RICHARD KAVESH
Doug Foster and Jen White will both make terrific Trustees. They are thoughtful and open-minded about the issues, passionate and enthusiastic about the village we all love, innovative and creative problem-solvers, and proven team players.
Jen White’s Responses to Dem Commmitee’s Questions
The following are Jen White’s responses to the Democratic Committee’s questions. The Committee has endorsed Jen and Doug.
When you are mayor, would you include money in the budget to repair the deplorable, dangerous sidewalks on Nyack’s residential streets?
I think it was folly for the Village to eliminate any program in which an expense that should normally be provided by the Village government is split between homeowners and the Village. That said, I don’t believe that the system ever worked in Nyack as is apparent in the sad state of many of our streets, something that cannot be attributed to economic down turn. It is important that the health of any community be reflected in the way it looks to those visiting and living there. I think the sidewalks need to be repaired. How to fund such a thing is not clear to me yet. I will repeat the refrain throughout this questionnaire that we must find alternative ways of funding necessities and luxuries in this community. In my time raising money for Memorial Park, I have discovered many alternatives to taxes and punitive fines or general parking fees. That said, I think that infrastructure and aesthetic repairs should be high on the list of things the Village spends, or raises money for and on.
Doug Foster’s Responses to Dem Committee Questions
The following is Doug Foster’s responses to questions asked by the Democratic Committee. The Committee has endorsed both Jen and Doug.
1. There is a concern that Nyack’s infrastructure, including sidewalks, is deteriorating. If you agree that this is a concern, how would you find money to deal with this concern?
I do agree that the apparent condition of Nyack’s infrastructure is worrisome, and there appears to be a high degree of “deferred maintenance”. A top issue for me if I am to be Trustee is to institute proper management practices. For infrastructure, Nyack should have a capital plan. The base of such a plan will be a long-term analysis of roads, sidewalks, utilities and other infrastructure (like street trees).
Armed with the resulting information, a budget and calendar would be created to maintain Nyack’s assets. Major infrastructure expenses, which have long-term benefits, should be bonded. The key is to base decisions off of a clear plan so the process is based on good information and a long-term viewpoint.
