‘Painted village’ tarnished

This episode and the recent allegations throwing shade over their residency and if they violated state election law remind us that charges of political skulduggery can surface in small, rural communities as easily as in big cities.

Two complaints filed with the Greene County Board of Elections describe inappropriate questioning faced by longtime village residents about their residency as well as racial and religious profiling. In one instance, the accuser claims to have observed election inspector and Village Republican Party Chairwoman Gina Guarino filling out the ballot of an elderly resident, according to the complaint.

The second complainant wrote he and a family member were referred to as “you people” by Guarino, who said her “boss” instructed her to challenge their votes. The second complaint’s author also described Guarino filling out the ballot of an elderly man herself. Guarino said, “OK, OK, I will bring him back to vote again,” according to the complaint.

Guarino denied all the allegations Monday.

The author of the first complaint used the term “harassment” to describe officials’ behavior. She wrote that despite being a longtime resident of the village and a regular voter in village elections, her residency was challenged by officials. The author also described seeing the questioning of another longtime resident of Tannersville — a Vietnam veteran who the author believes is a likely supporter of incumbent Mayor Lee McGunnigle. The author received calls throughout the day about other McGunnigle supporters being challenged at the polls, according to the complaint.

David Schneider, who is running to unseat McGunnigle, said Monday he knew nothing about the events described in the complaints.

If McGunnigle and Schneider are looking for something to keep them busy when a winner is finally declared, there’s plenty to do to ensure that this embarrassing narrative doesn’t happen again.