Elliott Auerbach, Ellenville's village manager for the past five years, announced his intent to run for the new position of Ulster County Comptroller on Friday. Auerbach was approached by the county's Democratic Party leaders and asked to run, he says.

"I gave it a lot of thought, really spoke to a number of people who I regard as [possessing] understanding of the position, understanding of who I am and what value I can bring to the table, and came to the decision about ten days ago," says Auerbach.

The position of county comptroller comes as a result of Ulster County's adoption of a charter during last year's election. With the charter, the county will elect both a comptroller and a county executive during this November's election, with each party's candidates decided in a party-caucus in June. The county's executive position is similar in relationship to its municipality to that of a town's supervisor or a state's governor. Auerbach describes the position of comptroller as, "a balance to the executive's check, and the balance to the legislative check."

"It's an all-encompassing job," says Auerbach. "It really is anything and everything to do with the monitoring of county government. And that includes contracts, audits, payments, it's pretty widespread… A lot of people think as the comptroller as the chief financial officer, and that's really not the case. There will be a financial officer that will be appointed by the county executive."

When asked about what drew him to the position of comptroller and why he would decide to run for countywide office now, Auerbach responded by emphasizing the unique moment the upcoming election represents in the county's history.

"We are literally shifting the way government's going to be run as of 2009 in Ulster County. It's pretty exciting because right now we're a legislative form of government with 33 people, and it's decision by committee, and in a lot of respects that may be one of the factors of why we haven't moved this county forward in the direction that we should have, like our neighboring counties. It's exciting for me because it's an opportunity for me be involved from the onset in a change in government here."

Auerbach's announcement comes during a difficult time for the municipality of Ellenville, which has been in the throes of economic downturn and a deficit in the general fund, and that the announcement of his campaign may look to some as though he is 'abandoning ship.' Auerbach acknowledges the village's difficult financial situation, but disagrees with such sentiments, forecasting that the village should be well on its way to recovery by November.

"I think where we're at right now is that I've kicked open the door for the board to see what the village's situation is right now," explains Auerbach. "I've tried to be brutally honest with them in explaining to them the ramifications of what has been done up to now and why we are where we are because of what has been done. I think by the time I leave, if I do in fact leave, the village will be a lot better off if the board begins to implement some or most of my recommendations."

Among such recommendations are his urging for stronger tax-collection and his push for the village board to implement a stronger and technologically driven purchasing program, one that would, "account for the dollar the minute it's placed in the budget."

"I'm charged with making the budget, but not with the financial side of the budget," says Auerbach by way of explaining the need for the stronger purchasing program's implementation.

Despite frustrations with the sometimes slow process of having suggestions implemented or going unheeded altogether, Auerbach says they aren't motivating his campaign for comptroller.

"What I really see is an opportunity," he says. "I really am excited about the ability to really affect change on a county-wide level."

As to whether or not he'll stay on as village manager should he not be elected as the comptroller, Auerbach says, "If the board wants me to, absolutely. I'm at the will of the board."

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