“One thing that I bring to the table is I love living here. There's nowhere else I'd rather be.”

Jeff Kaplan likes his job. And as Ellenville's Democratic candidate for mayor, he is seeking a third term to continue working on a variety of projects and explore new possibilities.

Kaplan is a lifelong resident of the village who took some time away to first attend SUNY-Albany and then Georgetown Law School. He returned to the area in 1978 and never left.

He first became involved with local politics in 1980 when he ran for the position of judge - a position he held for 10 years. In addition, over a period of 27 years, Kaplan has served as legal council for the municipalities of Ellenville, Wawarsing and Woodridge. He feels that his legal background is a significant asset in his role as mayor. As he puts it, “It's important to have someone who is comfortable negotiating on behalf of the village.”

During his two terms as mayor, Kaplan has presided over a series of what he considers successes for the village. When asked, he immediately refers to the 'village walks' that the board takes prior to its board meetings.

“They create a way for the board to interact with the community…checking out areas firsthand. We get a lot of input from the community that way.”

Among the areas that he feels have benefited most from this practice are the Kossar Place neighborhood, Park Street and the intersection of Market and Warren streets.

In addition to viewing community problems firsthand, Kaplan mentions the expansion of the village's building code enforcement.

“Building up the building department was key. During the 1980s the department was eliminated. There was no code enforcement. We are still paying the price for that.” Within the next few weeks, perhaps the largest piece of Kaplan's legacy will be on display as the village's administration will be moving its home from 81 North Main Street to the former Ellenville National and Provident Bank Building.

Kaplan spoke positively about the problems of space and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance that the new building would solve as well as its relatively inexpensive price tag - about $1,000,000 plus renovation costs.

Over the past 18 months Kaplan has pushed an agenda that aims to draw people to the village's business district. In that time, the village has put together an arts council and a farmers market with the help of several volunteers. The village also pushed through a new zoning law that allows 'mixed use' - business and residential - in the village's downtown as well as a law that allows for 'artist lofts' - the first of its kind in the region.

“You have a laboratory [in Ellenville] to try new things. You can explore new options that could work, but that doesn't mean you should you close off any old possibilities,” Kaplan said.

He hopes to continue strategies to increase foot traffic in the business district by keeping the village involved - “ a stakeholder in the community, being a source of events, helping private businesses, and pursuing more grants.”

The village's most talked about effort has been its arts initiative, which is greeted with excitement by some and distrust by others. But Kaplan does not look to the arts as a cure-all for Ellenville's problems. Rather, he sees it as a “piece of the puzzle.”

And he is concerned about the village's other pieces. In particular, Kaplan feels that Ellenville's infrastructure, “sewer, wells, municipal water and mains,” is in decline and must be addressed in the coming years.

What other projects does he plan to pursue? Kaplan says he is interested in developing a partnership with Open Space, developing the Berme Road Park to possibly include an amphitheater and keeping the village a stakeholder in the community.

As for job creation, Kaplan says that he is interested in exploring tax incentives to draw businesses to the village but cautions that creating jobs is easier said than done. But Kaplan seems to like a challenge.

“My wife said that one person can't make a difference. I think I have turned her around on that.”

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