No. 18, September 2007

An informed voter is the best guardian of democracy.

Welcome to The Rhinebeck Demogram, an email newsletter bringing you information and commentary about current issues, candidates, and events. Published by Rhinebeck Democrats for all the people of our community.

To view this issue of The Demogram in html format, visit the Rhinebeck Democrats' website at www.rhinebeckdemocrats.org

Our email address is demogram@rhinebeckdemocrats.org As always, we welcome comments, questions, suggestions and corrections.

IN THIS ISSUE: CAMPAIGN 2007
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WHY MAKE THE EFFORT TO VOTE IN 2007?

RHINEBECK TOWN: Candidate Statements:
* Steve Block, for Town Supervisor
* Kathy Kinsella, for Town Highway Superintendent
* Monique Segarra, for Town Board
* Lance Ringel, for Town Board

COUNTY LEGISLATURE
Candidate Profile: Joel Tyner

COUNTY-WIDE OFFICES
Candidate Profiles
* Joseph Ruggiero, for County Executive
* Richard Anderson, for County Clerk

WHY MAKE THE EFFORT TO VOTE IN 2007?
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With both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates already displaying their skills in debating forums almost monthly and presidential primaries scheduled for January 2008 or even December 2007, why should we be concerned with local elections this coming November?

Because 21 months ago, the improbable happened in Rhinebeck. For the first time in the town's history, voters chose Democrats to lead the town -- to serve as town supervisor, town highway superintendent and as the majority of the town board.

"But this coming November, it's the Democrats' turn to be held accountable. The fundamental question to be decided on November 6 will be whether to continue the proactive, transparent, participatory changes we have instituted in our town government, or to revert to the closed, passive practices of the past." (Warren Smith to Rhinebeck Democrats, in a letter dated 8/3/07)

Adding to the significance of November 2007 is the opportunity to re-elect our very productive County Legislator, Joel Tyner, and to terminate years of negative Republican leadership at the county-wide level, by electing Joseph Ruggiero as County Executive and Richard Anderson as County Clerk.

This issue of the Demogram is devoted to Campaign 07. Below you will find the personal statements of our four town candidates, and profiles of Joel Tyner and the two county-wide candidates.

RHINEBECK TOWN ELECTIONS: Candidate Statements
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Statement by STEVE BLOCK,
for Rhinebeck Town Supervisor,
Incumbent & Candidate for Re-Election
August 2007

Since the campaign of 2005 began, Democrats in the town of Rhinebeck have worked together to write a remarkable record of innovation, progress and accomplishment. With your help, those of us in office have recreated local government as a dynamic and creative instrument to make town hall more responsive and our lives and community better. We believe that our achievements as a team have been real, visible, and deserving of your continued support.

* By opening up town board meetings and dramatically increasing public access to information, we have made our local government more transparent and responsive.

* By taking on the mismanaged public access cable television station (PANDA) in Northern Dutchess and consistently encouraging cooperation between the village, town and public schools, we are providing leadership inside and outside Rhinebeck to improve collaboration across municipal boundaries.

* By establishing the Rhinecliff Hamlet Advisory Council and the Open Space and Affordable Housing Committee we have created new tools to help assure intelligent preservation of what we love about Rhinebeck.

* By increasing investments in recreation and town maintenance, we have improved programs and facilities for our children and for the community at large.

* By creating committees on Aging, Arts and Culture, Budget and Finance, and Web Site Development, we have expanded the public agenda and increased citizen participation in municipal affairs.

* By examining our dependence on fossil fuels in vehicles and public and private buildings, we are preparing to lead local efforts to reduce carbon emissions and limit our contributions to global climate change.

* And, by hiring a new attorney and a new engineer, and by establishing full-time professional town leadership and management, we have increased our capacity to identify and solve previously ignored problems.

In short, we have spent the past 18 months reforming local government, increasing public awareness and participation, tackling long-neglected problems, and working hard and smart with an unwavering moral and ethical compass. We bring to the 2007 campaign a record of enormous accomplishment written in a relatively short period of time.

Of course, the changes which fill us with pride have not been received with uniform support and approval. In the learning process we have made some mistakes and as we have moved forward there have been some missteps.

It is my certain belief, however, that our hard work and our record of accomplishment are recognized and valued in this community. I am confident that Rhinebeck citizens will vote in November to return me to the office of Town Supervisor and to put two outstanding Rhinebeck residents on the Town Board to work with Dod Crane and Ellen Silverstein in the next term.

In Monique Segarra and Lance Ringel, our party brings to this campaign two experienced, talented and committed citizens. We are thrilled that they have chosen to devote the next four years of their lives to continue and support our efforts to build open, pro-active, and competent Rhinebeck government.

Our history-making highway superintendent, Kathy Kinsella, has performed brilliantly, establishing new standards for departmental leadership and leading the way toward diversity in town leadership. She deserves the appreciation of every taxpayer in Rhinebeck for the energy and expertise she's brought to maintaining our roads and bridges.

As Rhinebeck's first Democratic supervisor in 101 years, I've continued learning about local issues and the levers of government in order to improve what town hall does and how we do it. On a personal level, I have enjoyed and felt enormously satisfied by the opportunity to demonstrate that government can actually work to benefit our community and our families.

Together we have already made a difference and, with your active support in November, we will continue to make an even greater difference in the years just ahead.

RE-ELECT STEVE BLOCK as Town Superintendent
sgblock@aol.com

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Statement by KATHY KINSELLA,
for Rhinebeck Highway Superintendent,
Incumbent and Candidate for Re-election
August 2007

I have been serving as Rhinebeck's Town Highway Superintendent for almost two years. I am asking for your support to continue the reforms and initiatives that I have undertaken at the department.

The role of today's Highway Superintendent has moved beyond managing the day-to-day operations of the department, such as fixing potholes and plowing snow. Since assuming office, I have turned the Department into an agency that communicates proactively with the public, works collaboratively with the Town Board, is responsive to community needs, and engages in the increasing planning issues which face our town.

Under my direction, in addition to the day-to-day operations mentioned above, the department has completed the Fox Hollow Bridge rehabilitation project, resurfaced Astor Drive and Mill Road, repaired the Orchard Street retaining wall, reconfigured the department's office to make the space more efficient, made physical improvements to the garage, and installed new communication technology. A well-received public newsletter has been initiated and communication with the public has been vastly improved.

I have worked with the Town Board in new ways. Within the past 18 months I have been instrumental in the development of four new laws. These include parking laws, a law to allow temporary street closures for community events, and an amendment of the town's employment policy designed to ensure non-discrimination. I am working currently with the Town Board on a comprehensive vehicle and traffic law. I participate in a variety of planning activities and work directly and frequently with other town departments and committees.

I have saved money through responsible spending and have increased revenue through grant applications and the divestment of surplus equipment.

When I took office, my goal was not only to improve the Highway Department's performance as a responsive municipal service agency, but also to make it a pro-active leader on issues related to safety and travel in our community. These goals are being realized, but it does not happen in a vacuum and I am grateful to all who have worked with me.

I hope that you will support my re-election in November, thereby enabling me to consolidate and expand the gains that the department has made in the past two years.

RE-ELECT KATHY KINSELLA as Town Highway Superintendent
kathykinsella@juno.com

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Statement by MONIQUE SEGARRA,
Candidate for Town Board
August 2007

This is a challenging time to be running for Town Board because Rhinebeck is at a major crossroad in terms of its growth and development. I support the idea of 'smart growth' -- development that is environmentally and socially sensitive. I want to preserve open space but also support the concept of affordable housing, in order to maintain the character of Rhinebeck's community. I am in favor of promoting our local businesses, and want to advance green and sustainable practices.

My son, who attends Chancellor Livingston School, has given me both a new identity as a "soccer mom" and a strong commitment to the public school system and the town's recreational resources. I am excited by the growing receptivity to collaboration between our major institutions - the village, the school system and the town. In addition, I have followed with close interest the development of the Comprehensive Plan and other aspects of local politics.

I applaud the Town Board's role in restructuring the management of PANDA, our public access cable television station. The station is a valuable resource and is key to making our government more open and accountable.

My experience with local politics and community service began on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, with the 104th Street Block Association. I served as an Association officer for six years, working on a range of issues such as block security and beautification, fund raising and block solidarity. Since my husband, young son, and I moved to Rhinebeck in 2000, I have been involved in community affairs through my work as a board member of the Wilderstein Preservation for the past four-plus years. I treasure Rhinebeck's past and its present and hope to be deeply involved in its future.

Professionally, I am a political scientist with over sixteen years of experience in international development and policy analysis. Currently I teach at Bard College in the Center for Environmental Policy. Prior to joining the faculty at Bard, I taught at Vassar College, at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, and at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

As someone who has studied and worked in democracy building and responsive government in Latin America, I would be delighted to have the opportunity to practice in my own backyard what I preach in my professional life and I hope to be able to bring my skills to the service of the Rhinebeck community.

ELECT MONIQUE SEGARRA to the Town Board
mq@mansakenning.com

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Statement by LANCE RINGEL,
Candidate for Town Board
August 2007

To be asked by Steve Block to join the Democratic team in town government meant to me that I was being enlisted to help sustain the best change that's happened to local government in the 11 years that I've lived in the Town of Rhinebeck. It meant being asked to put myself forward on the local level at a time when things seem to be growing ever worse in terms of the national scene – and I believe that at such times, if you're asked to step up and you can, you should. It meant also that I would have the opportunity to offer my own wide and eclectic experience in service to the people of the Town of Rhinebeck, which touched that old-fashioned part of me that believes very much in giving back to one's community.

Many people in Rhinebeck still remember me as the editor of Taconic Weekend, where my writing allowed me to engage with my readers in an ongoing conversation about this wonderful region, county, and town that has become my home. What may not be known is that I've also had a long career working in every level of government. Long ago I worked on Capitol Hill as a youthful staffer for a U.S. Senate Subcommittee and later, in Brooklyn, I served on Community Board 2 and worked for District Attorney Elizabeth Holtzman. During the administration of Governor Mario Cuomo I assumed various assignments and was the principal author of the report of his Task Force on Gay Issues, and later became Assistant Commissioner of Human Rights for the State of New York.

Closer to home, I'm completing my sixth and final year on the Board of Directors of the Dutchess County Arts Council, where for three years I chaired the Allocations Committee. In the year to date that I have served as a member of the Rhinecliff Hamlet Advisory Council I was the principal author of the Council's report to the Town Board on the Draft Comprehensive Plan, served as the Council's Liaison to the Waterfront Committee, and have chaired almost half the Council's meetings. As for my work life, for the past seven years I've had the pleasure of belonging to the close-knit community of Vassar College, both as the Senior Writer in the Development Office and as a student taking one course per term.

My partner and I lived for eight years in the Village of Rhinebeck before moving to the Hamlet of Rhinecliff, which we have called home for the past three years. That's long enough for me to have seen some major changes in the Town of Rhinebeck, and to feel an ever-increasing concern about where the coming changes will lead us all. The Town I made my home 11 years ago was blessed with abundant open space and a terrific mix of people from all walks of life. Both these aspects of life in Rhinebeck seem in jeopardy if we do not manage inevitable growth in a way that is judicious and fair to all concerned.

When I moved here, I was given to understand that there were some deep divisions in the Town – between full-timers and weekenders, between old-timers and newcomers, and yes, between Republicans and Democrats. Given all my experience since, but especially in the last year on the Rhinecliff Hamlet Advisory Council, I beg to differ. What I've found is that I and my neighbors, far more often than not, want the same things. Primarily, we want to maintain the special character of life in our town. We want to conserve open space and maintain affordable housing. The devil, as always, is in the details. I have no illusions that a final version of the Comprehensive Plan will completely please anyone in the Town of Rhinebeck – but I am convinced that the government which took office two years ago, a government unprecedented in its openness to citizen input, has been moving in the right direction in this all-important work.

I am ready and able to join in completing the task, if the voters will allow me that privilege. I'm proud to be running with Steve Block and Kathy Kinsella, who have wrought such amazing changes in such a short time, and with Monique Segarra, who has so much talent to contribute to the work of the Town Board. I look forward to working with them and with Dod Crane and Ellen Silverstein as part of the Democratic team in Town Hall.

ELECT LANCE RINGEL to the Town Board
larwrites@aol.com

 

COUNTY LEGISLATURE: Candidate Profile
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Profile of JOEL TYNER,
Dutchess County Legislator, 11th District,
Incumbent & Candidate for Re-election
August 2007

Since he became our county legislator in January 2004, Joel Tyner has been our light of hope in politics at the county level. He has tenaciously battled a seemingly intransigent Republican majority and leadership to push through many pieces of progressive legislation, only some of which are described below:

+ Retention of, and increased funding for, the county's home care program for seniors;

+ Protection of the rights of homeless veterans to obtain shelter;

+ Discounts on the purchase of defibrillators for county residents;

+ County "take back" programs which will reduce the damage to our environment caused by products such as unused medications and used fluorescent light bulbs;

+ Expansion of the county's health department website to include information about ground water contamination;

+ Increased purchasing of hybrid vehicles for the county fleet;

+ Change of monthly county legislature meetings from afternoon to evening hours, to enhance public access.

Regarding education of the public, Joel's efforts have been consistent and tireless. Each month he organizes and sponsors forums (most of them in Rhinebeck's Town Hall) on issues such as air quality and tax fairness. Since 1997 he has researched and compiled annual reports on the linkage between campaign contributions and contracts awarded by the county government. Since 2001 he has focused on informing the public about ground water contamination in northern Dutchess, a topic finally receiving attention from the media.

Joel identifies and pursues many problems. But ground water contamination is probably his signature issue. He argues persuasively and relentlessly for required testing of wells for volatile organic chemicals such as MTBE, a gasoline additive.

A resident of Dutchess County for 42 years, Joel has always been a community activist. It began with his role as student body president of Rhinebeck High School in 1981 and continues today with his current service in the county legislature, representing Rhinebeck and Clinton townships. A teacher/counselor by profession, Joel's avocation is good government.

Asked to list his top three priorities for the coming legislative term, Joel cites the following, each of which will save taxpayer dollars in the long run.

1) Help our seniors meet transportation needs by supplying rides for doctor and hospital visits. This will enable them to remain independent, at home, and will save Medicaid dollars spent on nursing homes.

2) Provide health care for the currently uninsured so that they do not have to resort to less effective, more expensive care in emergency rooms.

3) Hold real estate developers accountable for the costs they impose on taxpayers, in terms of environmental damage and infrastructure expenses.

RE-ELECTJOEL TYNER as our County Legislator
joeltyner@earthlink.net

 

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COUNTY-WIDE OFFICES: Candidate Profiles
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Profile of JOSEPH RUGGIERO
Candidate for Dutchess County Executive
August 2007

The motto on Joseph Ruggiero's website -- "Proven Leadership That Works For You" -- couldn't be more apt.

In 1993, at the age of 23, Joseph Ruggiero was elected Town Councilman representing the third ward in the Town of Wappinger, becoming the youngest person ever elected in the history of the town, and the youngest elected official in New York State at that time. He served four consecutive terms as Councilman.

In 2001, at the age of 31, Joseph Ruggiero was elected Supervisor of the Town of Wappinger. He was re-elected in 2003 with nearly 70% of the vote, and again in 2005 when he ran unopposed.

Joseph first became interested in government in college when he participated in student government and in his senior year served as Student Body President at the SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome.

After graduating from college in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Joseph spent 10 years working in the telecommunications industry, holding various management positions. In 2001, he was working for Telergy, a telecom company in lower Manhattan. The attacks of September 11th caused Telergy to close its doors. Like many Americans, Joe was deeply affected by the terrorist attacks and was then inspired to make a full time commitment to government.

As Wappinger Town Supervisor, Joseph Ruggiero has been a leader in the preservation of open space, controlling suburban sprawl, exploring inter-governmental cooperation and expanding town services while keeping town property taxes low through efficient and effective budgeting.

Joseph has been a resident of Dutchess County since he was eighteen months old, when his parents moved to the Town of Wappinger. He is the proud son of a New York City sanitation worker and union member. His wife since 2005, Stephanie Bosco-Ruggiero, is a research assistant at Children First, a research institute of the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. For the past eight years Joseph has served as leader of the Dutchess County Democratic Party and is largely responsible for the rapidly growing strength of the party in this Republican stronghold.

In a letter this past May announcing his candidacy for county-wide position, Joseph asked voters to "Imagine a county where the County Legislature and the County Executive work together. Imagine a county government that protects our drinking water, cooperates with our municipalities to control growth and provide affordable housing, works to improve the lives of our families, and provides open and efficient management of our government. Imagine all the positive changes that together we can make for the people of our county."

ELECT JOSEPH RUGGIERO as Dutchess County Executive
info@joeruggiero.org
845-233-1199

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Profile of RICHARD ANDERSON
Candidate for Dutchess County Clerk
August 2007

Richard Anderson has proven himself already in the role of Dutchess County Clerk, having served more than ably in that capacity from 2000 through 2003. Back in November 1999 Richard beat the odds against Democrats in this county by being elected. As a successful Democratic candidate and an extremely effective office holder he was a particular target of the Republican machine in the 2003 election and was defeated as a result of the exceptional resources at the disposal of his opponent.

During his tenure as Dutchess County Clerk from 2000 through 2003, Richard updated filing systems, purchased new technology to make title searches more efficient, rescued historic title documents that go back to the 17th century, and streamlined procedures in order to serve the public better. His office was able to do more with less and consistently exceeded revenue projections while maintaining expenses well below budget.

Richard has spent his entire life in Dutchess County. He attended Dutchess Community College and Marist and, with his wife Margaretta, recently deceased, he raised two daughters here. He has served as an installation planner for the IBM Development Lab in Poughkeepsie and now works in real estate sales and appraisal.

Richard's principal goals for a 2008-2111 term are to continue automating the records at the clerk's office and to follow up with projects he initiated in his earlier term. Electronic filing of deeds and mortgages will make them accessible to the public via the Internet. Mobile DMV will bring the Department of Motor Vehicles to outlying areas; the mobile unit would visit a different town each day of the week, using the town hall or another facility to set up a computer. Both programs have been provided in other counties, with great success.

RE-ELECT RICHARD ANDERSON as Dutchess County Clerk
dcclerk@optonline.net