Published: October 29, 2009 12:00 am      

Deputy super to be on ballot

WALTON _ Walton's deputy supervisor Bruce Dolph will be on the ballot for supervisor to fill the seat vacated by the death of John Meredith.

Walton Republican Committee Chairman Gary Grayson said five committee members caucused Tuesday to choose a candidate. The members included Grayson, Al Murphy, Sharon O'Dell, Ronda Williams and Patty Wood.

Grayson said the committee had to designate a candidate seven days before the election to get the new name on the ballot.

William Campbell, Delaware County Republican election commissioner, said he faxed the proper certificate of substitution to Grayson so the committee could complete the process.

Grayson said replacing Meredith was a sad duty.

"What a joy John was to work with," Grayson said Wednesday. "He was a kid who loved his politics. He loved to get out there and shake hands and talk to people. He will be missed."

Campbell said Wednesday he was waiting for the notarized certificate to be hand-delivered to the Board of Elections in Delhi so he could get new ballots printed for the Walton race.

"When a vacancy exists because of a death, the party committee meets and certifies a new candidate," Campbell said.

Meredith, 29, died Monday from complications of a malignant brain tumor.

Meredith had been running unopposed for his fourth term as Walton supervisor.

Dolph, 50, said he has been a Walton town council member and deputy supervisor for 11 years.

See BALLOT on Page 2

Dolph is currently functioning as acting Walton supervisor.

"The reason I decided to run is to finish some of the work we began with John," Dolph said. "I believe I have the most experience to do it, but John is going to be a very hard person to follow. He was a great guy and he was doing a wonderful job."

Dolph said he and Walton Town Clerk Ronda Williams have been taking care of town business and developing a 2010 budget during Meredith's illness.

"Ronda has been super-wonderful," Dolph said. "She is what holds the town government together right now."

Dolph is a self-employed businessman who has H&R Block franchises in Walton, Delhi and Sidney. He is the treasurer of the Executive Service Corps in Oneonta, which represents Delaware and Otsego counties. He is also a member of the Walton and Delaware County Chambers of Commerce.

Dolph and his wife, Terry, have two grown sons.

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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.