Mid Hudson Times Nov. 08 2017

T IMES MID Election roundup The unofficial results of the 2017 General Election rolled in late Tuesday night, bringing a few surprises. CITY OF NEWBURGH Democrat Jonathan Jacobson won the Ward 3 Newburgh City Council seat with 376 votes compared to his opponents Republican John Guidice and Newburgh United candidate Anthony Grice, who drew 213 and 247 votes, respectively. Jacobson will replace Regina Angelo, who is stepping down at the end of the year. In Ward 4, Patty Sofokles won with 364 votes, unseating Councilwoman Cindy Holmes, who garnered 185 votes. A total of 112 people cast their votes for Republican Christine Bello. Democratic Councilwoman Karen Mejia ran unopposed in Ward 1 and Democrat Ramona Monteverde ran unopposed in Ward 2. ORANGE COUNTY Democratic candidate Anthony Kevindaryan Lujan amassed 894 votes to become the next county legislator representing Balmville and the City of Newburgh’s East End in District 4. His opponent, Independence candidate Anthony Tarsio, drew 432 votes. TOWN OF NEWBURGH Several Town of Newburgh officials ran unopposed this year. Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio, town Councilwoman Betty Greene and Councilman Paul Ruggiero, all Republicans, were reelected to their positions. Also running unopposed were town Receiver of Taxes Deborah Smith and town Clerk Andrew Zarutskie, both Republicans. TOWN OF NEW WINDSOR Town Supervisor George Green and town Councilman Andrew Regenbaum ran unopposed as Republicans. Steven Moreau, also a Republican, was endorsed replace Alice Biasotti, who stepped down after serving four terms on the New Windsor Town Board. HUDSON Vol. 29, No 45 3 NOVEMBER 8 - 14, 2017 3 ONE DOLLAR Section IX cross country Page 39 SERVING NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR Robber gets the broom Deli clerks sweep robber clean out of store By SHANTAL RILEY [email protected] When a robber showed up wielding a knife and demanding money at the Dairy Plus Express 2 store on Meadow Avenue one recent weeknight, he was given a dose of old-school justice. “He hit him with a broom,” said Joseph Minuta, who happened to be at the deli when the robber walked into the store on Thursday, Nov. 2. It was about 6:50 p.m. when Minuta sat inside the store, reading a newspaper while he waited for his car to be fixed at Mavis Discount Tire. “A guy came in, fully covered, with gloves, mask and a hat,” Minuta recalled. “He had steak knife.” Store owner Khalid Mahmood was standing at the cash register. “I want all your money,” the robber told him, explained Mahmood’s wife, who did not want to provide her name on Monday. “He said, ‘No, you’re not getting my money. Get the (expletive) out of here.” It was at that instant when Mahmood’s friend and coworker sprung into action, hitting the would-be thief with a large broom he happened to be pushing nearby. Store footage shows the robber then bolted for the door while being chased by the 64-year-old, who threw the broom at him as he ran away. Mahmood grabbed another broom and chased the bandit on foot, pursuing him as far as Route 300. Minuta called the police. A customer followed the robber in her car as he crossed Route 300 to head onto Meadow Hill Road. She was able to provide police with details on his whereabouts. The man was apprehended about 10 minutes later by Town of Newburgh Joseph Minuta (center) stands with Dairy Plus Express 2 owner Khalid Mahmood (right) and his friend Sunny (left) following an attempted robbery on Nov. 2. Police. “An officer came across him walking in the area several blocks away,” said Town of Newburgh Police Chief Bruce Campbell. “He was able to apprehend him.” WWW.MIDHUDSONTIMES.COM Minuta was particularly impressed with the Town of Newburgh Police Department’s response. Within minutes five cop cars arrived at the scene, Continued on page 4