One-term incumbent New Paltz Town Supervisor Neil Bettez faces two challengers to his reelection bid; both his town council colleague Marty Irwin and longtime activist and gadfly MaryAnn Tozzi will also each be on the ballot. To the victor will go the first four-year term for the job, thanks a ballot initiative voters approved last year.
Neil Bettez
Bettez is running on the Democrat and Working Families party lines.
Why did you decide to run for this office this year?
I decided to run for this office again this year because bringing quality projects to fruition takes time. I would like to continue to work on some important initiatives started during my first term. We have been successful in getting grant money to use for quite a few projects like the new firehouse, the Springtown Road rail trail bridge, a new liner for Moriello Pool and an electric vehicle charging station, but we are still working on getting money to improve our recreation facilities by adding soccer, lacrosse and football fields, creating a multi-use path in the Millbrook Preserve so children have a safe route to school, and, of course, finding a permanent solution for a municipal center and funding for a new master plan. All of these are long-term projects which require continuity of commitment and focus.
What skills, experiences, or qualifications do you have that make you the best choice for town supervisor?
When I ran for my first term, I said that I thought that many of the skills I used as a scientist would be useful and that an effective supervisor would carefully analyze problems, confer with others and use evidence to plan and execute policies and projects that are important to the town. I have found this to be true, and feel that these skills have been useful. I now realize, however, it takes a lot more than that. It’s not only important to be a really good listener, but to recognize you don’t know all the answers and be open to new ideas. We face many challenges, but I’m looking forward to bringing current projects to fruition and finding solutions for the problems we face as a community.
Do you have a vision for the town?
Yes, I would like New Paltz to be not only a town that people want to live in but one that they can afford to stay in. I’d like to see expanded recreational opportunities for our kids and a safe and healthy environment that supports everyone’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.
This past year, town council members voted to pass a so-called “sanctuary” law, replacing a policy under which police officers are directed not to inquire into immigration status except in limited circumstances. Should there be a policy put into place to de-prioritize marijuana arrests, which have also been found to have a disproportionate impact on people of color? Why or why not?
The “sanctuary law” is a great example of how we can make sure the town’s policies not only protect the most vulnerable, but also do not impact any one group disproportionately. I have heard the complaint about the number of marijuana arrests; as a result we are currently looking into what the actual numbers are and will move forward from there.
What are the top three challenges facing the town of New Paltz right now?
New Paltz faces many of the same challenges as other towns: jobs, housing and taxes. The challenge is addressing these issues in a sustainable manner without losing what makes our town such a unique and special place. It is important to balance economic development with community values and the environment. We should not have to give up long-term prosperity for short-term gains. Quick fixes can cause more harm than good. This is one of the main reasons I fought to pass a moratorium and hire a planner to work with the community so that, in time, the area near the Thruway exit will appropriately reflect what residents of the town want there without long-lasting detriment to the environment and the character of our community.
With the right type of development in the right place we can meet our current needs (jobs, housing, taxes) without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, or to create a landscape that detracts from the natural beauty that surrounds us.
What would be your top three priorities when you begin as supervisor in January?
My top priority would be to keep finding ways to serve our residents’ needs in the most efficient way possible. I think the best way to do this is to continue building upon our cooperative relationships with the village, SUNY New Paltz and the school district to explore new potential for shared services in order to save money.
The second is to find a permanent solution for town offices. When I took office in 2016, I was very excited about the proposed plan to build a new town hall. However, the project as proposed would have cost over $16 million and that kind of tax burden is unacceptable. I think it’s important to find a long-term solution that integrates town and village offices which not only lowers the cost, but improves efficiency while increasing services. We’re getting closer to finding a solution that not only lessens costs for the town and village, but creates a more efficient interaction with the community as well.
Finally, we need to address the socioeconomic and mental-health factors which contribute to the well-being of our community. I think hiring our community education coordinator (CEC) after the grant funding for her position ran out was an incredibly positive step forward for the community. Collaboration between the CEC, town police, youth program and community organizations will set the groundwork for a healthy, welcoming, and thriving community. The town is also in the process of creating an affordable housing law which would create more opportunities for low-income residents to stay in and contribute to the community.
Marty Irwin
Irwin has secured the Independence and Women’s Equality party lines.
Why did you decide to run for this office this year?
Folks need to pay attention to what their government is doing.
Recently, this administration responded to the planning board’s Negative Declaration regarding CVS by indicating that when those that voted against the deputy superintendent’s wishes to issue a Positive Declaration, come before the town board for reappointment, the deputy superintendent will use their votes “as a litmus test.” I believe in diversity and inclusivity. Oh, and remember, these are our neighbors volunteering!
I’m fiscally conservative. Last year, the current administration increased our budget by 8.8%, and the supervisor’s 2018 budget proposal increases another 4.8%.
Under this administration, the Moriello Pool has opened late two years in a row.
Neither the board nor the residents are kept aware of important activities. Under the present administration, there is a lack of transparency. Business is conducted among a select few board members and in secret. Take, for example, the supervisor’s attempts at this past Thursday’s Town Board meeting to use “executive session” to deny the public learning of his plans to hire Matt Eyler to serve as a buyer’s agent to purchase the Gateway Industries property for a municipal center, and then trying to go into executive session to interview Mr. Eyler. Mr. Eyler chose to interview in public, and offered to evaluate both the Veterans Drive architect-prepared proposal and the supervisor’s Gateway Industries property, but the supervisor declined comparative analysis of both. This is bad for all of us, as a municipal center will have a significant impact on our taxes. The supervisor is precluding necessary critical evaluation of the pros and cons of both possibilities. Apparently, the supervisor believes Gateway is the right move because Mr. Willingham told him to jump on it (Mr. Willingham has been hired to evaluate the building, but as of the meeting when this was stated, he had yet to conduct and report on his study). No budget has been developed; no architect has concluded that the immovable building envelope lends itself to an efficient floor plan, especially important for the court and police; no determination has been made as to whether the village will agree to participate (although the mayor seems to be leading the charge); no determination has been made as to who will own the property, and therefore borrow the funds; no estimate has been put forth as to the likely tax increase that will result, yet the supervisor is satisfied that he’s performed necessary due diligence and that this is the best alternative; and no consideration has been given to getting the property back on the tax rolls (it’s now owned by a tax-exempt organization) to generate new property tax revenue.
No business would survive with this kind of leadership and decision-making.
What skills, experiences, or qualifications do you have that make you the best choice for town supervisor?
I’ve owned, developed, managed and operated office buildings, and multi-family senior housing and assisted living, including new seven-story office buildings and the adaptive reuse of a hospital complex. My projects were on time and on budget.
I’m analytical, a problem solver and a team leader.
Do you have a vision for the town?
We must control our taxes. This can be done by reducing expenses (cutting programs and services), or increasing revenues (taxes). So, there needs to be growth — especially commercial expansion. A new comprehensive plan is long overdue. A review of the so-called Gateway District is good, but this administration refused to expand the scope of the study area to include South Putt Corners Road, where the greatest commercial development potential exists. Developer’s shy away from New Paltz because our approval process is very long, convoluted and expensive. They also know that even after following the rules and investing hundreds of thousands of dollars, they can be stopped by a moratorium, such as the one presently in place. Such actions delay projects getting completed, and we don’t collect taxes until they’re finished.
We must continue to plan for the impacts of climate change, which we are already experiencing. I intend to develop an Energy Independence Plan that will lead to New Paltz being 100% energy independent by 2030. At the moment, satisfactory storage solutions are the critical path, but that is being overcome rapidly.
This past year, town council members voted to pass a so-called “sanctuary” law, replacing a policy under which police officers are directed not to inquire into immigration status except in limited circumstances. Should there be a policy put into place to de-prioritize marijuana arrests, which have also been found to have a disproportionate impact on people of color? Why or why not?
The Sanctuary Law gives comfort to some of our neighbors; however, it did not replace, add or delete any policy, but codified them.
Marijuana, like alcohol, is an addictive substance which for some folks can have devastating, and even lethal effects, and is often a stepping stone to more dangerous drugs. Having said this, it should be legalized, as we should all have the right to make our own choices, even if ill advised. The disproportion is not just with folks of color, it is all minorities, and is reflective of the bias and prejudice of many of those making laws — at all levels of government. These efforts are also seen with voter suppression and anti-LGBTQ legislation, for examples.
What are the top three challenges facing the Town of New Paltz right now?
Budgets are out of control; no efforts to build the tax base; poor management of the town’s very skilled town employees.
What would be your top three priorities when you begin as supervisor in January?
Rebuild a cohesive management team, drawing on the talents and expertise of our employees. Folks deserve, and are more productive, in a happy and friendly work environment, which doesn’t exist under this administration.
Get everything out in the open so my neighbors know how their town is being run.
Develop a municipal center — wherever proper due diligence indicates
MaryAnn Tozzi
Tozzi’s name will appear on the Crosswalk party line.
Why did you decide to run for this office this year?
There were several factors that led to my decision to run for the supervisor position. The seed was planted when the town planning board voted against starting their meetings with the pledge of allegiance. It was not the “no” vote that caused my concern; It was the reasons given for not saying it, and the refusal of the town board to allow the local veterans to speak during the meeting as part of the agenda. I knew a large portion of the town was being dismissed. Their concerns were met with “this is a non-issue” and support of “the democratic decision;” no thought or regard was given to the people who were disregarded or for the outright disdain they were shown by the planning board members who spoke against it.
A few weeks later, I read that the town was considering a single-hauler system that would require residents to not only purchase their refuse services from one preapproved hauler, but then pay the town an additional fee for negotiating the contract. My decision was solidified when I saw calls for rainbow-themed crosswalks. I spent many years very actively promoting crosswalk safety for our school-aged pedestrians. The crosswalk where the children travel was given minimal consideration, and a years-long battle among the school, the town and the police, but my elected officials were falling all over themselves for a crosswalk to promote their own progressiveness. I really feel like a lot of people in my town are not being heard or represented.
What skills, experiences, or qualifications do you have that make you the best choice for town supervisor?
I didn’t decide to run for supervisor on a whim. The thought I put in included my own acknowledgement that I lack political experience. I am prepared for a very steep learning curve. I have the ability and the willingness to learn the intricacies of the job. I bring the promise of total transparency.
I will not make citizens or members of boards fight to get information about what the town government is doing. I am a middle-class resident, so I verily understand the importance of frugality and being fiscally responsible. Obviously, those things are important, but there is also something to be said for being a regular person. I can just as easily relate to the “townies” sitting on the stoops as I can the senior citizens at ShopRite on Tuesdays.
Do you have a vision for the town?
I think this is a silly and kind of arrogant question. Towns are fluid, they change with the times. I can’t even conceive of imposing my vision on people 50 years from now. We had to pull up train tracks from Main Street because they kept popping up through the asphalt. Imagine if we had to run that train now because of a law enacted 100 years ago because of someone’s vision? Any “visions” I have are of the past when there was an arcade, a bowling alley, a skating rink; things for kids to do. My vision is for the now and the people who live here now and pay taxes now to maintain a decent quality life for residents now.
This past year, town council members voted to pass a so-called “sanctuary” law, replacing a policy under which police officers are directed not to inquire into immigration status except in limited circumstances. Should there be a policy put into place to de-prioritize marijuana arrests, which have also been found to have a disproportionate impact on people of color? Why or why not?
I requested information from the New Paltz police department asking about the statistics of marijuana arrests as it regards to race. I was not able to pick this information up before this interview was due for publication. This would be the perfect place to suggest we reform the police commission to a neutral citizen-based board to review community complaints. If there is a disproportionate amount of arrests aimed at people of color, it would seem to me the issue would be racially based, which is a much bigger problem than a marijuana arrest.
What are the top three challenges facing the town of New Paltz right now?
The biggest challenges facing New Paltz right now include reconciling bicycle and pedestrian safety with the superabundant amount of commuter and tourist traffic, the lack of recreational resources for youth and families and the complete and utter lack of sock and underwear availability.
I have no plan or ideas for the traffic other than the steps that are currently being taken. I, without doubt, believe a town that claims to provide a good quality of life should provide park and recreation areas for its residents, as a place to socialize and have fun. This could definitely be included in a joint municipal center. While I don’t want to see the town overrun with strip malls, we need commercial growth. Our town needs more than just mom-and-pop stores. We need business that local people can utilize and for a tax base.
What would be your top three priorities when you begin as supervisor in January?
My top priorities will be finding a home for our “temporary” town offices. We need to start moving forward on getting a town hall. I would love to be the first supervisor to work in an office side by side with the village mayor in a joint municipal center. It’s good not to rush into things, but eventually you have to take action. Three years in a “temporary office” is too long. Another longstanding issue had been the utterly vile and hostile environment in New Paltz politics, and I’m really glad to see that has not been the case with the current supervisor,and that is absolutely something I want to continue. I would love to work cooperatively with the village, but there is a town and there is a village. I do not want to see a town-wide village. I appreciate our tourists, I love that so many people appreciate what I often take for granted, but my priority will be to the resident taxpayers. I want a town of residents that welcome tourists, not a tourist town that closes down in the winter because no one can actually afford to live and shop there; Lake George with a mountain instead of a lake.
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