In Warwick: Four questions, three candidates, two seats

Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Warwick Village Board in this coming Tuesday’s election. Warwick Advertiser reporter Linda Smith Hancharick asked the candidates four questions. Those questions and the candidates’ answers follow, presented in alphabetical order: 1. After more than five years there is still no full-service food store in the village. The new Spring Street Market provides some staples, as does CVS. Do you think there is a need for a supermarket in the village? If so, what can you do or what can the village do to make it happen. George McManus: I believe the village is well served by the Market and convenience stores in the village. Most items people need are obtainable. A slightly higher cost, but given the accessibility of them, it seems okay. The need for another supermarket outside of town is different: two markets would help to lower costs through competition. I’m not sure we have the ability as a community to support two large markets and I would hate to see one of them fail and then have a large empty box. The supermarkets still do not address the availability of accessing them by those who do not drive. People still rely on the Dial-A-Bus service or friends to get them there. We should look at ways to increase the services in that area. Stephen L Pascal: The only way to determine what would constitute a need for a supermarket or any other type of business would have to be determined by a free enterprise system upon which the American society holds dear. For instance, assuming that it was determined by a market survey in this particular locale to be economically feasible to that particular business then they would probably open a supermarket. So the question at hand is really be a moot point. And what can the village do to make it happen is assuming that any government who believes they have a magical wand to create a need and then make its own supply and demand is asking for trouble. There are a lot of things that one may feel they need, but in the end the store owner must determine what will sustain their economic goals and objectives. The American free enterprise system of supply and demand, coupled with the surrounding competition, will always be the driving factor of whether they can survive in the locality they would like to be in - not a locality I may think there is a need to be in. Eileen Patterson: I do not believe we have space or parking for a supermarket in the village. In addition, it should be a priority to reduce traffic of large delivery trucks on Main Street. Spring Street Market, Jackie’s Deli, Larry’s Deli and CVS are all terrific sources for the last-minute gallon of milk or loaf of bread. I believe the proposal for a second grocery store out on Route 94 brings an opportunity for lower prices through fair competition. That application falls under the authority of the town and I am confident that they will do a thorough job before that it is approved. 2. The Independent Business Alliance formed last year, with an emphasis on residents doing business locally. Do you think the village should do business locally? What is the village currently doing to support local merchants? George McManus: I think I’ll just say the village should do whatever it can to support local merchants and buy locally when possible. Stephen L Pascal: The village should do business locally whenever it can on certain things. The village, at times, may not be able to shop locally when it involves purchases on certain items and amounts that are not competitive or must either be put out to bid or may be regulated by state bid pricing. Whenever the village does conduct business locally, it adds to a sense of confidence in their local merchants, but at the same time they must be fiscally responsible while spending tax dollars. The village does many things to support its local merchants such as allowing Apple Fest to conduct itself and utilize the village streets and properties. The village maintains and allows for its beautification so it’s very appealing for people to come from many other areas to shop locally. It allows the farmers market to have a presence to encourage people to shop locally and maintains the municipal lot so that it’s able to conduct local business in a nice atmosphere. It adorns Main Street with flowers and a manicured park on Railroad Avenue so it’s very appealing for shoppers and the stores are easier to locate. It has erected local business signs directing people to the local businesses on Railroad Avenue and maintains the surrounding municipal lots for shoppers. Eileen Patterson: Of course, the Village Board should do business locally. With experience comes wisdom and I think the board should go forward, making every effort to purchase from local business owners. I am a big believer in keeping shopping dollars local and I encourage all residents to make this a priority. In large part, the charm and beauty of Warwick lies in the business district of the Village. I am encouraged by the way the IBA is working with the Board of Education to create a shopping list of items that the schools can purchase locally. I would suggest the same project be undertaken with Village Hall. 3. The Red Swan Inn’s proposal has been on the table for nearly two years. It includes residential and retail properties, as well as a large inn and commercial properties. Do you think the project fits the village? George McManus: In my opinion, the Red Swan Inn project as proposed does not match the current zoning and Comprehensive Master Plan. There are aspects of that project that could be beneficial to the village and others that I feel could be problematic. I worry that the proposed shops could draw away business from the downtown business area. The village is currently working jointly with the planning board and a planner to match the zoning laws to the Comprehensive Master Plan and then look at the proposed project. Stephen L Pascal: The Red Swan Inn’s proposal at times appears to fit the village. The property’s zoning restriction did not fit the proposal; this would require a complete rezoning of this area. A committee was formed to investigate the proposed zoning that the proposal wanted the village to adopt which was not in its local zoning ordinance. The proposal is still under review by the Village Board to ensure that this type of proposal is looked at very closely to ensure that whatever is determined would be in the best interest of the public which is the ultimate determining factor with any type of proposal. The Village Board wants to be absolutely sure of its decision whatever it is because this is the first proposal of its kind and it will set the pace of the village’s future regarding this type of proposed zoning change. The residents that live in the surrounding area also have some very genuine concerns that have to be addressed before any decisive action is even considered. Eileen Patterson: Actually the Red Swan Inn proposal was removed from the table by the developer in November 2005. In my opinion, this was a wise decision as no steps can be taken for that project until the Village Zoning Code has been adjusted to comply with the Comprehensive Master Plan. The developer has said that the project was inspired by the Comprehensive Master Plan and they seem sincere in their desire to listen to and incorporate feedback from the community. As with any other large development project, the process must be managed closely to ensure that SEQR requirements are met and the adjacent properties are not adversely affected. 4. Last year, general fund taxes rose 12 percent. The year before that, the increase was 3 percent. In fiscal year 2003-2004, the increase was nearly 5 percent. What do you think, if anything, can be done to stabilize village taxes? George McManus: Property tax increase comes from the school, the town and the village. Increasing taxes is one thing that no elected official wants to do. At times it seems as if residents believe that tax increases don’t affect elected officials; however we really do pay the same increases as those who voted us into office. There are a couple of “quick-fix” methods of holding the line on taxes which may look attractive in the short term but can be detrimental to the good of the community in the long haul. A board may choose to develop a budget that allows for and promises NO increase in taxes by holding each department responsible for eliminating spending to maintain this position. This is not sound, fiscally responsible budget process. If departments are not allowed money for equipment maintenance and repairs now, then they may be faced with considerably higher equipment replacement cost in the future. This tax scenario will create much higher tax increases in subsequent years. A board may also choose to find external sources for funding to offset expenditures instead of increasing taxes. However, the village is not a profit-making entity. Our water and sewer departments must be self sufficient to cover the operation of those departments, but the rest of the money to operate the village come from aid and taxes. Stephen L Pascal: This in and of its self is a very complex and difficult goal. There are no easy answers, and most certainly no easy solutions. I feel that by being more proactive rather than reactive in aggressively addressing infrastructure problems, etc., and establishing a plan to pay off bond and ban debts, this goal may be achieved. This is not something that can be achieved overnight; this will take a lot of time and hard work, being careful of what new projects to become involved in, and watching every dollar that is spent in order to fulfill this goal. I believe that the objective in working together to establish a plan and adhering to it will help to get us on track to eventually and hopefully stabilize village taxes. Eileen Patterson: I believe the Village Board should find ways to add to the commercial tax base. Using caution and seeking input from our Chamber of Commerce, the Planning Board and the community members, the board should find ways to bring business into the village that would reduce the tax burden on homeowners without changing the charm and beauty of the village.