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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Trustee Candidates Want to End Conflict, Fix Roads
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| The trustee candidates, left to right, Andrew Argenio, Mark Edsall, Douglas Vatter and Jan Smith. |
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| The candidates spoke in front of a standing-room only audience. |
March 05, 2011
The four candidates running for two trustee seats in the village of Cornwall-on-Hudson only had a few minutes to describe their goals and qualifications but they took full advantage of their moment in the spotlight at Friday evening’s candidates forum sponsored by The Cornwall Local.
Each candidate spoke in the order they will appear on the ballot in the March 15th election: challenger Andrew Argenio, incumbents Mark Edsall and Douglas Vatter, followed by challenger Jan Smith. They described their ties to the community and the experiences they have had in their careers that qualify them to lead the village. (You can read more of their biographical information in the Candidates Statements here.)
In the second part of their presentation, Cornwall Local editor Ken Cashman asked them what concerns village voters had shared with them. Andrew Argenio said that people he spoke with are disappointed by the current financial state and overspending on lawyers, as well as by the level of contention in village government. He talked about his plan for what he calls “climate change,” that would focus the board on issues the trustees can agree on rather than those they don’t. “We don’t have to be miserable and disagree, “ he said.
Mark Edsall, who has served 12 years on the board of trustees, spoke of people’s concerns with taxes, debt and providing input. He recalled how he and former trustee William Fogarty undertook a debt reduction plan five years ago that has made progress in paying down the debt. Edsall pointed out that when the board is arguing about who is the attorney or when professional service providers aren’t paid, little progress on other issues can be made.
Fellow incumbent trustee Douglas Vatter said that what he is hearing on the street is a plea to “make it stop” and added that if he knew how to, he would, a reference to the dissonance that has brought the work of the current board to a standstill. He went on to talk about how most people basically want to see the roads plowed and the potholes filled. “Why it has to be this complex escapes me,” he said, “I will work with anyone to make it operate correctly.”
Finally, candidate Jan Smith said that people have told her they hate that nothing is being accomplished in the village despite meetings that last for four and five hours. She then spoke about concerns with money and taxes, two areas where the retired accountant has experience. Older people say they can’t afford to live in the village, she said, but younger families with kids who move in will strain our school system. She ended with a pledge to work together with her fellow board members if elected.
Moderator Cashman then asked what infrastructure projects the village should tackle next. All four candidates mentioned road maintenance and Jan Smith pointed to the water supply and concerns about the Kiryas Joel pipeline project. Mark Edsall said that the village water supply, with its three separate sources, is in better shape than most communities. Andrew Argenion reiterated his interest in expanding the riverfront park.
With the time up for the trustee discussion, the audience took a break and waited for the next segment, the mayoral candidate debate.
The village election will be held on March 15th.
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