|
Trustee Candidate Karen Dunn's Platform
"I've decided to run for reelection as a Village Trustee for two reasons. First, because of what we've accomplished since I joined the Village Board two years ago. Second, because we still have a lot of work to do.
"In 2006 my major goals were to have a Village Board with independent voices, a government that is more open and accessible to residents, maintaining affordability and the necessity for the Village and its residents to plan so that our future is in our hands and not subject to agendas of outside interests.
"Anyone who has attended a Village Board meeting in the last two years will have noticed that things have changed. We have extensive public discussions about a variety of issues, and at times the discussions become heated. But in the end, we take a democratic vote and move ahead with Village business. These past two years have been a good balance between those independent voices and the desire and ability to work together
"Open and accessible government encompasses many things. Communication is paramount and we still have a ways to go. As a trustee, I have worked to help get the longawaited website off the ground and it will soon be available. We also need an easily accessible system for people without computers, so they can get information on things as diverse snow-emergency announcements and the agendas for upcoming meetings. Communication among the various boards has improved, and the end result will be a less time-consuming process when doing business with the Village. Overall, there have been improvements, but we need more.
"The continued affordability of Cold Spring concerns us all. The Village Board works hard to control spending without compromising services. In the next two years, I plan to work on finding new streams of revenue for the Village, and that will come as a result of a more detailed analysis of our current conditions and assets. The search will include exploring opportunities for partnerships with other governmental entities as well as private initiatives. Just as what happens beyond our Village borders affects us, we need to look further afield to be able to manage our Village well. Much of the groundwork for this is already being done. With the help of volunteers working on the Comprehensive Plan strengths and weaknesses have been identified, and we need to go forward with that knowledge.
"In the past two years, many things have changed. Environmental issues are still of concern to us, the economy is in a state of flux, and new technology has changed our lives. With all of that there are opportunities for us as a Village. We need to begin now to enact legislation that will help us maintain what we all like about living here: night skies lighting guidelines, recycling incentives and fair parking for residents and visitors alike, to mention just three. We need to pay attention to what we have in the Village, what we need to change and what we want to keep. If elected, I will continue to do these things. (For updates and further news visit my blog at http:/ /karen-dunn- 2008.blogspot.com/.)"
| 
