Lillian Howard, who ran for mayor in 2007, says her son will be the candidate this time.
By Nancy Peckenham
Just days after throwing her hat into the ring in the race for Mayor of the city of Newburgh, former candidate Lillian Howard says that she will not be running this year but that her son, Omari Shakur, will.
Howard said that 55-year-old Shakur is a community activist with deep roots in the community and noted that it will be easy for him to get the signatures he needs on a petition for the Democratic ticket.
Last week, the city of Newburgh Democratic committee named Judy Kennedy as its mayoral candidate. Members also voted Ramona Monteverde and Cedric Brown as their choice for two open city council seat.
Gay Lee, far right, at a city hall protest recently.
On Monday, Gay Lee told Newburgh Circle that she will be on the ballot for city council in November with the backing of the Working Family Party (WFP). Monteverde also has the endorsement of WFP.
Meanwhile, Michael Gabor reports that he already has enough signatures to challenge the Democratic committee’s pick for city council. Once all candidates file petitions in mid-July, it is likely to force a Democratic primary in September.
The nominations are less contested on the Republican side, with city councilwoman Christine Bello the candidate for mayor and John F. Penney and John N. Giudice the Republican picks for city council.
Tax March on Hold
On a separate note, mayoral candidate Judy Kennedy says she is putting on hold a march planned for Monday, June 20 to protest the city’s plan to raise property taxes 28 percent in 2012. Kennedy said on Wednesday that she still plans to have a press conference outside city hall where she will focus on planning for the budget and tax issues. Kennedy changed plans for the march after city leaders announced earlier this week that they intend to keep the city’s tax increase to two percent in next year’s budget. “I am putting the march on hold with the express understanding that they will keep their word about a two-percent tax increase,” Kennedy said.
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