(unedited, in alphabetical order, by position)
Town Supervisor
Carl Chipman: after several requests, this candidate has not yet submitted biographical information.
Pamela Duke: Mother of two and Grandmother of two, lives in Kerhonkson. First elected to position of Town Supervisor in 2003, re elected in 2005. Personal Statements:
- When I first ran for office, I thought our town government could do a better job helping our residents. I think we have a more business-like attitude and are better equipped to handle the increasingly complex requirements that Towns now have to adhere to. I also thought that it was time to fix our outdated zoning laws. We’ve started the process in Rochester, and I want to work to ensure that it’s done properly.
- How do you plan to continue if elected (zoning) and name one thing you may have already initiated that you hope to support and promote even more? We’ve come a long way in the past four years working to address all aspects of growth. We’re the fastest growing town in the county and we have something missing and whether we want it or not, our town is going to grow. With that comes a need for more infrastructure, and potentially higher school taxes. If we want to keep our rural lifestyle, we need to manage that growth and I’m running for re-election to see that process through.
- Do you feel you have done an effective job so far and name one are you feel you have been most effective? I think that we’ve done a great job on the Town Board in addressing the future direction of our Town. We’ve improved financial controls and we have opened the dialogue on the direction our Town should go in the future. The decisions we are discussing and making now will have an impact on the shape of our town long after we’re all gone. I think that starting that dialogue is the most important thing that any Supervisor can do.
Town Council
Tavi Cilenti: after several requests, this candidate has not yet submitted biographical information.
Francis Gray: Married, lives in Kerhonkson. First elected to Town Board in 2003. Personal Statements:
- We started several positive initiatives during my first term in office and I would like to continue to ensure that they are completed and properly implemented. Each of these is designed to create an environment that is for the benefit of the people of the town as a whole and will help the town for the next half century, including the revised comprehensive plan, the revised zoning and subdivision codes, improved cellular service and wider accessibility to broadband internet service.
- I think the Town Board has done a lot to preserve our town’s character and resources for future generations, but the process has been divisive even though we’ve tried to give as many opportunities as possible for people to have input into the process. No body likes change, it can be scary, and the more people keep informed and talk about change together. If our community doesn’t manage change, we’ll be forced to accept whatever the next developer wants to do.
- As an elected official you will hear complaints regarding school taxes. Do you support a property tax reform movement and why? You’re right. Town Board has no input in to the formulation of school budgets or the tax levy that the school board passes down onto the town’s property owners. I have been very supportive of the property tax reform movement, and Rochester was one of the initial towns in Ulster County to help this movement move state-wide with the Hudson Valley Property Tax Reform committee that we worked on with neighboring towns. I would definitely work on this to see if we can get a state-wide consensus on changing the way our schools are paid for. Property taxes and other ad valorem taxes are not an equitable way for small communities like ours to pay for education.
- How do you plan to continue if elected (zoning) and name one thing you may have already initiated that you hope to support and promote even more? One initiative started that needs to be completed is the installation of the cell towers. This will allow new businesses that require broadband support to locate in Rochester; bring new revenue to the Town’s coffers (minimum of $32,000 annually) to help offset taxes and allow residents in Rochester the opportunity to work nearly anywhere in the world by telecommuting.
- Do you feel you have done an effective job so far and name one are you feel you have been most effective? On the Town Board we’ve opened the town to an open discussion shared by all who want to participate so that the town can develop into what the majority of residents want. Access to elected officials is important and I’ve always been willing to talk to anyone on any subject.
Manuela Michailescu: after several requests, this candidate has not yet submitted biographical information.
Donna Ragonese: Mother of two, Grandmother of three, lives in Kerhonkson. First run for elected office. Personal Statements:
- I participated in the updating of the Comprehensive Plan (for 18 months) and have learned about the challenges facing our town. I would like to continue to be a part of the positive growth and development of our township so that ALL of us may have access to an affordable, comfortable, beautiful, healthy and safe environment.
- The first thing we have to do in our town is stop yelling at each other and spend more time listening to each other. There are a lot of things that can be used to divide us, but that won’t help us. In the end, we all need to work together to talk about new ideas – and old ones—that we can work together on to make our community better for our children. If everyone’s concerns are listened to, I think we’ll be able to join together.
- As an elected official you will hear complaints regarding school taxes. Do you support a property tax reform movement and why? As a former teacher and through my current activities with Cornell’s cooperative education program and early childhood learning programs in Rochester, education holds a special place in my heart. Good school systems are necessary for holding communities together. Unfortunately, the present way of funding schools is becoming extremely unaffordable for working families, our senior citizens and a large number of others. Something has to be done to ensure that we can provide the best education for our children in a way that is affordable and equitable and I would support any movement that would protect education spending in a fairer and more affordable way.
Town Justice
Albert Babcock III: after several requests, this candidate has not yet submitted biographical information.
Paul Shaheen: Father of three, lives in Kerhonkson. First run for elected office. Personal Statements:
- I think that qualifications matter in our local justice courts. Rochester is a small town, however, there has been an increase in the number and the complexity of the cases that we and other small town courts have seen. I believe that my legal education and 20 years’ experience as a practicing attorney will improve the ability of our local court to deal these cases in a fair and equitable manner and to provide the justice that all our residents deserve.
- Do you look at community service as an option when working with those who come before you on legal issues and do you use it. Please provide a comment how you feel it might save taxpayers money? I do believe in community service and alternative sentencing in cases where it’s appropriate. In my law practice, I’ve been in justice courts in a lot of towns around the county and I’ve seen a wide range of practices. I hope to bring my court room and legal experience to Rochester as well as my knowledge of the law to ensure that justice is served impartially and fairly. Community service and other alternative sentencing can save taxpayers money because it can be more effective in putting people on the right track, Incarceration costs tens of thousands of dollars per year and isn’t always in the best interests of the community or the offender.
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What We Got Here is a Failure to Communicate
Moderator's Note : We look forward to publishing bio's and profiles from any candidate who may have missed the previous deadline. Please use the e-mail button to contact me and/or click my name to send in your information. TOR2007 --click to e-mail.
1 comment:
It's interesting that an avenue to reach the general population that has been set up as non political has been turned down by all the Republican Club candidates. What exactly are the unbiased members of the community to think about this rejection to publish a bit about themselves? Are we to believe that they have nothing to say? Are we to believe that they don't want to speak to whole community, only those who are predisposed to listen? Are we to believe they don't want to expose themselves? What's the strategy? Watching the Republican Club in action leads me to believe that there is a strategy? I'm at a loss to understand this one.
On another note, I would be very interested to hear from all the candidates their strategies for bringing the town together. We are divided now, and only a determined intention to unify us done on a public level will help. I'd appreciate knowing their thoughts on the subject.
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