Milton leader defends firing
Election rivalry cited in deputy supervisor’s ouster
Republican Town Supervisor Benny Zlotnick fired the deputy town supervisor, who plans to challenge him in this year's election.
Zlotnick was blunt in explaining his reason for axing onetime political ally and fellow Republican Barbara Kerr from her appointed post.
“She's running against me,” Zlotnick said Thursday. “I need people around me that want to work with me, not against me.”
After firing Kerr at Wednesday night's Town Board meeting, Zlotnick appointed Democrat Ellie Dillon as his second-in-command. Kerr remains a member of the
Town Board but loses a position where she served as supervisor when Zlotnick was unavailable. Dillon is not on the board and has no vote on town matters.
Kerr's removal comes less than two years after she and Zlotnick ran on the same ticket for Town Board. It happened after Zlotnick learned that Kerr was going to run for supervisor on a new independent line, Milton United. Zlotnick, who was rejected by his party for a 2021 endorsement, is also seeking signatures on an independent line, Moving Milton Forward.
In a statement read at the meeting, Kerr said she has always supported Zlotnick.
“I feel I have gone above and beyond in my position as deputy supervisor in the last year and a half,” Kerr said at the meeting. “I have supported you and done my best in that position to represent and serve the residents of the town. I have always given you the best advice possible and the best representation in your absence.”
She also noted that as deputy she worked at the supervisor’s pleasure.
“I have no choice but to respect your decision, although I do not believe my removal is being done for a good reason or for the good of the town," Kerr said.
Dillon accepted the assignment, a $1,900 a year job, after she resigned from her position as the town’s Democratic Party chairwoman on Thursday night. She told the Democratic committee members that it’s an honor to serve the town.
“I'm accepting this honor for all town of Milton Democrats who have worked tirelessly to make Milton a better place for all residents,” she said in an email to members.
She also told the Times Union she and the committee have the utmost respect for both Zlotnick and Kerr whom the party endorsed in 2019, helping them sweep to victory.
Neither Zlotnick nor Kerr would say if they are seeking the Democratic endorsement again. Town Republicans have made their 2021 choice clear: They want to see Scott Ostrander, who was a controversial figure during his time in office, return as supervisor.
Ostrander is running with incumbent Town Board members Frank
Blaisdell and John Frolish.
Either way, Zlotnick said he will stand alone on his independent line. Kerr’s independent line will have two candidates for Town Board, Republican Jim Frey and Democrat Meg Stevens.
Kerr said Zlotnick’s appointment of Dillon makes it clear that Zlotnick is trying to curry favor with the Democrats. Zlotnick said he appointed Dillon because she has been involved in town politics.
“Ellie been in town for a long time and is familiar with issues,” Zlotnick said.
He also said he’s doing what he thought was best for the town and felt the move was necessary.
“How can I entrust to work with someone on a daily basis when they are publicly running for my job?” Zlotnick said. “We were a team working together. She has nothing to lose. If she loses, she will still have a job. I will be out of a job.”
Kerr's term on the Town Board doesn't expire until the end of 2023, meaning she'll remain in office regardless of the outcome of the supervisor's race.
But she insisted she would not do anything to hurt Zlotnick or the town.
“I have more integrity than that," she said.
Democrats will endorse candidates for supervisor and the board on July 13. Dillon said her appointment will not influence the committee endorsements.
“The Milton Democratic Committee only wants what is best for the town,” she said. “They are a thoughtful group and will take their endorsement of a candidate seriously. They will not be influenced by outside factors.”
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I feel I have gone above and beyond in my position as deputy supervisor in the last year and a half. I have supported you and done my best in that position to represent and serve the residents of the town. I have always given you the best advice possible and the best representation in your absence.”
Former Milton Deputy Supervisor Barbara Kerr