Republicans Eye Multiple Seats at Caucus

Candidates for public office in the town of Windham from the Republican Party are (left to right), Thomas Hoyt (incumbent town supervisor), Wayne Van Valin and Ian Peters (incumbent town councilmen), Marilyn Carreras (town justice), Katherine Murray (incumbent tax collector), and Robert “BJ” Murray (highway superintendent).

The Republican Party in the town of Windham held its political caucus for the 2025 elections, on March 28 at the Centre Church. Presiding officer for the gathering was Karl Gonzalez (far left) joined by three chosen members of the Committee to Fill Vacancies (2nd left to right) Marc Farmilette, Albin Beckmann and Donald Murray.

WINDHAM - It isn’t a done deal until it is, but the Republican Party put a stamp of solidarity on the upcoming elections in the town of Windham during their political caucus, last Friday evening.

Six positions are open including town supervisor, town justice, highway superintendent, two seats on the town council and tax collector.

Thomas Hoyt is the current town supervisor, being re-nominated by Tom Jakubowski who said, “first we should thank him for his service, commitment and good works. 

“It’s a job that takes a lot more work than most people realize. I am amazed anyones wants to do the job.”

Having said that, Jakubowski highlighted a few accomplishments in Hoyt’s 6-year tenure, such as creating a modern ambulance headquarters that also houses a senior citizens center.

The town, under Hoyt’s leadership, secured $825,000 in grants to help finance the facility, Jakubowski noted.

Other improvements include working with the Windham Foundation to find a new location for little league fields and getting a $25,000 grant to pave vehicular and playing surfaces at C.D. Lane Park.

The town has shifted the police department to a more professional location within the municipal hall and Hoyt worked with the Department of Environmental Protection to expand the Windham Path.

Marilyn Carreras was nominated for the position of town justice by Annie Jakubowski, seeking a 4-year term after being appointed in December, 2024, to replace Justice Carol Stevens, who retired mid-term.

Listing Carreras’s experiences in federal and New York State criminal law while establishing a successful legal practice in Windham over the past 37 years, Jakubowski said, “Marilyn has a passion for law that is unsurpassed.

“She lights up when talking about the United States Constitution in which she is well versed,” Jakubowski said. “I believe Marilyn to be a fair and just person and well qualified for the position of town justice.”

Robert “BJ” Murray was nominated for highway superintendent by current roads chief Gary Thorington who has announced his retirement after 30-plus years with the department.

“Being a highway superintendent takes hard work, dedication and sacrifice. It also takes the will to never give up or be a quitter,” Thorington said.

“Your highway superintendent needs to have knowledge in road construction and pavement preservation, be fiscally responsible and most of all, be honest.  

“I’ve known this man his whole life. I take pride in nominating Robert “BJ” Murray for town of Windham superintendent of highways,” Thorington said.

BJ Murray, following the caucus, noted he has worked for many years with local KPK Paving, becoming professionally adept with “highways and driveways,” also serving in a supervisory capacity.

A pair of incumbents, Wayne Van Valin and Ian Peters, were re-selected to return to their respective town council seats.

Van Valin has been on the board for 25 years, following in the public service footsteps of his father. He too is the deputy supervisor.

Peters serves as liaison between the town and Greene County Emergency Medical Services, providing vital information and input in a time of significant change within the industry.

Katherine Murray was nominated by her husband, Donald Murray, who said “I’ve known her forty-five years. She never misses a deadline.” She also operates the only female-owned CPA office in Greene County.

Donald Murray, a former town councilman, will also be on the newly-chosen Committee to Fill Vacancies, should a candidate withdraw from the race, joined by Albin Beckmann and Marc Farmilette.

Karl Gonzalez returned in his role as presiding officer for the caucus which was tightly-scripted, emerging from GOP committee meetings with the names of persons making nominations and seconds for candidates.

Anyone could have been nominated from the floor without prior committee blessings. but no other names were offered.

There was speculation a candidate might be nominated for the highway superintendent’s slot, a person who had been nominated in the past and was in the room on caucus night, but no nomination was put forth.

The caucus lasted less than half-an-hour. Gonzalez began by requesting a respectful Moment of Silence, “for those in the Armed Forces and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Gonzalez ended by saying, “thank you doing your American duty,” taking part in the electoral process.