Sam Raudins is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Republican Jeff Holliday has been declared the winner of the Catskill Village Board special election held July 6. The former state trooper bested his Democratic opponent Michelle Williams on a final vote of 451 to 369. His win came after absentee ballots were counted on July 8. Holliday will fill the seat left vacant created by the resignation of Vincent Seeley in January. Williams, the founder of The Mermaid Cafe and Bittersweet Ice Cream Shop, took an early lead on election night, 315 to 252, with 265 absentee ballots yet to be counted. But, Greene County Board of Elections Republican Commissioner Brent Bogardus said Holliday had 199 absentee votes to Williams’ 54. Williams said in a statement she was “disappointed with the final results but enjoyed the experience as a first-time candidate .... I look forward to running again in the future and want to thank all who voted for me no matter their party.” Holliday said he hopes to be seated for the next village board meeting on July 14, after the Board of Elections certifies the results. “I’m excited for the opportunity,” Holliday said. “I’m really appreciative of my supporters. I’m looking forward to get[ting] to work because we do have some things we need to get taken care of,..." Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.