Ted Remsnyder is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Jay Lucas has been endorsed by the Catskill Republican Committee to fill the vacancy on the Greene County Legislature created by the death of Jack Keller on December 30. The Legislature will consider the nomination during a special meeting on Wed., Feb. 2. The town of Catskill Republican Committee was tasked with nominating a replacement to serve out the rest of Keller’s unexpired three-year term on the board. Greene County Legislator Matthew Luvera, who represents Catskill and serves as chairman of the Catskill GOP, announced this week that the committee had chosen Lucas to take the seat. Luvera said, “Jay is a dedicated member of the community, serving as a sheriff’s deputy for many years, and I know he will do a great job continuing his service to the community at the legislative level.” Lucas, 67, has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for 36 years, but he is slated to retire in advance of the Legislature’s vote on his confirmation. “It’s really hard for me to give that up,” Lucas said. “But now that I got the nod, I will still continue to serve the people of the town of Catskill and Greene County.” Lucas has been a resident of Palenville since 1960, has served as a committee member for the Catskill Republican Committee for 28 years and is a lifetime member of the Palenville Fire Department. He has worked for years in the county office building in Catskill, securing the first floor entrance. Lucas said it would be particularly meaningful to him to fill Keller’s seat. “I knew him pretty well,” he said. “I met him probably 10 years ago and we became friends.” Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said, “Since Jack [Keller] was elected from Catskill, that committee took applications and did interviews. They’ll make a recommendation to the Legislature and the board will affirm or deny." Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.