CLICK HERE to read the endorsement, or read on.

Journal News — Oct. 29, 2009

It’s a rarity to have three candidates running for two seats on Nyack’s village board. Even more interesting is that none is an incumbent; the two candidates whose terms were up, Marie Lorenzini and Denise Hogan, sought the mayor’s seat. Jennifer Laird White and Doug Foster are the Democratic candidates. Maureen Dougher, a Republican candidate – another rarity for Nyack – is also running on the Independence and Citizens Committee lines.

We endorse Laird White, who has already helped the village invest $100,000 in its priceless waterfront through her work with the nonprofit Nyack Park Conservancy. We also endorse Foster, an urban planner by trade, who said many of Nyack’s bigger problems can be addressed with a series of small-scale solutions.

While the trustee candidates called Riverspace Arts’ ambitious $100 million revitalization plan for downtown a “wonderful” and “lovely” concept, they all fixed their gazes on the bottom line. Foster questioned the grand scale for a small village. Dougher pointed out the 10 or so empty storefronts now downtown, wondering who would fill all the added retail space. Laird White said the plan would replace the “hideous gaping wound in the middle of Nyack,” but it remains unclear whether the village could handle the influx of traffic a successful project would bring.

Rowdiness from the late-night bar crowd often fuels tension in Nyack. “I think the Orangetown police are doing the job they are being asked to do,” Laird White said. She wants a more local presence from Orangetown. While going back to a Nyack Police Department is counterintuitive, the village board can accomplish more of a local presence through negotiations with Orangetown. Foster said security isn’t just about policing: better lighting downtown and a well-designed streetscape can improve nighttime safety. That same downtown is too quiet during the daytime for local merchants. Laird White said the village board needs to show more interest in economic development.

All three candidates had issues with the major parking changes the village has undertaken, but their solutions differed. Dougher wants to revisit the issue and ease up on “aggressive enforcement.” Foster wants a more “civil discussion” about the best solutions. Laird White wants a closer examination of the revenue it generates, but for now, “people need to calm down about parking.”

All three saw a need for the village board meetings to be more organized, and more productive. Laird White pointed to a “logjam of studies,” and Foster characterized meetings with trustees spending “a lot of time talking about very small things and little time on really big things.” Let’s see if Foster and Laird White can get the discussions focused and turn talk into action.

As the volunteer Chairman of the Nyack Zoning Board of Appeals for nearly a decade, I have had the pleasure of working closely with the Trustees on Land Use and other issues. Based on my experience in our Village government I strongly endorse Jen White and Doug Foster for Trustee.

Both Jen and Doug worked on the Mayor’s Task Force on the Redevelopment of the Downtown Superblock, which I chaired. Both had insightful comments which helped frame the final recommendations. I’ve known Jen for 10 years and am always amazed at her energy and “can-do” attitude. I am privileged to be able to call her my friend. Doug, while new to the Village, has a planning background that can only enhance his performance as a Trustee.

The Village needs new energy on the Board. These two will provide it in spades!

Although they’ll be running on the Democratic line, we don’t view them as partisan. Rather, we see them as folks who are capable of doing consensus-building and can hopefully, by their example, inspire more of us to want to get involved in the affairs of our village.

As residents of Nyack, Jen White and Doug Foster have been energetically involved in solving the problems of their community. As Trustees they will bring to Village government their special combination of practicality and creativity.

Because I live in S. Nyack and serve as a County Legislator, I am well aware that the viability of the Nyack arts and business community is integral to the well being of all the residents of Nyack and to the whole County. Jen and Doug are exactly what Nyack needs during these challenging times.

Doug and Jen individually and collectively possess the energy, concern, business knowledge, experience and leadership skills to not only openly discuss the complex issues of governance, but to arrive at a plan of action in a democratic way, and – most importantly – to carry out that plan of action.

Each cares no less than any of the very best candidates who – over decades – had preceded them and held office. What distinguishes Doug and Jen is the innate ability to fulfill the goals, ambitions and dreams of this very special community of Nyack.

Jen White has worked tirelessly on behalf of both the Parks Conservancy and the Parks Commission for years. Her work ethic and dedication to the Village is truly amazing. She has great ideas and the Village will definitely benefit from her involvement with Village policy.

Nancy Blaker Weber