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Westchester County, NY November 3, 2009 Election
Smart Voter

Letter to Voters

By Lydia H. Landesberg

Candidate for Supervisor; Town of Bedford

This information is provided by the candidate
Summary of my stance on the issues. For more detailed information, please go to my website, http://www.votelandesberg.org
I am running for Town Supervisor because there is much to be done in Bedford. In 2003, under former Supervisor John Dinin, our Town Board adopted a forward-looking Comprehensive Plan to ensure the continued health of our town. The Plan contains recommendations that address a wide range of concerns from water quality to zoning to parking and traffic flow in the hamlets. Under the current administration, only a fraction of the plan has been implemented. Even many of its key environmental measures have been ignored, such as requiring a permit for the application of herbicides, pesticides and other chemical applications in our wetlands.
We have made little progress toward the construction of sewers in our downtown areas. As Supervisor, I will work to obtain the necessary waivers and governmental approvals rather than just wait. As this is going to be an expensive undertaking, I will use the time to organize a task force to explore options for funding the project and to find ways to make it eligible for state and federal aid. I will also use the time to educate our residents about why sewers are so crucial to our quality of life and allow people ample opportunity to voice their concerns. We need to do those things now in order to be prepared when we have finally secured the required permits.
The economic downturn has created serious budgetary challenges for Bedford. I believe that Bedford would benefit from developing a long-term fiscal plan and a long-term capital projects plan, rather than relying solely on one year at a time budgeting. We need to put every line of our budget under a microscope. I propose beginning with the Supervisor's salary, which is currently the highest of any Supervisor in Westchester County. It needs to be lowered as it is out of scale for a town of our size and relative wealth. My priority is to reduce expenses without reducing services or laying off a single town employee. If you have heard a rumor that the Democrats are planning to eliminate the Parks and Recreation Department, or any other department, please be reassured that it is completely false.
As your Town Supervisor, I promise to be a thoughtful manager and a strong leader. I will make information readily available to you and keep you informed. I will seek your input, listen to your concerns, and return your phone calls. I will do my best to treat everyone fairly and equally. I will do my job in a non-partisan fashion, and work to build consensus on important issues with my colleagues on the Town Board. I will get things done in a timely manner.
Please visit my website,http://www.votelandesberg.org , if you would like to learn more about me and my ideas. I would be honored to serve as your Supervisor in the Town of Bedford, and I ask for your support on November 3rd.

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ny/wst Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 27, 2009 12:10
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