Michael Sweeton elected president of the Orange County Association of Towns, Villages and Cities

Warwick — Michael Sweeton, supervisor of the Town of Warwick, has been elected president of the Orange County Association of Towns, Villages and Cities as part of a new slate of officers for 2012. Sweeton succeeds the association’s longtime president John Ward, who has retired as supervisor for the Town of Wallkill as of Dec. 31, 2011. The new slate of officers also includes: Town of Chester Supervisor Steve Neuhaus as vice president. Town of Deerpark Supervisor Karl Brabenec as treasurer. Barbara Decker as secretary; she recently retired as Blooming Grove town clerk. The Association of Towns, Villages and Cities was formed when Orange County changed from administration by a Board of Supervisors to the current form of a County Executive and Legislature. The association is charged by its by-laws to advance the interests of member towns, villages and cities, to give strong voice to the problems and recommendations of member governments and to alert them to any forthcoming legislation or administrative actions that pertain to their interests. “I am honored to have been elected president of this valuable organization and look forward to raising the profile of the association as a voice for local government here in the county,” Sweeton said in the press release announcing his election. “Our board and the members are committed to working together to share ideas and explore new ways to deliver services to our towns, villages and cities in order to keep taxes in check for our residents.” The association meets monthly and will soon introduce a series of initiatives focused on removing state- and county-imposed mandates that drive up the cost of local government.