Economic Development.
If they don't come, let’s go to them.
Our sagging national economy has put additional pressure on our local economy, It has become obvious that solutions that worked in the past are not working now. We cannot sit idle and wait for opportunity to knock. If we do it may a very long wait. I support inventorying all our commercial properties and take a pro-active position in promoting them based on their facilities, location and related information and assess what types of businesses it could attract. I believe that strategically marketing these opportunities to specific businesses and industries would best utilize what is available. I often drive down Kings Highway and pass by the old IBM facility and know these areas and buildings still hold great potential for new job growth. A great deal must be done to rebuild our local economy and I suggest this can be a big part of a solution.

Accessibility to County Government.
Your voice is important.
Direct dialogue from the community is essential in assessing our county government's impact on our district. If it is working we can improve it, if it is not we need to immediately begin to resolve it. I want to insure constituents continued access to their government.
In our new form of government a great deal of input is now routed directly to our County Executive. I believe that this monumental change was necessary and I have a great deal of confidence in this new charter. It allows for more accountability and it has proven to be more efficient way to govern. While the role of the legislator has changed due to this new way of governing, I intend to be a strong voice for the people I would represent. The people of this district deserve the confidence their voices will always be heard. As a legislator I would make it a priority.

Community Involvement
We all could have a role in government.
As a high school teacher I have been painfully aware of the disconnect between my students and local government. There are no real outlets for young adults to become more involved in the political process that governs their future. I was fortunate to have a family that was very much involved in public service and who taught me the importance of such work. They have inspired me to help bring about positive change in my community through public service and I hope to do the same for other young adults.

The lowest voter turnout is between the ages of 18-24. What we cannot forget is that these students and young adults are potentially tomorrow’s business owners, community members and future leaders. The decisions that are being made at every level of government are greatly affecting this particular age group and their ability to attend college, find jobs and become productive citizens. I believe it is imperative that this age group become more active in government, especially at the local level, so that we can continue to find good leadership and commitment to the public from within our community.

Keeping it local
Bringing home skills and technology.
Many residents have voiced concerns that their sons and daughters are going off to college only to return and find they cannot find work, nor can they afford housing in the place they want to live. Ultimately their fresh new skills must find a livelihood elsewhere.
I would support a 'full circle' initiative to give our skilled work force a fair shot and a good place to work for a decent wage and the ability to afford a home and provide for a family. This would forge a commitment between businesses and students to assure a well trained work force in exchange for good jobs.

Accountability
The County Jail: The mistake that keeps on taking.
Although all the headlines are now all but gone the legacy of bad leadership, corruption and the residual payments for the next 3 decades has left an understandably bad feeling in most voters. The tax payers of Ulster County are currently paying 6 million dollars every year plus interest for this mistake that no one has had to answer for. Millions of dollars were being wastefully spent and that has become the unfortunate legacy of the previous Ulster County leadership. We cannot let something like this happen again. I will ensure that your tax dollars are being spent appropriately.