Fornario endorses Donnery for county executive

BLOOMING GROVE — Blooming Grove Supervisor Frank Fornario on Tuesday said he is throwing his weight behind the candidacy of Democrat Roxanne Donnery in her bid for Orange County Executive.

Deviating from party loyalties, Fornario, a Republican, said Donnery had a proven track record of working in the community.

"Roxanne's election will send a message that Orange County residents want an end to the lockstep political thinking that only furthers partisan political interests and does little to benefit the people of Orange County," Fornario said. "What I know is Roxanne is the one candidate who has proven her ability to successfully build partnerships and address the important issues we face as a county. "

Fornario also praised Donnery for her strong adherence to professional ethics, citing her fight to win federal aid for schools, and her opposition to the Kiryas Joel pipeline and the closure of the county-run nursing home, Valley View. Fornario and Donnery led the charge to create the position of Inspector General in the county, as an independent watchdog over county business. Opponents, led by County Executive Edward Diana, thwarted the proposal.

"She doesn't care what party someone belongs to," Fornario said. "She cares about getting things done for the good of our community. That's why it was easy for us to work together on issues."

The endorsement highlighted a rift between Fornario and neighboring Chester Supervisor Steve Neuhaus, who is running for county executive on the Republican line. Fornario and Neuhaus have been at odds over a lawsuit to stop county sewer service to the Camp LaGuardia site. Blooming Grove this spring won the suit, which halted development plans at the site. Chester declined to join the suit. Diana said Neuhaus supported the extension of sewer service.