Owego mayor Kevin Millar and his challenger, business owner Lisa Curatolo, are expressing frustration that work in the village following the 2011 flood hasn't move forward more quickly.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Millar and Curatolo are facing each other in the March 18 election.

During an interview on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Friday, Curatolo expressed concern that there's "basically no liason" between the mayor's office and federal and state officials in dealing with post-flood issues.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Millar acknowledged efforts toward long-term recovery haven't gone as quickly as anyone would like but he attributed delays to the bureaucracy that's in place to prevent fraud in federal and state assistance programs.

In an interview on Monday's Binghamton Now program, Millar discussed his February 9 DWI arrest in Owego.

Millar said he "was out on a Saturday night and had a few beers too many." He said the legal case has been moved from Owego to Waverly.

The mayor said he believes village residents appeared to have accepted the apology he issued shortly after his arrest became known.

One of the charges filed by the Tioga County Sheriff's Office was driving while ability was impaired by a combination of drugs and alcohol. Millar said: "There were no drugs involved."

During the radio interview Millar was asked whether he believes he has a drinking problem. The mayor said: "I believe I do and I think I have had one and I have not had a drink since that night and I do not plan to for quite some time."

Millar was asked whether he thought his arrest might have served as a wake-up call. He said: "I definitely do think that."

Millar said he doesn't believe the arrest will have a big impact on next week's election. He said he thinks residents will understand that people make mistakes and he's "being open and honest about it and dealing with it appropriately."

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