From a media release by the One Community Party:
NEW PALTZ – March 25, 2011 – The One Community Party today submitted petitions for the Village of New Paltz election. Pete Healey is running for Mayor, and Trustee candidates Sally M. Rhoads and Martin Sherow are seeking four-year terms. Trustee candidate Stewart P. Glenn is seeking a two-year term, filling the seat vacated by Patrick O’Donnell and currently held by appointee Robert Feldman. The petitioning period began February 15 and the final day to submit completed petitions is March 29.
While only 100 valid signatures are required for ballot access, the One Community Party gathered over twice that, submitting 247 signatures to the Village Clerk. “Petitioning has never been so easy,” Healey stated. “It is clear that people are ready and eager to see the unification process move forward. We came out early as a full slate with an agenda that is clear and focused. Our platform is current, relevant, and receiving a great response at front doors all over this village. Nearly everyone I have spoken to has indicated that unification is a top priority, and this election will serve as an early referendum on the issue.”
The creation of the One Community Party is directly related to the ongoing study of unification options for New Paltz. The party is the only slate of candidates who have announced their intentions to support the study’s Working Group and Community Advisory Committee, ensuring that the efforts generated by the Local Government Efficiency Grant will not be in vain.
In addition to unification, the One Community Party is developing a broad platform which focuses heavily on transparency, quality of life, and community participation. Glenn explained, “We intend for the Village Board to be responsive, responsible, open and accountable in our dealings with the public. This will encourage volunteers who are the backbone of our government. Community members should be treated as partners, not adversaries.” The strategies to recruit and retain volunteers will initiate with the Fire Department and be extended to all committees and commissions.
When asked about challenging petitions, Sherow noted, “In the spirit of democracy, the One Community Party will not be submitting challenges to any petitions. We would like to win this race in the open, and anyone wishing to run for office should be supported in their efforts to do so. There has been far too much secrecy and negativity in New Paltz politics for many years, and we are committed to demonstrating the values of our administration from the very beginning.” According to Village Clerk Amanda Erikson, general challenges must be submitted by March 30, with a detailed challenge filed by April 1.
“The Village elections shouldn’t be about who you are, where you live, or what party you belong to. We are a diverse slate representing diverse interests and will work together to serve the interests of the entire community,” said Rhoads. “Our communications with each other and the public will be characterized by civility, respect, and honesty. This is the only way to find common ground and, quite frankly, the only way government can run effectively.”
To learn more, visit the slate website at www.OneCommunityNewPaltz.com. The Village of New Paltz election will be held on May 3, 2011 at the New Paltz Firehouse, 25 Plattekill Ave., from 12:00pm until 9:00pm.
Although the entire slate hasn’t endorsed the concept yet, I spoke to a group of Property Owners/Landlords earlier this week about all the issues in this campaign, and when asked if I had a “personal agenda”, I told them I wanted a unified government to use cumulative voting to elect our council. One couple in attendance was very favorable to this idea because the husband was born in Germany and really understood proportional elections and they both were very interested and enthusiastic. And so it begins…