CURRENT ISSUES AFFECTING OUR COMMUNITY

LAKE LUCILLE - Residents are encouraged to maintain contact with the Lake Lucille Board - Mr. Barry Carl, President - whom with Ed has already met with and discussed the compelling issues you are facing. He has already commenced a series of meetings designed to address these concerns directly or to assist in any way via County intercession.

UPDATE: Ed is working with Senator Tom Morahan to secure that the promised $225,000 additional funding from the DEC will be released. That will reduce the outstanding debt of the Lake Lucille homeowner by about 50% !

Additionally, after months of frustration and stalled efforts within the legislature to identify and address the issues of external waterway influences on Lake Lucille, Ed put into place the beginnings of a working action committee of County, Town, and Lake Lucille residents, with the goal of creating a water management documentand to identify and move on waterway remediation as rapidly as possible.

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CONDOS AT HERITAGE DRIVE - There are ongoing discussions regarding the issue of drainage and flooding being conducted under the auspices of the Condo Board. Be assured that Ed has, and will continue to maintain contact and assist wherever possible. Again, Ed emphasizes that maintaining contact directly with your Board is imperative so you are kept up to date.

UPDATE: Ed has stood shoulder to shoulder with representatives of the New City Condos at various Town Board meetings affecting the Bradlees' Shopping Center proposal, nearby zoning issues, and attempting to  reconfigure the New City Post Office parking lot, which due to the original poorly planned layout cannot be reversed now. However, Ed was able to get two 2008 capital projects established for North Main Street, one which will identify locations for mid lane medians and the other to establish actual crosswalks. He is also working with Town Councilman Frank Borrelli, the County, and State Senator Morahan to look to esatblish a traffic device where the Condo's and Post Office exits meet.

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NEW HEMPSTEAD ROAD CORRIDOR - Ed has already held discussions with the County Highway Department, the lead agency for the project. The actual configuration is finally taking shape, and the matter of an access road leading out of the County Complex is being addressed to ensure that residents are not unnecessarily impacted by that road. A meeting sponsored by Ed and Legislator Gerry Bierker will be scheduled shortly, with the primary focus on input the FROM AFFECTED RESIDENTS who reside in our respective districts in this area. The notice will be sent out by the County Highway Department, and Ed has made it clear that constituents should not be inconvenienced by traveling to Pomona as previously done. He fully expects the meeting to be held nearby within this community.

+++ IMPORTANT NOTICE - The proposed Access Road has been formally WITHDRAWN by the County Executive on October 16th, and on a motion made by Ed, the full legislature unanimously voted to WITHDRAW the project from consideration.

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FAA AIR SPACE PLAN - Ed already has spoken out and voted against what he called at the July 3rd session of the Legislature as an "air attack on the people of Rockland." He voted against this plan, and is attending public meetings to further voice his oppositon on behalf of this community. He has challenged ALL of our congressional representatives to do something more than issue press releases, but rather vote to hold off ANY FAA funding until a plan that respects this County is submitted. The fact is that our federal officials knew of this plan over a year ago and did NOTHING until Legislator Pat Withers happened upon  an FAA public meeting in New Jersey of all places where this plan was being presented. "The people moved to Rockland, not Cedarhurst Long Island, for a reason, one being some sense of tranquility devoid of aircraft a few thousand feet overhead", said Ed, adding that "I want our federal government officials to be pit bulls on this matter, bite and hold onto the leg of the FAA until they do the right thing."

Two rallys held in Rockland are starting to get a lot of attention. Ed spoke at both events, again demanding assistance from our federally elected officials, and now Congressman Engel has proposed limiting funding to the FAA until this matter is rectified.

And ... in response to a disappointing press release issued by Senator Schumer who suggested simply maintaining a 10,000 foot altitide over Rockland, but let the 600 planes a day come anyway, Ed repeated his demand that effective work, not lip service be done by our representatives in Congress.  The fact is that this "idea", if overlaid on the alleged need to bring aircraft over the area, would result in "dive bomber" approaches by commercial aircraft. Silly and not helpful.

Ed is not going to let this issue die, as he acknowledged Congressman Engel and called upon Senator Schumer to be less visible in the papers and more heloful in the Senate when he spoke to this issue again at the September 19th legislative meeting.

UPDATE: The amendment, which passed unanimously and was offered by Congressman Engel September 20th,  would require the General Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, to compare the effectiveness of the FAA's plan with other plans to relieve air travel delays. This strategy may have serious merit.

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MTA FUNDING -

Rocklanders conveyed $17 million dollars more than received from the MTA just in sales and mortgage taxes alone in 2006, and to put that amount in perspective, that is one third of ALL County property taxes collected. There has been much lip service and a lot of promises, but the time for the MTA to firmly quantify and commit to baseline spending each and every year has come. With $86 million dollars conveyed to the MTA over and above what we received just in the last 10 years, I characterized their recently announced “service enhancements” as “bought, paid for, and long overdue”.

I want the MTA to formally identify, moving forward, a specific plan of investment and value that will be conveyed, or we will move to withdraw from the MTA. Particularly in these tight fiscal times, we can no longer be treated like the stepchild with a bank account.

 
COUNTY CONTRACTS - At the September 5th, 2006 legislative meeting, two "routine" matters came across Ed's desk for a "routine" vote. One was a 3 million dollar transporation contract for handicapped children, and the other a 125 thousand dollar contract for pre-school intervention programs. Sounds like laudatory matters, but Ed's review revealed that NINE companies accepted the bid paperwork for the 3 million dollar contract, but only ONE submitted a bid ... Essentially, a "formality" that lacked something very important in bid work ... Any comparison.

The other contract? Well, Ed took the time to attempt to find out about the company. There was only one problem; The paperwork submitted to the legislature only had a name on it. Ed queried numerous databases and NOT ONE produced this company name.

Ed formally requested that the Department of Purchasing survey the eight companies that did not bid for one simple, businesslike reason; Ensuring the integrity of the process and the expenditure of taxpayers money. One would think that government would like to know exactly why only one company is bidding on a job. He also formally requested full information on the company that was listed in "name only" on the legislatures' paperwork.

Hearings will be ongoing through the year to ensure the MTA comes up with specific funding plans reflective of a true partnership.

And, at the March 20th meeting of the Legislature, a request to cover a cost overrun came by Ed, and he immediately saw a potential shortcoming. It appears that the County may have been less than aggressive in exactly what was expected of the vendor, Verizon. Ed questioned the scope of work, expected time line for said work, and potential redress from the vendor as opposed to the taxpayers. 

UPDATE: County Purchasing is now routinely surveying bid processes that return only a single bid. In one incident where there was an inference that the County may be the victim of a bidding scheme, Ed was one of only three legislators who voted against the contract. 

Ed also requested a recapitulation of exactly what language and detail is contained in agreements with vendors who do business with the County.

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APPOINTMENTS TO THE LEGISLATURE - The matter came up again at the January 3rd meeting of the Legislature, where the vacant Legislative District #12 seat of former Legislator Jaffe was "up". Ed had said before that he believed very strongly in special elections, as the appointment process has been abused to the point where there is no longer any public confidence in it anymore. As events unfolded, that became even more painfully obvious.

Mr. Joseph Meyers was the near unanimous selection of the legislative district #12 Democratic committee, which had been used as the "rationale" for every recent appointment. For some reason known only to the political players, suddenly this process was "no good" anymore ... Translation - the power brokers did not like the outcome. So, another candidiate was offered, a Mr. Patrick Withers. 

Well, the events unfolded as follows: Mr. Meyers name was placed in nomination, and every imaginable story was turned to make it seem that this nomination by a legitimate committee was somehow "different". So after countless appointments, based on what was held up as the fully legitimate process by the majority Democratic Party, the vote went the entire opposite way with Mr. Meyers, and he was not appointed. Ed said during his vote that he "while he expected the majority party to abide by this alleged legitimate process, he would not be surprised if it did not", and regardless, he voted "No" on the appointment, due "not to the candidate, but rather because of a broken process".

Immediately after the vote failed, Legislator Bruce Levine moved to have the next nomination for Mr. Withers tabled, ostensibly for a special election. The fact that Mr. Levine was a strong Meyers supporter made it clear the reason for tabling was not to have an election, because if that was the motivation, that motion should have been made BEFORE ANY votes were cast for ANY candidiate. Ed would not be a party to that charade, and neither he, nor any other legislator opposed to an appointment, such as Legislator Dusenenko, would either.

Mr. Withers nomination went forward for a vote, and in one of his most difficult votes, Ed said that while he considered Mr. Withers, who was also a former member of the NYPD, as "family" and a "brother", he again had to maintain his integrity and belief by voting "No". Ed said that "This legislature broke this process two years ago, it is now totally spoiled and without merit. The Legislature has to get right with the people", noting that the "Democratic County Chairman (Vince Monte), Mr. Meyers, and Mr. Withers all supported a special election". Ed closed his "NO" vote out with a stirring comment that said it all, "My God, what are we afraid of here, the will of the people?"

Ed simply says that this process is no longer about the quality of the candidates, and fully acknowledged that both Mr. Meyers and Mr. Withers are committed, quality people. The process is now completely despoiled by politics, and not about "the people". He feels that this Legislature MUST prove itself anew to the people by restablishing trust via the ballot box, not political machinery.

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BRADLEES SHOPPING CENTER DEVELOPMENT - Ed attended the initial presentation last month, and largely due to the good work of some very dedicated town officials, the early application looks very promising. But much more work needs to be done. As your Legislator, Ed wants YOU to hear the details and get YOUR input. After that, he want to see this get done. Ed encourages his neighbors to make their own judgments and not be swayed by others with their own agendas. As he promised during his campaign, Ed will make every effort to attend these and other critical meetings at the Town level.

UPDATE: Believe it or not, it has been announced that ALL site plan approvals have been accomplished by the various Town Boards, and the developer is expected to commen construction this spring ! Ed thanks all those citizens who joined him at the numerous Town meetings that helped to get this project off the boards and continue the effort to revitalize and beautify our community.

ADDENDUM - In response to inquiries from Ed, Supervisor Gromack recently adivised that the "holdup" of the development that was slated for this spring has been due to two items. First, a lawsuit filed by SuperValue gasoline distributor to stop the gas pump and kiosk from being installed at the site (SUIT WAS DISMISSED-July '07), and secondly, "Stop and Shop" shrinking the "footprint" of the store by  a couple of thousand square feet, necessitating some new filings with the Town Planning Board. Supervisor Gromack advises that the commencement of construction (a timetable which is entirely in the developer's hands)is Spring '08.

"WHITE GATE" PROPERTY ( West side, Route 304 opposite Davies' Farm) - Ed attended a meeting sponsored by concerned citizens to be held on Monday, January 23rd, 7:30 PM @ the Town Hall Auditorium. There has been a lot of dialogue, some of it seemingly a bit confrontational, about the future of this 22 acre parcel in North New City. Residents have reported that the developer has indicated that if he does not get the development he desires, he will make application for a trailer park, car wash, and storage facility. Residents are urged to attend, and Ed will be there to ensure the residents of his District are both heard and treated fairly.

UPDATE: The development that was "threatened" fell hard at that meeting, once Ed informed the applicant that ANY proposal must also go to the County Planning Department for approval, where Ed assured him that it would be reviewed appropriately by both Planning and your Legislator ! Already, we are seeing more good news, as a respected local builder, CalMart Enterprises, has secured 5 acres for their new offices 

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PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN -  I am proud of both my long involvement in teaching our children about the tools necessary to maintain their own personal safety and having been the primary sponsor of a law establishing “Sex Offender Free Zones”, a statute that has provided an added edge to law enforcement’s efforts to protect our children and families. I am heartened that we also have neighboring counties emulating this law.

But we need to recognize that here is another ‘playground’ pedophiles increasingly use, and it is found wherever there is a personal computer with internet access. We must be up to the task of staying ahead of these perverts who would defile our children, and must recognize that this type of criminal is the most cunning and devious criminal known to the justice system, as they are the only criminal known to fashion their own life around potential and future victims; our children.

Our law enforcement professionals do yeoman’s work in tracking down these perverts who would defile our children, and often are up against all odds due to geography, jurisdiction, and the anonymity afforded by the Internet.

I have proposed that the County investigate the acquisition of the cutting edge “Child Exploitation Tracking System” software, also known as CETS. It is a system just coming to the United States, and it is best described as a “predator drone”. Launched in Toronto in 2004, it connects law enforcement agencies world wide, immediately breaks down jurisdictional obstacles, and rapidly identifies and matches up the smallest bit of information to other cases being investigated. It saves time, money, and most importantly, brings a rapid, effective strategy that can identify and arrest individuals before they victimize a child.

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OLD ROUTE 304 CORRIDOR - NORTH NEW CITY - The issue of flooding, drainage, and stream remediation will continue to be a "front burner" item. Ed has, and will continue to work with both the County Drainage agency and Town DEC, and do his part in ensuring a seamless approach to projects that will have a positive impact on your quality of life. Additionally, Ed has not forgotten that the issue of the closed gas station on Christie Drive is STILL an issue. While we all realize that the matter is very dated, and maybe not much can be done, our community was affected, and Ed will endeavor to do whatever possible to right the situation.

UPDATE: Hard work has finally paid off as funding for the work in the Demarest Kill in and around Cranford Drive has been released, and increased funding has been secured from the County to Clarkstown for this project. Ed has also moved to ensure that the gas station, now in tax deliquency, gets no wiggle room during the proceedings and has been in constant contact with residents and state agencies in an effort to finally bring the matter to a close for our community. More to come on this ! 

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NEW CITY HAMLET REVITALIZATION - Ed has already conferred with a number of town officials, along with residents and business people. The bottom line is that this project needs to move forward as rapidly as possible. We all see the blight that is fast becoming the unfortunate "hallmark" of our community. This must be turned around quickly, and he will do everything in his power at the County level to support our Town Supervisor. Ed has also secured the full assurance that our County Executive, Scott Vanderhoef, who will continue to be a partner in this matter. Ed will continue to maintain a joint, focused approach designed to get the job done.

UPDATE: Recently, Ed joined his neighbors as the final plans for the of downtown New City were unveiled, and they are available at the Town Planning Department if any citizen wishes to see them. Ed, who served on the sub committee, worked side by side with citizen volunteers from the residential and business community on this Town project, and all have been assured by Supervisor Gromack that a 2008 commencement is likely.

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TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE DEVELOPMENT - I will work diligently with my colleagues in the Legislature and the County Executive in efforts to move the matter of the Tappan Zee Bridge forward. While the DOT and the NYS Thruway Authority squabble over issues such as whose offices will be housed where, there is a continuation of very expensive “finger in the dyke” work going on. It is not comforting to hear the DOT commissioner say that the bridge “is sound, but not a sound as I would like it to be”. FUNDING OF "PARADES" - When the new kid on the block challenges the system, the system lashes out. My challenge to the uncontrolled manner where we have been spending money, in general, and with respect to parades and festivals in particular, has brought out a hate filled diatribe from those “in the system”.

With no knowledge of me, my position, my background, or what the process is, a local politicians' response to what was an intelligent dialogue in the legislature about taxpayer spending, which he was not present for, was to throw out the hate card. I can understand his lack of appreciation for the thousands of dollars our taxpayers spend to fund these events, which he categorized as “chicken feed”, especially in light of the fact that during his eight years as a Haverstraw Councilman, this politico fiddled while the Mirant issue burned, never taking even one proactive step to stave off the pending crisis that is now upon us.

This is a simple matter; When I first ran for office in 2005, I criticized the funding of cultural parades by taxpayers, not because of any culture, but because of an uncapped process that, as Legislator Roman Rodriguez stated, “Once you start giving to one organization, you can’t prevent another from getting the same amount.” The weak response then was “We should change that during the next budget process; we cannot stop in midstream because it is not fair.” 

Last fall, I sponsored a hearing before our Public Safety Committee that covered issues of bridge safety, traffic management, and other community concerns. After assurances at that time that all was fine, it was announced three months that another $20 million was needed to repair approximately 2000 deteriorations, some measuring 1 by 3 feet in size, beneath the bridge structure.

Issues of bridge safety and the future development of the Tappan Zee Bridge affect all of us here in this community. It is imperative that the Thruway Authority remain vigilant in it maintenance and repair schedule, and that the future of the Tappan Zee Bridge reflect the needs and desires of this community. I will do my utmost to ensure just that.

Well, that budget process came and went with no change to the law. Then it was determined that “parades” cannot be funded unless it is a legal patriotic observance, so this year they called it “a music festival”. The rationale offered by legal counsel was that “we are only funding the “festival” part, not the “parade” part. How fast can you say square peg in a round hole? Of course, the response again was that we should change it next year.

So the beat goes on, and you keep paying for what is essentially a political patronage game. Keeping the system unchanged, you see, grants power to the seated legislator as groups come to him or her for money, and that group gets cultivated for the next election. And where do you, the average citizen, fit into all this? Just a bit lighter in the pocket and a bit more disenfranchised.

Well, I don’t roll, I don’t scare well, and I won’t play that game with my neighbor’s money. And I keep my campaign pledges. So I stood alone and voted no. Unpopular for sure, but the right thing to do. Not just for a statement, but for a change in this process, for the following morning I submitted legislation to change the way we do business. If the people want to have these events funded, create a budget line, and do not take the money from emergency funds, which is what is done now.

As I said in the legislative meeting, which my critics chose not to hear, is I am absolutely fine with the funding of cultural events as long as it is done in an up front, open, responsible manner, reflective of the desires of all our taxpayers.

My legislation will also better identify the good programs available to help our citizens and ensure that money conveyed to these organizations is spent to the betterment of our community. We should assess all these contract agencies anew, and ensure that their services are still serving stated goals and are not duplicated elsewhere in government. Again, something I pledged to do when I ran for office last fall.

What I hear from my neighbors of all political and ethnic persuasion is they need help. They cannot control the day to day expenses soaring out of sight, such as gasoline, utilities, and interest rates. They have the right to expect discipline from their elected officials when it comes to spending their money.

For the record, and in my only response to the petty officials quoted recently, I pledge to treat all these events equally by not voting to fund any cultural parades or festivals from here on in until this Legislature deals with this matter in the more direct manner often promised but yet not done. Someone has to stand up; Someone has to say no; This has got to stop. And I will do everything in my power to look out for you.

OUR ENVIRONMENT - The most common denominator in our community is the environment we all share. In respect of that reality, I have submitted initiatives to County government so we raise our own bar when it comes to being sensitive to our environment.

However, we must never lose sight of striking a balance in our efforts. There has been, and will continue to be proposals to ban products and convey County sales tax breaks for installing geo thermal and buying hybrid vehicles for example. I have heard from many constituents that while they favor incentives, they question putting that entire responsibility upon our local taxpayer, particularly given the fiscal conditions we face now. I find it particularly frustrating that our state and federal government actually have real incentive options in place but many are lacking for a variety of reasons.

I agree with you that we need to take reasonable steps to conserve energy and minimize our dependence on fossil fuels. Like you, however, I expect  other levels of government to step to the plate so we do not put this all on the backs of our local taxpayers. I agree that we should take the lead by sending the message of environmental responsibility, but we should look to do so without having to personally pay for that message too.

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LIVING WAGE LEGISLATION - A popular notion that sounds like the "right thing to do" ... And it may very well be. However, and after speaking to many of your neighbors who also thought the short version was simple, the vast majority believed common sense dictates a clear understanding of exactly what is entailed BEFORE enactment.

Simply put ... This is merely an extension of the EXISTING ability of the County to ensure that companies doing business with the County pay a higher than minimum rate of pay. Essentially, we already HAVE a "living wage", except that it is called a "Prevailing Wage." Difference is that all that is necessary is certified payrolls, and it is done. The "Living Wage" initiative expands that to ANY entity that has ANY relationship with Rockland County government (i.e., incentives, tax credits, grants, etc.) thus necessitating oversight. For example, Suffolk has a staffed "Living Wage Unit" of a number that seems to be a big secret !! Also, compliance necessitates involvement of other departments, such as Consumer Protection, Legal, etc. The potential hiring would only expand government, and cost to you, the taxpayer, before one penny goes to any deserving person.

Other than a survey, there was NO effective, independent measure done of this legislation. Moreover, I met with members of the Working Families Party, obtained two dozen studies, interviewed executives in other cities who have this legislation, and found a vast difference of data, information, and frankly, some underlying illogic. Even some of the information supplied by the proponents of this legislation varied a great deal. Certainly, no one objects to extending a helping hand to those who could use a couple of bucks more in their pocket, to "Do the right thing", but my responsibility to YOU is to ensure that we do the right thing for everyone, and do it the right way. When faced with the potential of added millions to our budget, I will act to ensure that the rationale to do so is clear and incontrovertible, not guesswork.

As always, I welcome any question or request for information from my neighbors on this or any other issue that I need to represent YOU on. That is how I intend to do my best for you and your families in that regard.
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SALES TAX - I have requested that hearings be conducted to address what has become an unhealthy reliance by County government on the sales tax for revenue.

State and local government has created an alternate market for goods 10 minutes away in New Jersey. They do not make gasoline and clothing any better there, but government here has made it cheaper through regressive taxation. That drives up other costs to taxpayers due to closed businesses and less collected revenue.

The challenge will be to identify ways to moderate our reliance on a sales taxes that hurts our overall economy here, and does so  without raising our property taxes.

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SAVING YOU MONEY ... *********

Government must work smarter and better out of respect to those who have entrusted us with thier hard earned tax dollars. I continue to look for imtiatiative to "stretch our dollar" and get the job done in service to this community.

With Medicaid costing this County over $60 million per year, and with an estimate that fraud typically is 10% of that cost, I have submitted legislation to get reimbursement for Medicaid fraud detection software designed to recoup some of that estimated $6 million.

I continue to question and send back contracts that do not meet the accepted standards and practices that my business background expects. That saves money. I have also submitted legislation that will allow our County to access the federal General Services Administration (GSA) schedules, providing volume pricing for law enforcement, security, facilities, and other related equipment

"TANNING LAW" - Ed stood tall and voted "No" on this proposed legislation, even thought he knew that the law was billed as "protecting our children" against cancer. But given his long background and dedication to the health and safety of the children in our community, you know something here was seriously flawed.

Essentially, this was well meaning legislation that went amok. What started as a law that would ban children under the age of 14 and mandate parental approval for youngsters from 14 to 18 SOMEHOW turned into legislation that banned youngsters under the age of 16 AND mandated that parents physically go to the tanning salon EACH and EVERY time their 16 to 18 year old went for a tanning session ! With some lobbying, Ed was able to convince the bill's sponsor revisit the parental oversight issue, as Ed felt it was way too onerous on our parents. However, it then became "once a month" instead.

What should be known is that after much research and debate, the NY State Legislature passed a tanning salon law that banned children under 14 and promulgated regulations through the Commissioner of Health as to the content of the parental approval form, which was also deemed by government health professionals, not legislators, to be a ONCE PER YEAR form. This legislation was also praised by the American Cancer Society and the Melanoma Awareness Campaign.

And ... guess what? The New Jersey legislature passed similar legislation. Both state bills are now before the respective governors, and an answer should be had within a week.

Ed's position, based on research and his background in child protection was simple; Why are we passing an overwhelming law that includes language that runs counter to the professionals' counsel? With state legislation soon pending, would it not make more sense to table the proposal for two weeks ... Just ONE session ... to see if a comprehensive approach is put into place at both state levels?

Sounds reasonable, doesn't it? Well, Ed's call to reason was defeated 11-6. While Ed fully agrees on both the issue of protecting our children AND the need to augment EXISTING regulations found in the Rockland County Sanitary code, he does not agree that government should be playing parent. The state legislation institutes age appropriateness to the issue of indoor tanning, and also gives parents the tools and knowledge to be aware that their youngsters may wish to utilize a tanning salon upon their approval, of coursem, along with concise, accurate information to make an informed choice.

Once this more moderate approach was defeated, Ed had no choice but to stand his ground and vote "No". Flawed legislation, even when ostensibly designed in the service of children is STILL flawed, is not what his constituents expect him to sign on to. Given pending action by the states of NY and NJ, it seemed perfectly logical to take a pause. Also, this legislation has not yet become law, as it must be signed by the County Executive for formal enactment. Ed is hopeful that moderate views prevail, in that the state governors sign the legislation in now in front of them, and that the County Executive vetoes this poorly crafted legislation. What we would be left with is a good law that protects our children, respects our parents, and treats our business people in a fair manner. After all, we all are part of this County.

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ED WANTS YOUR INPUT ...

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - A tremendous challenge for both government and the community. This issue is particularly critical as it relates to seniors, volunteer first responders, and workers here in Rockland who do not make enough of money to reside here. The County level of government is now looking to directly involve itself via a "Housing Commission", and I look to all of you for direction.

Numerous issues arise, with the first being exactly how does this proposed initiative interface with both the efforts and desires of town government? Do you, as a senior, wish to "trade" your home for a smaller, condo type residence, and do you look at that being an "affordable" or "upscale" dwelling? How do we enhance availablity to OUR young and volunteers? Do you see accessory housing as more desirable than new construction, bearing in mind that strong codes must be in place to accomplish this? What of the impact upon our limited natural resources, along with services such as schools, law enforcement, health care, etc.? Do you support "changing the landscape" to accomplish this? Or do we simply do nothing and let the market dictate the results?

Bear in mind that I just scratched the surface !! Every comment and thought will provoke numerous issues and competing dynamics as to the results of a course of action. The answers lie with all of you, and I urge you to consider the issue, attend the legislative meetings that are designed for input, and please contact me with your thoughts.