Former Council Presidents, Current President Endorse GOP Ticket

Two former common council presidents, Henry Ogden and Frank Macioce, and current president Ellen Dickson, endorsed the three Republican candidates for common council Thursday afternoon.

Macioce, who served as council president in 2005 and 2006 and currently serves as at-large councilman, said the three offer a unique perspective to voters, all having the experience of council presidency.  All support Andy Lark for at-large council, Nuris Portuondo in Ward I and Rich Madden in Ward II.

Andy Lark:

"He really is the consummate team player and may be the biggest-hearted guy in town," Macioce said. "He has no personal agenda."

Dickson said she named Lark chair of the finance committee this past year because she knew he would be good on his feet and could handle the pressure that comes with chairing the finance committee in a difficult budget year.

"I knew Andy can take it," she said.

Ogden, who served as council president for three years in 1998, 1999 and 2004, and who works with Lark at  Calvary Epsicopal Church said Lark is in some ways the consummate southern gentleman--even though he's not from the south.

"He's honorable," he said. "You know where you stand with him."

What makes Lark a good fit to run for at-large, Macioce said, is his experience and the fact that he has always represented the entire town.

Nuris Portuondo:

Dickson, who served on the zoning board with Portuondo previously, said she thinks she is "perfect for the position." Macioce added she has "broad-based appeal with both sides of the aisle."

"Summit is very fortunate to have her running," Ogden said.

Rich Madden:

Macioce said Madden has a resume that will "knock your socks off," but he's not running on it.

"We need a good businessman who can figure out how to cut costs and merge departments," said Dickson, especially in this tough economic times. "We need someone hard-headed who can help us through these next couple of years."