together they have three sons, three daughters and 10 grandchildren.