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Newly Elected Councilmen Bob Cinque Talks About His Upcoming Tenure on the Town Board
by Edward Paul Greiff
Bob Cinque was elected to the Town Board of Putnam Valley in the November, 2007 election. To get an idea of what he is thinking, where he wants to go, the PCN&R sat down with Mr. Cinque and gave him the opportunity to speak to issues he feels are important.
PCN&R: Do you think there is an advantage to being a lawyer and being on the Town Board?
Cinque: I think there is an advantage, the same as any other profession or any other special skill that anyone brings to the Board. It would be same as an engineer, a doctor, or any other person you can think of. As attorneys we delve into certain areas deeper than most others. You're talking about essentially a legislative body which the Town Board is and as a legislative body I think it is an advantage to understand how laws are applied, how laws can be interpreted by the courts. It gives us a head start on whether or not we are going to have a battle on our hands; supposing somebody wants to challenge an ordinance or a piece of code that we pass.
"First and foremost I ran on the proposition that I was going to do what is best for the Town and that is always going to be my first consideration. I do think it is important for the Town Board to be able to look at problems from all angles because when you are looking for solutions you can't always count on first impressions. You've got to dig a little deeper and then decide what the best course of action is.
"My plan is to work with the fellows I came into office with and find the best way to broaden the tax base so we can put less of the burden on homeowners to support the town and the school."
PCN&R: How would you propose to broaden the tax base?
Cinque: "We would like to welcome some commercial development in the Oregon Corners area and some of the other corners in town. Interestingly enough it's the same approach that is recommended by the draft Comprehensive Plan.
"I welcome any citizen business or otherwise to come in and talk about town issues, where they might have problems with town regulations, town policy and whether there is a way to get them what they want while keeping the town's interests protected. Obviously we have to balance things, but I am a firm believer in that if you sit down and talk, you can always find some way to work things out.
"I spoke to a number of people during my campaign, some who have lived here a long time and they were in favor of bringing some business into town and the need to broaden our tax base. Most of them like the idea of having more stores at the corners; they voted for us to do that. It's changing the outlook. Up till now the outlook in town has been very hostile toward bringing in business. They've got to know we will work with them. What you want is to bring people into Oregon Corners and give people a shopping, dining out experience.
"I feel I have something to contribute to town government and the way the Town Board was proceeding wasn't working and I wanted to take my shot at setting things right; things weren't getting passed, meetings were too long and not productive. Bottom line is I don't think the Town's business was getting done.
"I would never want to interfere with the public's right to be heard at meetings, obviously that's a key component of democracy. However in the Constitutional Law business they have a phrase that they call "time place and manner." The government can't regulate content of speech but they can have something to say about the time, place and manner of speech.
"I am pretty confident that Bob Tendy, in running a meeting, will recognize when someone attending the meeting is offering a productive comment and will be a good meeting moderator.
"I am not kidding when I say I love Putnam Valley. One of the things I learned while campaigning, which I expected but it was nice to see it born out, is that people want what is best for the Town. That people also want to see there fellow town's people doing well. They don't wish ill on their neighbors. I see so little of that as compared to any place else I've ever been. And you know, I expected when knocking on doors that there were going to be some people who just didn't want to see me. Not for any other reason than 'oh there's some politician at the door.' But there was so little of that, even with people who I am sure did not agree with my position. They were polite, they heard me out, and to tell you the truth, I think that's the Town's greatest strength. No matter which side of the fence they are politically, I get the clear sense that they want what's best for the Town. Some people had very clear opinions, some people not so much. Some people were focused on specific issues or positions, others were focused more on the Town. But I would have to say by in large they were judging me on whether or not they thought I could make things better. Those who did voted for me. I went to Lake Peekskill, Roaring Brook, Peekskill Hollow Road and side streets, Oscawana Lake Road and side streets. I can't think of too many places I didn't go knocking on doors.
"One message I would want above any other is that I am going to work hard too make sure that everyone gets a fair shake when dealing with the Town."
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