Meet The Candidates
March 1st 2025
We invite you to join us for conversation and meet the candidates.
Saturday March 1st 2025 from 11am to 1 pm
The Station Grille 2578 Route 55 Poughquag
Town Candidates
Highway Superintendent Tony Coviello
For Town Board Kate Blake
For Town Supervisor Laureen Abbantuono
I have had the great honor to serve as the Beekman Highway Superintendent for 14 years, subsequently re-elected four more times. It is with great respect that I ask for your support once again in the 2025 election:
Read More Below
For Town Supervisor Laureen Abbantuono
For Town Board Kate Blake
For Town Supervisor Laureen Abbantuono
We're a community of people who share a passion for Beekman Resident's. Our club provides a platform for like-minded individuals to come together, share knowledge, and learn from each other:
Read More Below
For Town Board Gina Ragusa
For Town Board Kate Blake
For Town Board Kate Blake
We're a community of people who share a passion for Beekman Resident's. Our club provides a platform for like-minded individuals to come together, share knowledge, and learn from each other:
Read More Below
For Town Board Kate Blake
For Town Board Kate Blake
For Town Board Kate Blake
With a passion for fiscal accountability and stewardship, she has over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, and is looking forward to bringing transparency and strong leadership to our Town Board operations:
Read More Below
County Legislator District 22 Candidate
Joe Tresca for County Legislator District 22
As a candidate for Dutchess County District 22 Legislature, I am focused on strengthening local infrastructure, enhancing transparency and communication in government, and restoring a strong voice to the residents of district 22, Beekman & Union Vale. I will be committed to addressing the issues that matter most to this community and ensuring that their concerns are heard and acted upon. Read More Below
Meet The Town of Beekman 2025 Candidates
Anthony Coviello - Highway Superintendent
I have had the great honor to serve as the Beekman Highway Superintendent for 14 years, being appointed in June of 2011 and then subsequently re-elected four more times. It is with great respect that I ask for your support once again in the 2025 election
The residents of Beekman deserve elected leadership that demonstrates the ability to gain the greatest value and utility of every tax-payer dollar. Under my leadership, through economic downturns and fiscal constraints, the Town of Beekman Highway Department has never gone over budget. Furthermore, while exercising stringent budget measures, I have continuously improved our services and infrastructure year after year.
Over the course of my tenure as Highway Superintendent, the Town of Beekman Highway Department has upgraded and modernized our aging drainage system by installing over 73,000 feet of HDPE drainage pipe while also resurfacing over 64 lane miles of Town road. I have replaced failing equipment in the most fiscally responsible manner possible. To do this, I organically refurbished and sold aging and dysfunctional surplus equipment, while replacing it with either brand new or slightly used equipment, utilizing the aging surplus equipment’s realized sales revenue with Town Board approval.
To produce the most efficient local government for our citizens, I have leveraged opportunities with higher levels of government. This endeavor has included participation in shared services agreements in past years with the County of Dutchess, resulting in cost reductions to Dutchess County DPW, while producing a revenue stream for the Town of Beekman. Additionally, each year our Highway department strategically maximizes CHIPS funding from NYS to offset expenditures in my limited Town budget for our infrastructure.
Above all else, I cherish the close relationship I have with the residents of the Town of Beekman. It has been my priority to maintain an open-door policy, offering each citizen the opportunity to have easy access and communication with me, directly. It matters greatly that each vote of support I have ever received is earned, and continuously honored, through hard work and dedication in creating a safe, reliable, and pleasurable environment to call home.
With your support, I very much look forward to being re-elected as your Highway Superintendent in 2025.
Sincerely
Anthony Coviello
Town of Beekman Highway Superintendent
Laureen Abbatantuono - Town Clerk, Running for Town Supervisor
Dear Friends and Neighbors of Beekman,
I have had the privilege of calling New York my home for my entire life, with the past 22 years spent right here in Beekman. Along with my husband, I have raised two children and been an active member of this community—participating in countless school and community events, and supporting the causes that matter most to us all.
Over the years, I have served on the PTA committees of Vail Farm and Union Vale Middle School, volunteered at school and community functions, and organized various drives, including those for food, coats, blood, and toys. Public service and volunteering have been the cornerstones of my life. Whether it's cheering on our youth sports teams or helping organize fundraisers, I’ve always believed in giving back to the community that has supported my family so generously.
One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had recently was volunteering at the traveling Vietnam Wall, where I had the honor of assisting visitors in locating the names of their loved ones and guiding them through the exhibit. As the daughter of a Korean War veteran, this experience was especially poignant and emotional, filled with stories of bravery, sacrifice, and loss. I will never forget the deep connections I made with veterans and their families that day.
In my professional career, I have gained extensive experience in customer service and landlord management, where listening, negotiation, and problem-solving were essential to my success. My commitment to building trust and respect through clear communication and responsible management has shaped my approach to everything I do.
For the past five years, I have had the honor of serving as your Town Clerk and Tax Receiver. This position has taught me the importance of organization, accountability, and transparency. I took on this role with the firm belief that local government should be trusted and responsive to the needs of its residents. My experience in this capacity has allowed me to work closely with many of you, and it has only strengthened my resolve to serve our community with integrity and care. I take great pride in my interactions with all Beekman’s residents, always striving to ensure that everyone is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
As your Town Supervisor, I will continue to prioritize transparency in all actions, maintain open communication, and always act in the best interests of our town. I am committed to earning your trust each and every day. We are stronger when we work together, and I believe that, with your vote, we can bring the change necessary to make Beekman an even better place to live for everyone.
I am grateful for the relationships I have built in this community and the support I have received over the years. I ask for your vote, your trust, and your confidence to continue working on behalf of all of us in Beekman. Together, we can achieve great things.
Sincerely,
Laureen Abbatantuono
Candidate for Town Supervisor, Beekman
Kate Blake - Running for Town Board
Kate is a lifelong New Yorker and resident of the Town of Beekman for 16 years.
With a passion for fiscal accountability and stewardship, she has over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, and is looking forward to bringing transparency and strong leadership to our Town Board operations.
In her free time, you can find Kate on the rail trail, hiking Nuclear Lake, gardening, or hanging out with family and friends. Kate is a proud mom to a soon to be Arlington Kindergartner, and an active member of the local community - most recently, Kate’s volunteer work includes serving as tee ball coach in the fall 2024 season for one of our local teams, and she also enjoys helping out as a volunteer foster for a local animal shelter. Kate is also an active leader in the professional community, recently featured as a speaker and subject matter expert with the American Bankers Association and Allegheny County Bar Association. She is also a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, and has served as a volunteer member of their Education & Examination Committee.
Kate holds her Bachelors degree from the CUNY School of Professional Studies and is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at Empire State College.
With a blend of professional and educational expertise, hometown roots, and a love for the local character that makes Beekman beautiful, Kate looks forward to earning your vote as we build the future of Beekman together.
Sincerely
Kate Blake
Gina Ragusa - Running for Town Board
I have been a proud resident of the Town of Beekman for the past 17 years. As a dedicated community advocate, self-employed businesswoman, wife of an Arlington School District bus driver, and mother of two Arlington graduates, I understand the importance of investing in our town’s future.
My commitment to public service is evident through years of volunteer work, including serving as PTA President at Vail Farm Elementary, PTSA Vice President at Arlington High School, and Advancement Chairperson for Boy Scout Troop #82. I have led successful fundraising efforts for the Boy Scouts, VFES, and the AHS Winter Percussion Program, helping raise over $13,000 and collecting more than 100 prom dresses for the Admirals Closet at Arlington High School. My proudest accomplishment, however, is mentoring over 30 young men on their journey to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
I have over 40 years of experience in the real estate industry, with an additional 10 years of part-time service working for a New York City Councilman. During this time, I played a key role in addressing and resolving constituents' concerns, ensuring their voices were heard and their issues were effectively addressed.
I’m running for Town Council to restore transparency, accountability, and resident-focused leadership to Beekman. I believe taxpayers deserve better—better communication, better financial stewardship, and better opportunities for community engagement. I am committed to negotiating fair vendor contracts, reinstating valuable town services, and creating events that bring residents together.
Most importantly, I want to ensure that every resident’s voice is heard in the decisions that shape Beekman’s future.
I would be honored to earn your support and your vote. Together, we can make Beekman stronger, more unified, and a place we are all proud to call home.
Joe Tresca - Running for County Legislator "District 22"
I am a proud resident of Dutchess County for over a decade, residing in Beekman with my wife and daughter for 12 years.
With 17 years of dedicated service at a local highway department, I have worked to ensure safe and well-maintained roads for the community. My commitment to public safety extends to 15 years as a volunteer with the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, where I have gained firsthand experience in emergency response and community service.
As a small e-commerce business owner, I have honed my skills in finance and reporting, bringing a results-driven, detail-oriented approach to my work.
I have also contributed to shaping this community by advocating for local legislation to regulate short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, helping to protect neighborhood integrity and preserve local housing availability.
Now, as a candidate for Dutchess County District 22 Legislature, I am focused on strengthening local infrastructure, enhancing transparency and communication in government, and restoring a strong voice to the residents of this district. I will be committed to addressing the issues that matter most to this community and ensuring that their concerns are heard and acted upon.
Become a part of our community, Let your voices be heard!
Our Vision
About Our Group
We, the people of Beekman have had enough. The era of the same small group clinging to power, running things behind closed doors, must come to an end. We demand accountability, fairness, and transparency in our town government.
No more backroom deals. No more stacking committees with handpicked puppets whose sole purpose is to push a dictator’s agenda. No more political retribution against those who dare to speak out or challenge the status quo.
Our beautiful town deserves better. Beekman deserves leadership that listens, represents all residents, and embraces change for the good of everyone—not just a select few. It’s time for positive, people-driven progress that puts our community first.
Together, we can restore integrity, fairness, and trust in Beekman’s future. Let’s stand united and bring about the change we all deserve!