Two Democrats contend for Orangetown Supervisor

The e-mails came fast and furious late this morning. First, Orangetown Town Council member Michael Maturo who, at 24, markets himself as "New York's youngest elected official" sent off an e-mail blast to Orangetown Democratic Committee Members letting them know that he's testing the water:

I'd like to invite you to three discussions over coffee (I'm buying!):

-- Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm at Yogi's at Prel Plaza in Orangeburg (60 Dutch Hill Road).
-- Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30pm at Didier & Dumas on Main Street in Nyack (163 Main Street).
-- Saturday, March 28 at 11am at Yogi's at Prel Plaza in Orangeburg (60 Dutch Hill Road).

We will explore my candidacy and discuss some of the ideas that I have for the local Democratic Party and Orangetown as a whole. This is as much about you as it is about me. With about a year and a half in office, we have accomplished much, but experience has also revealed to me that we have much more work to do to make Orangetown a better and more affordable place for all of us.

Soon after, Suzanne Barclay, the mild-mannered and measured assistant to current Town Supervisor Thom Kleiner, officially launched her campaign with an e-mail to committee members that read:

For the past seven-plus years as Thom Kleiner’s assistant, I have been involved in the day-to-day operations of Town government. That experience, combined with my background managing programs and people in state government and non-profit organizations, I believe, is an important and essential foundation for serving as supervisor.

It’s important that we have a Democrat in the position of supervisor to ensure a town government that is accessible, responsible and transparent. Over the years I’ve worked for a number of candidates for various levels of government doing everything from going door-to-door to organizing phone banks and fundraisers. Although this will be my first run for public office, I have an idea of the level of effort required and the commitment it takes to actually get elected.

I am ready and excited to make that happen.

The early reviews are in: some of the Orangetown Democratic Committee is extremely excited over one of these two contenders.