Debate Questions That Were Asked Are Below

More than 200 emails, most with multiple questions.  Ramapo Times categorized the issues that were submitted, ranked them based upon how many times people mentioned each issue and then formulated questions most of which began with some contexr before getting down to actually asking each candidate the question.

A few questions were asked almost verbatim to how they were received.  We felt that by including examples from the emails we received we could have the candidates get right to the heart of the matter.  There were many questions that voters wanted us to ask the individual candidates but that was outside of the guidelines that were set during negotiations with the candidates.  We still managed to get a lot of these points included in questions posed to both candidates.

We came up with a final list of 29 questions.  15 were asked and we're working on getting the remaining 14 addressed--stay tuned for an update on this endeavor.

One question did not make the list.  We'll tell you what it was at the end of this article but until then, here are the questions we came up with that were actually asked:

Taxes

People are out of work, many of those with jobs in the private sector have been subjected to wage freezes while others have had their hours or salaries cut and yet during these economically challenging times taxes in the village have increased.  Wages for Village Employees have increased.  The residents have made it very clear in their emails to Ramapo Times that even small tax increases are not acceptable in this economic environment; tax decreases are what’s needed and are what the people are demanding.  At the same time, as our property values decrease, our property taxes are being increased.  This suggests that there is no longer a relationship between property value and the taxes paid on the property. If elected Mayor of the Village of Suffern, what specifically are you going to do about taxes in these difficult economic times and going forward?

Town of Ramapo Taxes

The Village of Suffern is allegedly being overtaxed because the Town of Ramapo charges the residents of the village costs related to the Town’s Highway Department and the Town’s Police Department even though the taxpayers of Suffern already pay for and receive these services from the Village.  If elected mayor how are you going to address this issue?  Why has this issue not been addressed previously?

Personnel Changes

There has been a lot of talk about personnel changes that might be made in depending upon who becomes the Mayor of the village including some long-time village employees being replaced.  If elected Mayor, do you have any plans to make personnel changes and will these positions be open to current board members and/or their families?

CSEA

A working partnership has formed between the Village & the CSEA on issues such as health & safety. What will your administration’s relationship be with the CSEA and will you be willing to meet with authorized CSEA officers to work on labor & management issues?   

Suffern Police Department

Do you feel that the Suffern Police Department has been provided with the tools, training and technology they need to keep our Village safe in this day and age?  What are you feelings about the current state of the Police Department and if elected Mayor, what changes would you implement?

287g

What is your understanding of what 287g allows and does not allow and what is your position on 287g in the Village of Suffern?

 Day Laborers

Streets in Suffern are lined with large groups of loitering day laborers each morning creating the atmosphere of an unsafe environment and a negative impression of our village; they block pedestrian traffic, direct inappropriate comments and catcalls toward women, sometimes in front of children and make commuters and families uncomfortable.   Furthermore, it is highly probable that if you were to ask these people to provide proof of authorization to work in the United States or any sort of government issued identification, most cannot comply.  This suggests that these people may not be legally qualified to pursue work in this country.  That being said, we also have to take into account the fact that Mamaroneck lost a lawsuit when they attempted to address a similar issue with day laborers three years ago.  If you are elected mayor, what will your policy be in relation to these day laborers?

Village Recreation Assets

We are fortunate to have our own recreation department and recreation facilities.  It appears as if some of our facilities could be utilized more often by village residents.  For example, the community center remains unused many hours during a typical week.  Another example is the DARE Hockey Rink.  The Rink is utilized each spring and fall by hundreds of young people.  If it had a covering of some kind—not a fully enclosed building but some sort of roof, this rink could be used during the summer and during rain or snow qllowing the program to serve more people including possibly an adult league.  If elected Mayor, do you have any plans to expand recreational programs for Village residents?

West Ward & Sewage Treatment

The West ward has complained about smells from the sewage treatment plant for years and yet this has never been addressed.  Recently the Village Board voted to spend more than $500,000 for repairs that may be necessary but that do not address the issues that effect West Ward residents.  What are
the specific issues surrounding the treatment plant and is there any solution
that could move the plant or improve on the processing so that it
doesn't stink so much? If you are elected Mayor would you consider closing the Sewage Treatment Plant and using the new plant in Hillburn, remodeling it to be more efficient or building a new plant from scratch?

Downtown Revitalization

The residents have separated the Orange Avenue Project and Downtown Revitalization into two separate and distinct issues.  The generally feeling is this:  Downtown revitalization is a here and now issue that requires immediate attention while the Orange Avenue Project is something that is a longer-term issue in light of current economic conditions.  What are your plans to attract new upscale businesses, foot traffic and shoppers to our downtown area?

Tilcon Quarry Property & Quarry Ridge Development.  

What is your position on the current proposal by a developer to develop 500 units on this property?  Under the best case scenario when Suffern had control over this property, what do you think should happen with this property?

Orange Avenue 

Describe your vision for Orange Avenue.  Do you feel that the current plan on the table takes in to account the best interests of the Village?

Flood Remediation 

It has been 10 years since Hurricane Floyd devastated this area, Squires Gate residents were especially hit hard. Since that event NOTHING has been done for flood remediation. What do YOU propose to do regarding this issue?

Road Repairs and O&R

What's the budget and timing for repairing roads?  We have lots of sink holes and pot holes, and O&R never came back to re-pave the streets after they dug them up to install new gas lines.  Who's responsible for getting O&R to come back and "leave a place the way they found it?" 

Character, Experience & Change

You both have had leadership experience in the Village of Suffern. 

Mr. LaCorte, you have been on the Village Board for almost four years and were deputy Mayor for three of those four years.  During that time you voted with Mayor John Keegan more than 95% of the time. 

Mr. Giannettino you were Mayor of this Village for two years.  During your tenure Village employees unionized and labor practices you advocated were later found by PERB to have violated the village’s work rules and fair labor practice.  The voters want to know what is going to be different if you are elected Mayor of the Village of Suffern.

And the question we didn't ask? 

One person actually wanted us to ask the famous Bill Clinton question...

Boxers or Briefs?   We erred on the side of caution and decided not to go there.