Village elections: Orthodox Jewish voters spearhead contested wins in Airmont and Pomona

Steve Lieberman, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·2 min read

Rockland's two major contested village elections resulted in the incumbent-led teams winning decisively, spurred by Orthodox Jewish voters in each community.

Voters in Airmont and Pomona chose between two slates of candidates on Tuesday. There were uncontested ballot races in Chestnut Ridge and Montebello.

The results, according to each village's clerk:

  • Airmont: Mayor Nathan Bubel, Trustee Morris Friedman, and Lawrence Toole each received 1,322 votes. Their opponents, Ralph Bracco for mayor, and trustee candidates Marcal Matthews, and Joseph Sferrazza, each received 655 votes. Bracco is a former mayor and trustee. Bubel, Friedman, and Toole, the county Legislature clerk, won four-year terms.

  • Pomona: Ilan Fuchs, a trustee, becomes mayor with 471 votes to 281 for first-time candidate Stephen Katz. Fuchs' running mates, Joel Grunwald, and Raanan Zidile, received 468 and 466 votes, respectively. Grunwald defeated Chris Pulakos, who had 283 votes, and Zidile out-scored Nicholas Wilson, who tallied 280. Fuchs succeeds Ian Banks, a longtime elected official who declined to seek another term as mayor.

  • Chestnut Ridge: Trustees Grant Valentine and Paul Van Alstyne won re-election to 4-year terms with 710 and 697 votes, respectively. Avrohom Fromovitz won a two-year term with 703 votes. He fills the seat vacated by Richard Miller, who moved from the village. Wally Sevastian will become village justice, receiving 686 votes.

  • Montebello: Mayor Lance Millman won another four-year term, running unopposed, with 397 votes. Trustees Stacy Caridi and Evan Kuperman received 390 and 382 votes for four-year terms. David Liebergall received 393 tallies for a two-year term.

Pomona Village Hall
Pomona Village Hall

The Pomona and Airmont elections showcased the growing electoral influence of the community's Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish communities.

Airmont resident Yehuda Zorger, an aide to the mayor, said the Bubel administration has earmarked several projects, including lighting for pedestrians, sidewalks, and parks.

Airmont mayoral candidate Nathan Bubel in 2019
Airmont mayoral candidate Nathan Bubel in 2019

"It was a resounding victory for the current administration led by Mayor Bubel," Zorger said. "This was most likely the last contested election in this village.

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.

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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Orthodox Jewish voters cement influence in three Ramapo villages