Oliverio ‘Definitely’ Running for Putnam Valley Supervisor
Fresh off a failed run for county executive and set to leave the Putnam County Legislature at the end of the year, Sam Oliverio’s political life isn’t up just yet.
In an interview, Oliverio, a Democrat, confirmed he is “definitely” running for the office of Putnam Valley Supervisor in 2015 with current officeholder Bob Tendy, a Republican, pursuing a run for the District Attorney’s Office in the same election cycle. Oliverio, a lifelong Putnam Valley resident, met with the town’s Democratic committee Sunday and received their unified support.
“I would have liked to been county executive,” Oliverio said, referencing his recent loss to Republican incumbent MaryEllen Odell. “But I’m not a quitter.”
Oliverio stated he feels he’s “very well qualified” for the position and knows the town better than most residents in it. By having connections with state and federal officials, Oliverio asserted Putnam Valley would reap the benefits of his experience.
Reenergizing a lagging business district, supporting the library and parks and recreation programs, and being cognizant of residents’ health and safety are all initiatives Oliverio wants to pursue.
“I know that Putnam Valley can go places,” he said.
While he calls Tendy a friend, Oliverio said he disagrees with the current supervisor’s push for incentive zoning and the delay in redoing the town’s comprehensive plan.
Originally, Oliverio backed off on stating if he would run for the position because he wasn’t sure if Tendy was actually going to run for DA. When reached for comment, Tendy completely confirmed he is in fact going to run for the seat currently held by embattled DA Adam Levy.
If Tendy wasn’t running for DA, Oliverio said he would have had to “think long and hard” about running for supervisor. But the decision was made clear when Tendy told him personally he wasn’t interested in reelection for that seat.
Oliverio has lived in Putnam Valley for his entire life. He has worked for the Putnam Valley school system since 1982 and is now an assistant principal. He was a town councilman for five years in the 1990s. The past 18 years, Oliverio has served on the legislature, which will come to an end when his current term expires on Dec. 31.
For this run, Oliverio is on the Democratic ticket and is seeking the Conservative and Independence lines going forward.
“I want to take this opportunity to let people know I’m not disappearing,” Oliverio said. “Simply because I lost the last election doesn’t mean I’m out of governmental work.”
