Ed note: as of this writing both prospective candidates support the Patterson Crossing Sprawl*Mall - rising the spectre of an anti-mall candidate that would make the race much more interesting. JmG

Legislator considers challenging Tulipane
By MICHAEL RISINIT
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: May 1, 2005)

County Legislator Arne Nordstrom, who used his Kent councilman experience as a stepping stone to county legislator, is thinking of running for Kent supervisor.

"I'm going through the process to see if it's viable or not," Nordstrom, 63, said, adding he expected to make an announcement in a week or so.

If Nordstrom, a Republican, decides to run, it would set up a contest with Democratic Supervisor William Tulipane. Tulipane is coming to the end of his first term, one he garnered by beating Republican Councilman Louis Tartaro and three-term Supervisor Annmarie Baisley in 2003.

November, said Lake Carmel resident Samantha Eisnor, is pretty far away.

"We've got time to think," she said while walking by the lake on a recent afternoon.

Nordstrom, who easily won a fifth term last November, said he's been asked several times in the "last four or five years to run for that position."

He ticked off his two years on the town Planning Board, 12 years as councilman and four-plus terms as a county lawmaker as his qualifications.

In recent years, he has been involved with the county's long-awaited effort to build a new courthouse and downtown revitalization in Carmel and Kent.

"I know the lay of the land and how to work the system," said Nordstrom, a building contractor. "I could accomplish a lot more than I think is being accomplished."

Nordstrom declined to elaborate on what those achievements could be, saying he would "get into that later." Tulipane, a retired New York City firefighter who garnered the town's top spot on his third try, took issue with Nordstrom's statements.

"It's going to be a very interesting political season," said Tulipane, 58. "I will be very interested to hear Mr. Nordstrom enumerate those things he can accomplish that the current Town Board can't accomplish because the board is primarily composed of people from his persuasion."

Tulipane, who has a master's degree in public administration, has received kudos for some accomplishments, such as instituting better financial practices. But he has also had his battles, such as arguments with the Lake Carmel Park District over uses for the former Lake Carmel firehouse.

Republicans hold a 3-2 majority on the board. Councilman Joseph D'Ambrosio is the board's other Democrat. County legislators are paid $34,447 a year for a three-year term. The supervisor earns $52,327 a year for a two-year term.