Newburgh City Charter Revision Passes

A months-long effort by an appointed commission, assisted by Lester Steinman, Esq., SUNY CRREO Director Gerald Benjamin and Pattern CEO Jonathan Drapkin, resulted in successful votes on both propositions to restructure City of Newburgh government in the November 8 election. 

The proposition to add two seats to City Council, replacing a 90-year old at-large system by allowing voters to directly elect representatives from their wards, was passed by an unofficial vote of 1,146 to 498. The second charter revision, giving City Council more power over the hiring and supervision of the city manager, was passed by an official vote of 1,270 to 364.

Drapkin emphasized that credit should be given the members of the Charter Review Commission themselves.  "They not only embraced the concept of representative democracy for Newburgh, but they all expended great effort to engage their neighbors' involvement and support through an enthusiastic word-of-mouth campaign toward this positive outcome," he said.

Click here for the Charter Review Commission's presentation to voters >>