WHY I'M RUNNING

People come together here.  They help each other and care about our community. They work together to preserve a "small town feeling", to have a Farmers Market and Tree Lighting and Car Shows and (record setting) Parades. They get involved with our Resource Center, our Churches, our Charities.

But somehow, people shy away from being involved in our Village Government and worse, many people have stopped paying attention. 

I've heard so many of you say... "What's the point?  They never listen." or "The same people just do what they want with no input."  or "I tried but they treated me like I was their enemy."  I've experienced this firsthand...and I'm the Chairman of the Planning Board!

We have to start somewhere and Village Government has to take the first steps.  

That's what "Leadership that Listens" is all about.  

It means working your tail off to engage the entire community on issues like our water and our budget and our court. It means making an extra effort to explain things in detail (and not complaining if you have to explain it in multiple places.)  It means reaching out with joy and purpose...not with anger and mistrust. 

And it means valuing the voices of regular neighbors more than "the old boy network." Not caring what political party someone joins if they have a good idea about making the Village better.  Remembering our community is everyone: renters, merchants (no matter where they live) and visitors. It means working productively with the Town. 

And no, it does not mean responding to every "keyboard cowboy" on Facebook who tries to get everyone angry for no good reason.  We can drown those people out with our patience and our good intentions. 

And change the culture of our Village Government  or, I'll exhaust myself trying.  Then we can begin to find new blood for committees, get more woman and young people involved, hold open houses for new residents, find Block Representatives and Community Advocates who have no "vested interests".  

Then we can have the same involvement and cooperation that make all those other aspects of Pawling so great.  Getting it done is what I'm passionate about.   

All of that happens when people feel heard.

I can't do it alone.  People who know me know how hard I work -- they know about research I do before saying a word -- the way I seek input from lots of people. They know I welcome tough questions and am not afraid to ruffle a feather if I have to in order to help our Village. They know I always have time to explain or share what is going on with a project or an issue or a local law.  What I need is your help.  Your ideas and support.  I need your vote.

If you want to know more, look around this site.   Or click here to  LEARN MORE