Amenia Candidate Profiles 2009

AMENIA

Name: Gary Bonds

Position running for,
term length:
Town Supervisor, two years

Political party: Republican, running as a write-in
candidate

Age: 72

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 18

Occupation: AT&T marketing administrator and systems analyst (retired), town of Amenia water treatment operator, town of Amenia videographer

Marital status, children: Married to Maureen, four
children, three grandchildren

Names of boards served on during last five years: Town of Amenia Emergency Response, Public Access coordinator, Amenia Elementary School Acquisition Task Force

 Editor’s note: Bonds answered both questions with a single response.

Explain what you think is the biggest issue facing your town and how you plan to address that once in office. What kind of role can you play in helping to revitalize the town?

Although there are several issues facing the town of Amenia, including the construction of a highway garage and salt shed and the cleanup of the old Amenia Landfill, I consider the Amenia Elementary School acquisition to be the most critical.

Study Reports from NYSERDA and Eco-systems Strategies, Inc., must be carefully reviewed to resolve essential issues based on their findings. Immediate research is necessary to establish repair costs; maintenance costs to upgrade existing plumbing, boilers and heating system to meet environmental standards and to accommodate potential businesses in the building.

We have recently learned that a (SEQRA) State Environmental Quality Review Act study must be performed, as well as a property survey.

The residents of Amenia have the right to know the itemized costs, as they will be directly paying the costs through their taxes. The current administration has not been forthcoming with those costs.

Although we can consider future grants to subsidize these costs, we must address the crucial recommendations made by the professionals and then take action accordingly.

In my opinion, an upgrade to the town’s water system using the monies in the Capital Improvement Fund and working with the Wastewater Agency would revitalize the town, and encourage the creation of new businesses in our community.

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Name: Wayne Euvrard
(Incumbent)

Position running for,
term length:
Town Supervisor, two years

Political party: Republican, also endorsed by Working Families Party

Age: 62

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 62

Occupation: Owner and operator of Roaring Oaks Florist and Clock Tower Travel in Sharon, Conn., retired New York state corrections officer

Marital status, children: Married to Cami Euvrard

Names of boards served
on during last five years: Town of Amenia supervisor, Amenia Town Council

Explain what you think is the biggest issue facing your town and how you plan to address that once in office.

 First is a new Town Hall. Thankfully, the Webutuck voters approved giving the Amenia Elementary School to the town to use as a Town Hall. We have completed an energy report and an environmental study. I will work with the Town Board and the Task Force to gather facts, do a required SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) and listen to the concerns of the residents.

Second is wastewater. I have been working with the committee, Silo Ridge and Dutchess County Wastewater for this much-needed project. The only way downtown Amenia will become a thriving business again is with a sewer.

Third is the highway garage/salt shed. This is a real priority and I am working diligently to find a new location for our Highway Department.

What kind of role can you play in helping to revitalize the town?

For the 2009 budget, I knew sales tax and mortgage tax revenues would be down and I budgeted accordingly and the town is in good shape even in this economy. With grantwriter Mike Hagerty’s help, we received a $480,000 TEP grant, the largest Amenia was ever awarded, for the Rail Trail extension into Wassaic. Besides the recreational benefit, this will promote badly needed jobs and work toward being business friendly for the Wassaic hamlet.

Also, I have worked diligently with the Planning Board and Silo Ridge to move this important project forward. Silo Ridge is viewed as an economic stimulus that will create over 1,200 full-time and part-time permanent jobs and will be a major tax contributor for Amenia, Webutuck School and Dutchess County.

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Name: Victoria
Perotti (Incumbent)

Position running for,
term length:
Town Council, four years

Political party: Republican

Age: 63

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 17

Occupation: Contract coordinator for United Healthcare

Marital status, children: Divorced, four children, Kelly Galgano, Terry Perotti, Stephen Perotti, Anthony Perotti

Names of boards served on during last five years: Amenia Town Council

Explain what you think is the biggest issue facing your town and how you plan to address that once in office.

The biggest issue is trying to balance the needs of the town of Amenia and trying to keep taxes affordable for everyone. I will continue to investigate all grant opportunities as well as continue to look at ways we can save money through more efficient use of accounting software. In addition, I will keep our legislators aware of our needs, especially when we are looking to find available money, for example, for upgrading our water district infrastructure.

There are many opportunities for energy efficiency grants, especially through NYSERDA, now that we have done an energy audit for the Amenia Elementary School. Furthermore, shared services with other towns will be investigated to stem the reduction of volunteers for the rescue squads for Amenia and Wassaic.

What kind of role can you play in helping to revitalize the town?

Town government is run by the Town Board (council) as the executive, administrative and legislative body of the town. Councilmen as elected officials of a Town Board enact local laws regarding subjects within the realm of property, affairs and government of the town, provided that the laws are not inconsistent with the Constitution or a law enacted by the state Legislature, such as competitive bidding, open meetings, ethics. When a councilman votes on a proposal before the Town Board, he or she is representing, through that vote, the views of all of the residents of the town. This means a high personal responsibility rests on the individual councilman. I take this responsibility very seriously and try very hard to make the right decision for all of the taxpayers using all information available.

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Name: Henry E.
Pollinger

Position running for,
term length:
Town Council, four years

Political party:
Non-enrolled, endorsed by Democratic Party

Age: 34

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 34

Occupation: English teacher at Webutuck High School

Marital status, children: Single

Names of boards served on during last five years: None

Explain what you think is the biggest issue facing your town and how you plan to address that once in office.

The biggest issue in the town of Amenia is growth. Amenia is at a crossroads. We are talking about waste water, planned Silo Ridge development and various other projects in the works. I think it is important that we really examine how and how much we want to grow. Should we take our time in order to figure out what makes the least amount of impact on our small, wonderful community? Should we discuss and hear both sides of the issue in regards to proposed development? What do the citizens see as the plan for Amenia? We need to learn how to grow smart!

What can you do to revitalize the economy of your town?

I think to bring economic opportunity to Amenia we have to think about what we have currently. How can we bring those who enjoy our beautiful Rail Trail into stores and shops along Route 343? How can we have a wastewater facility that (1) has the least environmental impact and (2) is cost effective?

Revitalization takes planning. What plans are on the table? Again, what do we need to do in order to maintain the beauty of this town?

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Name: Darlene Riemer

Position running for,
term length:
Town Council, four years

Political party: Republican, cross-endorsed by Democratic

Age: 64

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 37

Occupation: Principal Architect, Darlene S. Riemer, Architect, P.C.

Marital status, children: Married to Robert, two grown children

Names of boards served on during last five years: Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee (CPIC), Wastewater Committee, chair, Fountain Square Committee, Business Incentive Review Committee (485 b)

Explain what you think is the biggest issue facing your town and how you plan to address that once in office.

Waste water — Amenia cannot grow without it. The Wastewater Committee has shepherded the process to allow us to be in a position to apply for “stimulus package monies.� But there is more to do, and as a Town Council member, I will work with developers here and now, and with those who will be sure to follow, to get an affordable wastewater system for Amenia. Affordability is the key, for elderly residents to keep their homes and to provide jobs for our young people. I have a vision of what Amenia can be, and look forward to the challenge.

What kind of role can you play in helping to revitalize the town?

As a Town Board member, I will investigate ways to attract businesses. One would be creating awareness of the 485b business incentive for businesses, either locating here, or expanding existing shops, to qualify for tax abatements. We have to actively recruit businesses — we need to find out what their needs are; how can we benefit by their locating here? Will they create some career-oriented jobs for young people? I view the future in a comprehensive way — what creates the desire to locate here? What type of business will make the town a better place, now? Will it be mutually beneficial?

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Name: Maureen Bonds
(Incumbent)

Position running for, term length: Town Clerk, two years

Political party: Republican

Age: 63

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 18

Occupation: AT&T benefits supervisor (retired), Village of Millerton clerk/treasurer (1991 to 1995), Amenia town clerk (2008 to present)

Marital status, children: Married, four stepchildren, three grandchildren

Names of boards served on during last five years: None

Editor’s note: Bonds
answered both questions
with a single response.

Explain what the position you’re seeking does and why that job is important to the town. What kind of role can you play in helping to revitalize the town?

In the position of town clerk for the past two years, and with the knowledge of working in a municipal environment for seven years, I have been able to manage the town clerk’s office in a dedicated, organized and professional manner.

My background in business administration at AT&T, writing municipal grant applications as village clerk for the village of Millerton, and managing municipal budgets and payroll have allowed me to apply this experience as town clerk.

Based on comments from the residents, I have met their needs successfully, and I have acted as a conduit to the Town Board members, namely having Town Board minutes available for their review, to enable them to attend to important issues before the next scheduled meeting. Excellent rapport with the staff in the supervisor’s office has allowed both offices to coordinate necessary action to matters that effect town policy.

As secretary to the town of Amenia Seniors Board, and assistant to the town videographer, I have been able to inform the citizens of community events and promote participation in these activities.

I have learned that duties as town clerk are diversified, not only in performing the daily tasks, but also requiring timely response to sensitive matters.

When elected, I promised to have an “open door� policy, with a business-friendly atmosphere. My commitment remains the same, and I would be honored to continue to serve as town clerk.

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Name: Dawn Marie Klingner

Position running for, term length: Town Clerk, two years

Political party: Democratic

Age: 32

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 27

Occupation: Court clerk, administrative assistant to the supervisor, paralegal

Marital status, children: Married to Christopher, two children, Zachary and Karlie

Names of boards served
on during last five years: Treasurer/secretary to the Amenia Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners, Webutuck Central School District PTA secretary, vice president of the Dutchess County Court Clerks Association, county representative to the New York State Magistrate and Court Clerks Association

Explain what the position you’re seeking does and why that job is important to the town.

The town clerk’s office is frequently considered the center of town government and the primary source of information on a daily basis. As town clerk I will be attending meetings of the Town Board and keeping a complete and accurate record of the proceedings. The town clerk is a commissioner of licenses such as marriage, dog and sporting licenses; and disability parking permits. The town clerk serves as the registrar for vital statistics for the issuance and filing of birth and death certificates. As prescribed by law the town clerk is the records officer managing the records and documents that are important to the lives of the town.

What kind of role can you play in helping to revitalize the town?

The town clerk’s office serves as the hub for the community by providing the public with information both in person and over the telephone. I believe a town clerk has to be available to the residents of the town on a regular basis. I will make sure that the town clerk’s office has convenient hours so that picking up a hunting pass or transfer station permit doesn’t become a burden for you. I’ll be available to answer your questions. This is our town and together we’ll make the Amenia Town Hall work for everyone!

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Name: Michael
Delango

Position running for,
term length:
Town Justice, four years

Political party: Democratic

Age: 37

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 10

Occupation: Owns and
operates Delango Automotive

Marital status, children: Married to Larissa, daughter Mia, 2

Names of boards served on during last five years: None

Editor’s note: Delango
answered both questions
with a single response.

Explain what the position you’re seeking does and why that job is important to the town. What kind of role can you play in helping to revitalize the town?

As town justice I would like to start a community service program within the town to promote accountability for someone who breaks the law. I feel this will act as a deterrent and help people take responsibility for their actions. I would make myself available for any and all public service activities that would promote the understanding and the functions of the town court, i.e., speaking to students about the importance of their roll in a law-abiding community. I have the willingness, time and ability to do the job for you.

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Name: James J. Devine
(Incumbent)

Position running for,
term length:
Town Justice, four years

Political party: Republican

Age: 71

Town: Amenia

Years lived in town: 38

Occupation: Retired,
James J. Devine Graphics Inc.

Marital status, children: Married to Miriam, three
children, six grandchildren

Names of boards served on during last five years: Amenia Town Council, Town of Amenia justice

Editor’s Note: Devine
declined to respond
to the other questions
asked in our survey.