Poughkeepsie Journal from Poughkeepsie, New York • Page A5

THURSDAY, October 29, 2015 poughkeepsiejournal.com 5A Our Towns Schools Town of Union Vale election candidate profiles have been a small business owner for 25 years. I look at the benefit and cost savings with programs for the town and residents while reviewing projects and proposals for the town. What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? The town board has worked to keep spending and taxes as low as possible even with increased state and federal mandates. As a small rural town with little commercial tax base, it is a struggle to keep taxes at bay and continue to serve our residents. One of our town's biggest assets is Tymor Park.

I am very proud of Tymor and our employees that run the park. The parks department has continued to add opportunities for town residents through new programs. I have worked with the building and highway departments to find ways to improve procedures for our residents. Office sought: Union Vale Town Council Name: Corrina L. Kelley Age: 44 Occupation: RN Length of term: Four years Annual salary for the office: $5,760 Ballot lines: Union Vale United, Democratic Experience: Through my experience as a registered nurse for the past 22 years, a mother of three, and a community organizer, I have acquired the skills necessary to bring an effective, responsive, and passionate voice to the people of Union Vale.

I look forward to serving them. org Facebook: www.facebook.com corrinakelley2015 What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? The town board is responsible for the fiscal viability of town government. Taxes are out of control resulting in a 41.5 percent tax levy increase over the past four years. To address it, we need a complete review of finances and practices, and to make the changes necessary to ensure fiscal sustainability. We need a government that is representative of the people it serves.

I intend to be responsive, effective and authentic in my leadership. I will advocate for the constituents of Union Vale regardless of political affiliation, financial status, or standing within the community. Office sought: Union Vale Town Council Facebook: Union Vale United And Union Vale Democratic Committee What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? The greatest challenges facing the Union Vale highway superintendent are budgeting, communication and proper utilization of resources. I plan to use my background in construction management to oversee projects and keep them on or under budget. Communication with residents and an evaluation of roads will help to develop a one-, two- and five-year plan.

The goal being to provide and maintain the highest quality, safest possible roads for the lowest cost. I plan on being a full-time highway superintendent and feel that will be the best use of our town's resources. Office sought: Union Vale Town Clerk Name: Mary Lou DeForest Occupation: Currently hold the office of town clerk Ballot Lines: Republican and Conservative Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $43,800 Experience: Town Clerk of Union Vale for 29 years. Deputy town clerk, deputy bookkeeper, notary public, Union Vale Community Day Committee since 1975, 4-H leader for 30 years. Website: townclerkunionvaleny.us Facebook: Mary Lou DeForest What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? I am always available by appointment, evenings and weekends, to assist residents of Union Vale.

Online forms and applications are made available 24 hours a day. Maintaining services within the allotted budget: I have consistently spent less than the budgeted amount for the clerk's department while maintaining new rules and requirements set forth by New York. Helping residents get the information they need: Living in the Town of Union Vale for 63 years has given me the knowledge and experience to direct residents to the services they need or desire. Office sought: Union Vale Town Clerk Name: Margaret A. Thompson Age: 51 Occupation: Head concierge administrative assistant Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $43,800 Ballot lines: Democratic, Inde had a 41 percent tax increase over four years.

This is absurd! It can be different. I will work with the town board, department heads and residents to enforce responsible purchasing practices and eliminate wasteful spending. Free health care for part time elected officials will end. The infrastructure of the town will be addressed and a long term will follow. I will bring a much needed "breath of free air" to Union Vale.

Vote Nov. 3 Union Vale United! Office sought: Union ValeHigh-way Superintendent Name: Richard Wisseman Age: 35 Occupation: Union Vale Highway Superintendent Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $56,000 Ballot lines: Republican, Conservative Experience: Nineteen years of snow plowing years of personnel management between other landscape and construction companies, as well as my own. Eight years of highway reconstruction and repair. What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? My biggest challenges as of right now would be the harsh winters we have been dealing with. Reasons being are the price of salt, the availability of salt and the wear and tear it puts on the roads and equipment.

Other than that I have a great town board who understands that a highway department needs a good budget to get things done. Why try to fix something that's not broken? That's how I feel about my town board as well as the town clerk. Office sought: Union Vale Highway Superintendent Name: Steven Burack Age: 45 Occupation: Quality control and document control specialist Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $50,000 Ballot lines: Union Vale United and Democrat Experience: B.A. in business administration. Work experiences include management, construction, maintenance, quality and document control.

I've spent the last three years working in the medical device manufacturing industry as a quality-control and document-control specialist. The 17 years prior I worked in construction and maintenance mostly in the semiconductor industry. Website: unionvaledems.org pendenceUnion Vale United Experience: I have been an executive administrative assistant for over 20 years, including exceptional office management skills. Having been the secretary to the county executive of Westchester County for 12 years, I dealt with the public on a daily basis and I know the importance of keeping residents' personal information confidential. What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? My goal is to bring in new technology to enhance our daily operations and to extend office hours for the convenience of residents, including offering a late night.

I want to have town board meetings taped and uploaded on our website for residents who are not able to attend. The town clerk is the first person greeting residents and visitors, it would be my honor to provide them accurate, efficient and friendly service, and making sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Office sought: Union Vale Tax Collector Name: Kathleen Dunham Age: 54 Occupation: Self-employed Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $7,116 Ballot lines: Democrat and Union Vale United Experience: I studied accounting in college while bookkeeping for a local business. I currently use my strong administrative, management, and public relations skills for my baking catering business. Website: unionvaleunited.org What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? A majority of the town administrators are not accessible to residents.

I will maintain flexible office hours that make it easier for working people to accomplish their business. I would also like to modernize the system by implementing alternate payment methods, i.e. credit card and online payments. Office sought: Union Vale Town Council Name: W. Patrick Reilly Age: 53 Occupation: Small business ownerbuilder Length of term: Four years Annual salary for the office: $5,760 Ballot lines: Republican and Conservative Experience: I serve as a councilman and have been a lifelong resident of Dutchess County.

I Name: David B. McMorris Age: 69 Occupation: Semi-retired, media coordinator for the town of Union Vale, acting CIC (Constable in charge) town of Union Vale, retired from the United States Postal Service and a veteran. Length of term: Four years Annual salary for the office: $5,760 Ballot lines: Union Vale United and Democrat Experience: Constable for 20 years, set up cable television station (I have attended more town board meetings than the town board), established two non-profit corporations, studied non-profit management, grant writing, St. Joseph's Parish Council and Past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus. unionvale.webs.com Facebook: Mcmorris for Union Vale What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? With a 2 percent tax cap, over the past four years Union Vale has increased taxes 41 percent.

This is unacceptable. Our town has been reactive not proactive, they don't plan for the future. We can change this by working with department managers so we can plan in advance for the department needs and don't have to make wasteful emergency spending. Audit spending twice a year in departments, such as highway, parks and recreation, and working with a citizen's budget advisory committee we can reduce wasteful spending and accordingly reduce the tax burden on our residents. This is our home.

Office sought: Union Vale Town Council Name: Ralph J. Mondello Age: 60 Occupation: Retired New York state correction officer. Presently part-time bus driver for Arlington Central School District. Length of term: Four years Annual salary of term: $5,400 Experience: I have been on the town board for eight years. What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? Getting our town residents back into the library.

Working with the town board and the Mid-Hudson Library System to negotiate a fair contract. Working with the town board to keep the taxes minimal and promote smart growth in the town. JOURNAL STAFF Office sought: Town Of Union Vale Supervisor Name: Lisette Hitsman Age: 81 Occupation: Town supervisor, claims auditor for Millbrook Central School, owner Hitsman's Garage, volunteer position trustee of Verbank Rural Cemetery, Union Vale Fire Company Fire Police and treasurer Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $20,060 Ballot lines: Republican and Conservative Experience: I have been serving Union Vale as town supervisor since January 2000. As supervisor I have kept informed of planning board issues, ZBA issues, kept informed of the activities of the building inspectorCEO and the assessor, and participate in Community Day, Oktoberfest and the children's holiday party. What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? Challenges to a small town continue to grow each year.

We are faced with maintaining needed services to residents while balancing costs and budget. We have the town-owned property on to get developed and on the tax roll. We are always looking for grants and shared services with other towns. The state continues to add to mandated costs and now considers us a urban town and has added MS4 to the costly list of things to do. We meet challenges by working together and making the best decisions possible for the town.

Office sought: Town Of Union Vale Supervisor Name: Patricia Tompkins Age: 49 Occupation: Office manager Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $20,060 Ballot lines: Union Vale United and endorsed by Democrat; I am an NOP Experience: Office manager where I manage finances for a local company for five years with experience in quick books budgeting software. Worked in various departments of another company 27 years, Tumbling, medical and inspections, and trained as an audit team member (ISO 9001 and ISOTS 16949). What are the biggest challenges facing your town and how will you deal with them? If elected it is my responsibility to stay below the mandated tax cap. Union Vale has Rhinebeck candidate profiles needs a historical preservation law and an affordable housing program. Office sought: Rhinebeck Town Assessor Name: William McGann Ballot lines: Democratic, Reform, Republican Experience: No answer provided What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? No answer provided Office sought: Rhinebeck Town Assessor Name: Jennifer Mund Ballot lines: Democratic, Reform, Republican Experience: No answer provided What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? No answer provided Office sought: Rhinebeck Town Assessor Name: Emery Rugger Ballot lines: Democratic, Reform, Republican Experience: No answer provided What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? No answer provided.

Office Sought: Town of Rhinebeck Highway Superintendent Length of Term: Two years Annual Salary: $55,682 Name: Barry Sherrod Ballot lines: Democratic Experience: No answer provided What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? No answer provided. Office sought: Rhinebeck Town Justice Name: William Sanchez Ballot lines: Conservative, Democratic, Independence, Reform, Republican Experience: No answer provided What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? No answer accounts, and efficient utilization practices. My experience as internal auditor of New Yorkand local government, IT project manager and site administrator for a 20-plus acre former hospital campus allows for a unique perspective on the operations and finances. As a town board member, I would work to improve accountability, transparency and community engagement. I would work to improve pedestrian and bike routes, allowing safe passage between Rhinecliff and Rhinebeck as well as local attractions, including Ferncliff Forest and Burger Hill.

Office sought: Rhinebeck Town Board Length of term: Four years Annual salary for the office: $5,573 Name: Allan L. Scherr Age: 74 Occupation: Management Consultant Ballot lines: Democrat Experience: BS and Ph.D, electrical engineering and computer science, MIT. 40 years experience as a technical leader, project manager and corporate executive (IBM and EMC). Currently on the town board. For the town: overseeing projects, including updating town's computer technology, overseeing the expansion of Thompson Mazzarella Park, managing the recreation department.

Website: www.alscherr.com, www.alsleadership.com Twitter: NA Facebook: NA What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? Maintaining the character and quality of life in the Town of Rhinebeck. We are fighting large-scale gravel mining in the town. Another challenge is keeping the expenses of the town and its tax rate under control and within the tax cap. This requires careful budgeting and effective project management. I see opportunities for consolidation and sharing with the Village of Rhinebeck and neighboring towns that will improve efficiency, and we need to take advantage of these opportunities.

The town JOURNAL STAFF Office sought: Supervisor, Town of Rhinebeck Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $20,000 Name: Elizabeth Spinzia Age: 53 Occupation: Current Town Supervisor, Realtor Ballot lines: Democratic, Working Families Party Experience: I have served on the town board for four years, the last two as supervisor. My previous career was as a TV commercialfilm producer with over two decades of international experience managing multi-million dollar budgets. A local businessperson, I also have an extensive history as a community volunteer. Website: www.rhinebeckdemo- crats.org Twitter: NA Facebook: www.facebook.com What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? Delivering the quality of services that our residents expect and deserve, and maintaining our infrastructure under the tax cap continues to be challenging. We are also faced with escalating fixed costs (employee health, general liability and worker's compensation insurance rates, employee benefits, road salt, etc) and a loss of sales tax revenue from the county.

The tax cap is positive in that it makes government mindful of the tax burden to its residents and encourages savings through consolidation of services. Historically we have done this and will continue to do so both within town departments and with other municipalities. Office sought: Town Supervisor Length of term: Two years Annual salary for the office: $20,000 Name: Bruce Washburn ness Development and Marketing for NDP EMS Ballot Line: Republican Experience: I have 30 years of community involvement; six as fire chief, four as fire department president, and three on the Rhinebeck Chamber Board. I have extensive knowledge of municipal budgets, fleet management expertise, maintaining quality services in a cost effective manner and exceptional leadership skills. Website: NA Twitter: NA Facebook: www.facebook.com 506919616287872 What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? I want to ensure that safe road conditions are maintained and that we are highly responsive to new problems and issues.

I want to foster good working relationships with other highway departments, specifically the village to better share and consolidate services when possible. We need to implement a fleet and pavement management program to maximize our return on tax dollars and employ the latest standards that improve the durability of our roads and bridges. Lastly, we need to ensure our crews are properly trained and equipped so they can provide a high quality service to residents. Office sought: Rhinebeck Town Board Length of term: Four years Annual salary for the office: $5,573 Name: Edmond Roberts Age: 71 Occupation: Retired Ballot lines: Democratic Experience: I was a high school English teacher and varsity coach for 32 years, so I'm used to getting along with people of all ages and all backgrounds. I'm always willing to listen to folks no matter what political party they belong to.

I believe in compromise whenever possible. It often leads to success. Website: NA Twitter: NA Facebook: www.facebook.com ed.roberts.54 What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? The biggest challenge is preserving the rural character, environmental health and prosperity here. There is constant pressure from the outside to change us and not always for the better so we must be alert and not lose sight of what we stand for as a community. Recently, the current town board blocked large scale mining in Rhinebeck.

This is a good example of what I refer to as pressure from the outside. A second challenge is to create affordable housing in or near the village so that the folks who work here can also live here. Office sought: Town Board Length of term: Four years Annual salary for the office: $5,573 Name: Sheryl Monaco Age: 35 Occupation: Mother of two, wife and friend of many; Acadia HR: Benefits Coordinator IT Project Manager; Arbonne Independent Consultant Ballot lines: Reform and Republican Experience: A proven leader with more than 15 years experience in department and organizational management including two years with KPMG's Internal Audit state and local government clients; Volunteer for United Way's Community Investment Panel and Speaker's Bureau and Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters for 10 years Website: https:www.Nnke-din.compubsheri-monaco-pmp11435aa5 Twitter: SheriMonaco Facebook: https:www.face-book.comSheri4RBK What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? Rhinebeck's challenges include the ease of accessing information and town Age: 62 Occupation: Consultant, (Retired from IBM) Ballot lines: Republican, Reform, Independence, Conservative Experience: Town of Rhinebeck Councilman (8 years), deputy supervisor (6 years), townvillage committees (11 years); town board's "Voice of Reason" and "Numbers Guy" organizational management: private sector (30 years), not-for-profit (19 years), multi-million dollar budget responsibility (30 years) Rhinebeck Soccer Club (19 years), American Legion, Lion's Club Website: www.penspicks.com Bruce Twitter: NA Facebook: www.facebook.com What are the biggest challenges facing your town county and how will you deal with them? Efficiency: Restore good relationships with community organizations to best share services; foster measurable efficiency through true cost accounting; leverage technology and benchmarks to streamline workflows. Ease of doing business: Measure and tune satisfaction with town services; accept online forms, complaints and suggestions. Accountability: Regularly review department plans, finances, accomplishments; restore accurate and timely financial reporting.

Aging infrastructure: Implement viable capital and preventative maintenance plans; deploy standards and training for employees. Quality of life: Increase focus on seniors, affordability and working in Rhinebeck; update comprehensive plan with recent economic, environmental, demographic, safety and transportation data then adjust peripherals accordingly. Office Sought: Town of Rhinebeck Highway Superintendent Length of Term: Two years Annual Salary: $55,682 Name: Kyle Eighmy Age: 48 Occupation: Director of Busi.