Reichlin-Melnick to Kick Off Town Council Campaign

Elijah Reichlin-Melnick will officially begin his campaign for a spot on the Orangetown Town Board with a public appearance 10 a.m. Monday in front of the Orangetown Town Hall.

The Nyack resident is one of two Democratic nominees for the two open seats on the town board along with Robert Dell of Tappan. Paul Valentine of Blauvelt and Tom Morr of Pearl River have the Republican nominations.

U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel (D-New York) and State Senator David Carlucci (D-New City) will be among the elected officials attending Monday. Reichlin-Melnick worked the last three years as a caseworker in Engel's Rockland County office. Before that he was an elementary-school teacher in New Haven, CT.

"I hope that voters will come to this campaign announcement to hear my vision for our town and to share theirs," Reichlin-Melnick said through a press release.

Among the issues Reichlin-Melnick is expected to address in his campaign:

• Avoid over-development that would eliminate open space and overly strain town resources.
• Do more to support local businesses.
• Maintain an accessible town government where residents have access to their representatives
• Keep taxes as low as possible by eliminating unnecessary overtime and improving energy efficiency.