Issues in Detail

Position on Fire Department Issues
Position of Police Department Issues (coming soon)

The Environment, Parkland and Open Space
When the City's Comprehensive Planning Committee mailed out a survey asking residents their opinion regarding the importance of preserving open space and the environment, nearly 80% gave it the highest rating of any category.  I completely agree! Preserving our unique natural resources, making Mount Beacon accessible to hikers, walking the Fishkill Creek and enjoying the Hudson River have all been goals I have actively worked on during my ten years on the City Council. Here are some examples of my efforts:

1. Organized the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society

2. Supported and voted to be part of the Greenway Plan

3. Supported Scenic Hudson's Madam Bret Trail at the Hudson

4. Responsible for establishing the Scenic Hudson Gateway to Mt. Beacon Park

5. Advocate for a continuous trail along the entire Beacon length of the Fishkill Creek and to preserve the natural vistas.

6. Actively working to restore the Tioronda Bridge and in strong support for it to be a single lane pedestrian walkway across the Fishkill Creek.

7. Supporter of the Beacon Institute, The Scenic Hudson Conference Center at Long Dock, the Beacon Sloop Club and trails at Dennings Point.

8. Supporter of the Hiddenbrook Park purchase and the acquisition of the University Settlement Camp as a Beacon Recreational Center.

Note: One of the important reports from the Comprehensive Plan Review of 2007 is the Cost of Services Study. The report concludes that most residential development is a net loss of revenue to the city. This fact supports the long debated argument that preserving open space is more cost effective for the city than building homes.

Residential Development
I am opposed to over development.  I fear Beacon can be at a tipping point where over population can diminish  quality of life.  The city should make every attempt to acquire most of the few remaining large properties for open space (Hiddenbrook and University Settlement Camp).  The Cost of Services Study described above supports these acquisitions. For the few remaining large properties that are kept in private hands, I will advocate the zoning be an average of 1/2 acre per lot. That will help keep home prices affordable and not place a drain on our services. When appropriate I will look towards requiring clustering to preserve natural land attributes, scenic vistas and recreational areas.

The fact is there was less support in the Comprehensive Plan Survey for new residential development than any other category (only 50-60% felt it was "important", and they preferred 1/2 to 1 acre of land).

Over the last ten years I have supported preserving Beacon's quality of life in our neighborhoods.  The plan was zoning the greatest density around Main Street. The further from Main, the larger the lot sizes. I was a member of the Council in 1996 when we banned two family conversions to save the city from rapid overpopulation. I believe these efforts have protected Beacon and kept its village type appeal.

Main Street Development
Nearly 70% of our residents regarded Main Street as "important".  Interestingly, when asked "what are the three things you would like to change about Beacon, the highest on the list was Main Street loitering, improving blighted buildings and more Police Protection.

I have always believed people judge a city by it's main street. Since our economy is based on visitors enjoying our shops, galleries and restaurants, Beacon's Main Street must be a fully enjoyable experience.  More police presence on Main Street is imperative. During my ten years on Council, I have gone on record in support of the following suggestions. In part, through my involvement in the Comprehensive Plan process, many of these ideas are incorporated into the Plan:

1. Supported DIA, the Scenic Hudson Longdock Conference Center and the Beacon Institute. Combined they increase Main Street tourism.

2. Improved methods to bring visitors from the train station and DIA up to Main Street

3. Support local improvement agencies such as BACA and the BBA.

4. Support the establish of a Main Street Development Committee to evaluate Main Street needs and help plan solutions.

5. Bring back the Police foot patrol and bicycle patrol.

6. Support State and County Economic Development Zones and improvement plans.

7. Offer tax incentives to encourage the removal and rebuilding of non-descript building in the "transition zone" between Teller and Elms street where the two villages joined.

8. Increase residential density on and surrounding Main Street, to provide for a Main Street customer base not dependant upon visitors.