Raymond Pignone is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media on the two candidates competing for the open seat on the Durham Town Board in the November election. Republicans are running Lisa M. Cirillo. Cirillo, 60, moved upstate in 2001 and lived in Oak Hill until 2008, when she moved to East Durham. She is employed by the Office of the Comptroller as an Employees Retirement Systems Examiner. This is her first bid for elected office. Cirillo defines economic development as the top issue facing the community. She currently serves on the committee for economic development. The committee is currently looking into bringing a medical facility to Durham. She claims a good fit for town board because of her government experience, Cirillo says. "...I have worked in local and state government for almost 20 years. I look forward to being a voice for the people in our town and helping them to accomplish what they believe needs to be changed. In my capacity as committee member for economic development, I hope to help bring a much needed medical facility to our town.” Lifetime East Durham resident Brenna Rustick, 20, is running on the Democrat line. Rustick is employed at the Milk Run in Durham and is a full-time college student. She will graduate from the College of Saint Rose in December with a degree in criminal justice. Rustick ran for the Durham Town Board in 2019. “One of the issues facing the town of Durham right now is the issue of broadband and cell service," she said. "Especially in this time during COVID-19, with lots of things moving online, such as school and work. It has been really hard for a majority of town residents because they have had to utilize the wireless internet from various businesses in town." Rustick said it is doubly hard for the younger members of the community because they also lack the transportation needed to get to locations where WiFi is available. Rustick said she would be a good choice for town board “...because I am different than what has been the ‘typical’ councilmember. Not only am I younger, but I am a different political party than the other members. I think this would be not only a perfect way to get the different generations of the town to work together, but also to make people aware that those of different political parties can work together to make Durham the best it can be. Read more at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.