Barring what might well be described as a political upset, the distinguished political career of George A. Green might soon be over.

Green, the incumbent, is running for re-election on November 5. He will appear on the Conservative and Independence Party lines on the ballot. Though he has the support of many within the town’s Republican hierarchy, he is not his party’s nominee, having lost the primary in June.

His opponent is George J. Meyers, a Republican who was endorsed and nominated by the town’s Democratic committee and who won the Republican nomination in the primary. Such is the state of New Windsor politics in 2019.

When it comes to New Windsor politics, the elephant in the room is the health of the town supervisor. He has not been at work at town hall for months. He has not appeared at any town board meetings in months.

For the past two years, the town has employed well-paid assistants who often made appearances on behalf of the town supervisor. Last year the position of Chief of Staff was held by Colin Schmitt, who resigned last November, when he was elected to the state assembly. This year, Cornwall resident James McGee, a former aide to the late Senator Bill Larkin – and current candidate for Cornwall Town Board - has been employed as an Assistant to the Supervisor, at a reported salary and benefits of approximately $100,000. Both appointments were apparently made by the town supervisor without input from the town board or the public.

Both the absence of the supervisor and the presence of high-priced replacements have served as lightning rods for the town Democrats who have nominated a full slate of candidates this year and called for wholesale changes in the town government.

A person’s health is normally a confidential matter, and while no one wants to sound insensitive, it is a matter that must be addressed. New Windsor residents have a right to know if a person elected to public office is physically capable of serving. If not, they need to know before Election Day.

And George Green deserves better too, than to have unanswered questions cost him the election and ultimately his career. A dedicated public servant, he deserves the opportunity to leave on his own terms.