Like many Americans, I fear that our democracy and well-being is threatened and feel called upon to act, and the best I feel I can do is join the Town Board to represent and preserve what we value here.
There are fiscal cuts coming at the national level (USDA food subsidies, Medicaid, VA and Social Security access, elimination of FEMA grants and basic protections for the vulnerable) and they will have an impact locally. The challenge is real.
Beyond that, I am running to be a voice for Saugertiesians who want to see our town prosper and grow in a way that protects what we love about it, its small-town vibe, friendly community and natural beauty.
LIST OF ISSUES
Lower Taxes
By national standards, our local taxes are high. I promise to be a careful steward of how we raise and spend money and will do what I can within my power to budget for only what is necessary and give the taxpayers a good return on taxes paid.
In my Federal career, I had considerable experience planning, programming and executing a budget and I feel I can bring that experience to bear in Saugerties. That said, it will be a challenge due to the expected reduced assistance from the Federal Government to the states, and the trickle-down impact of that locally.
Environmental Stewardship
We are fortunate to live in an area of the country with good clean air and plenty of water, but we all know the dark reality of manmade climate change.
We need to do what we can locally to minimize adding to that. At the same time, we must not take for granted what we have historically enjoyed in abundance. We must ensure that Saugerties has a safe, plentiful water supply and not approve measures that exceed what nature has provided us, both in quantity and quality. We need to do what we can locally to wean ourselves from fossil fuel and minimize waste.
Winston Farm
If Saugerties is the gateway city to the Catskills, Winston Farm is the actual gateway to the Catskills. I have been, and will continue to be, a voice for protecting as much of the natural flora and fauna of the that area as we can. I am a committed environmentalist and well-versed in the SEQRA process. If elected, I will actively pursue zoning that insures that the beauty and vitality of that area will be preserved.
Economic Opportunity
Saugerties needs to provide economic reasons for young families to come here and, for those lucky enough to be raised here, to stay.
We need to stimulate growth carefully, growth that provides jobs that pay above the minimum wage and offer a career path, such as Markertek. At the same time, we don’t want industry that is destructive to our natural beauty and environment. As a starting point, we should take steps to stimulate the growth of small businesses, ones that are already functioning, as well as start-ups that are environmentally friendly.
Housing
Review zoning. Exploit opportunities for more dense housing (such as ADUs), smaller, starter housing. Removal and replacement of derelict houses. Identify open spaces we want to preserve and explore use of conservation easements and other means to preserve open space.
Law Enforcement
Avoid militarization of police and preserve the firewall between police and federal immigration authorities. This is smart policing. The mission of our police force is to protect all the people of our town. And being seen as an extension of immigration authorities will shut down communication with local immigrants, something the police do not want. I support efforts to demand ICE remove masks and provide identification. I will fight establishment of any detention centers in our township.
Traffic
Has anyone but me noticed the 4pm traffic jam on Rt 212? We need to explore traffic solutions and bear in mind the impact future development may have on traffic congestion.