Councilwoman Hudak Resigns from Southeast Board
After only serving about a year into her new term, Councilwoman Liz Hudak resigned from the Southeast town board last week, which will result in a special election set for November to fill out her term.
Hudak tendered her resignation last Friday, which was effective immediately.
In her letter to Supervisor Tony Hay, Hudak wrote it was with a “heavy heart” that she was leaving her position with the town. She called representing the residents of Southeast “an honor and one of the finest experiences of my life.”
“Notwithstanding, personal and family health reasons have presented me with no alternative but to retire from public service,” Hudak wrote.
Hudak, an attorney, could not be reached for comment.
Hudak served three terms, dating back to when Michael Rights was supervisor and Southeast town board meetings were must-see events. Hudak, along former councilmen Bob Cullen and Roger Gross, opposed Rights until the embattled figure lost reelection in 2011. One meeting during the Rights era even resulted in a viral video featuring Hudak when Rights told Hudak repeatedly to “dial down the hysteria.” The video has more than 13,000 views on YouTube and t-shirts with the phrase were even printed.
“Do I look hysterical,” Hudak wryly shot back.
Now, both the town Republican and Democratic committees will hustle to secure a candidate to run for the seat this November. The Putnam Examiner was told right before press time Monday night Melinda Montanaro, who ran in 2017, will be nominated by Southeast Democrats to run for the seat. Once the election is over and the Board of Elections certifies the results, that triumphant candidate can take the oath of office by mid-November to finish out Hudak’s term.
When Hudak ran in 2017, she was the top voter getter easily walking into another term. Currently there are two Democrats (Lynne Eckartd and John Lord) and two Republicans (Edwin Alvarez and Hay) on the board until a new member is voted in.
“Although I will be watching from another position and venue, I look forward to watching Southeast continue its dynamic growth into the future,” Hudak wrote.
