Middletown honors Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther; mayor cites millions in grants for downtown projects

The City of Middletown on Dec. 17 presented a proclamation to New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther recognizing more than two decades of service and her role in securing state and federal funding for local projects.

Mayor Joseph DeStefano and Council President Rodriguez read a list of projects attributed to Gunther's advocacy, including renovation of the senior center, courthouse acquisition, restoration of the O&W railroad station, upgrades to downtown lighting and surveillance infrastructure, construction of a multi‑use ball field and a planned splash pad at Maple Hill Park. The mayor said the City had secured a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award of approximately $4,100,000 for the O&W station and estimated Gunther helped bring "over $8,000,000" in investments to Middletown in recent years.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, who said she chose not to seek reelection this year, thanked city officials and residents for their support and reflected on her time in office. "People love coming to Middletown and it's because all of you," she said in remarks recorded in the transcript.

Council members echoed praise and noted the scale of projects delivered through joint state‑city efforts. One alderman later said the cumulative advocacy over Gunther's tenure may exceed the mayor's figure; the record contains differing estimates and councilmembers used a range of numbers during remarks.

What happens next: the city announced plans to install a commemorative plaque and present a symbolic key to the city at the splash pad site; the proposed splash pad was discussed with a planning estimate the transcript ranged between $1,000,000 and $1,300,000 depending on final design and costs.