Two candidates vie for District 3 seat on Orange County Legislature

Glenn Ehlers

Why are you running for County Legislator?

As your county legislator, born and raised in Orange County, it has been an honor and privilege to serve as Orange County Legislator. I have and will continue to work diligently to provide county residents will the support and services they expect and deserve. My mission is to keep Orange County a wonderful place to live, work and play for generations to come.

What are the top three things you aim to accomplish if elected?

1. I pledge that I will continue to hold the line on tax rates and debt. As chairman of Ways and Means we have the lowest tax rate in more than 50 years and less debt in over 10 years (21.7 % lower).

2. Protect and preserve our county’s open spaces and critical infrastructure (Sugarloaf Mountain, Camp LaGuardia, Maple Avenue School, Sugarloaf PAC) just in the last few years right here in Chester.

3. Investing millions of dollars in security enhancements in our schools, allowing for direct communication between all of our emergency services.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

As a local business owner and community volunteer (29-year active volunteer firefighter, 10-year active volunteer ambulance member, 25-year active Rotary member) just to name a few. I am proud to be an active member of our community and I’ll keep an open mind and an open door. A few of my endorsements include CSEA NY, Laborers Local 17, American Latino Coalition, Orange County NY Correction Officers, Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council comprised of our very own hard working Electrical #363, Carpenters, and many other skilled professionals. These endorsements prove my dedication to the fabric of Orange County.

Stephen Diffley

Why are you running for County Legislator?

I have been a resident of Chester for nearly 30 years. I am a husband, father and grandfather. I have been a working member of Local 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for more than 37 years.

I am running because I see the need for change in Orange County. There is a lack of real financial oversight in the county government. No-bid contracts, excessive reserve balances, corporate subsidies and unreasonable reimbursement schedules for county contactors are just a few of the issues.

The taxpayers of Orange County need the opportunity to move in a different direction.

What are the top three things you aim to accomplish if elected?

I will advocate for an independently elected comptroller to oversee the finances of the county’s billion-dollar budget. The fact that Orange County does not have a comptroller with a budget this large is incredible.

Affordability is a huge issue facing Orange County. We need to find a way to give our senior citizens and our children the opportunity to stay here in Orange County. I will work with my fellow legislators to form private/public partnerships to build housing that will give our young people and seniors an affordable option.

Corporate welfare is alive and well in Orange County. Huge companies like Amazon are asking for, and many times receiving, huge tax breaks for new projects with no guarantee of job creation numbers or benefit to the community. The county is being overrun with warehouses. The Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is already being monitored but I believe we can do better. I feel we should use the IDA to create real benefits for our communities instead of increasing corporate profits. I believe that tax incentives are a useful tool, but they must be used properly to create living wage jobs by working to attract industries other than warehousing.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

The current county legislative majority has failed to adequately address these issues. The taxpayers of District 3 need an advocate that will fight for change, and I will be that advocate.