By Jonann Brady
Seven of the eight candidates showed for the forum (only Brian O'Connor, who was out of town, was not present), and despite some clear differences of opinion between the contenders, very little mud was slung and the speakers stuck to their respective messages.
Sponsored by the Baldwin Community Association and moderated by the League of Women Voters, the two-hour event gave each candidate three minutes for an opening and closing statement. Before the forum, members of the audience had a chance to write questions which each candidate had a chance to answer. Representatives from the League of Women voters went through the questions and removed any they deemed inappropriate, personal in nature or directed toward a single candidate. About 50 residents attended the forum, held at the Coral House.
For Forte, the message was that the district is in the midst of great improvements thanks to the current board; Thar said she was a networker and a "hands-on team player" who would speak for the people; Cools said the district needed someone with "fresh ideas and a young mind" to help make innovations.
For the first question of the evening, candidates were asked what the most pressing issue for the district was. Cools, Thar and Forte all said that beefing up code enforcement was their major concern, though Forte said the district had already made some strides in reforming code enforcement rules. Thar said she would make personal vistas to businesses and publicly highlight those businesses that both followed the rules and those that did not. Expanding on that theme later in the evening, Cools said more summonses need to be issued and personnel on call 24 hours a day.
The two-year candidates parted ways on what they saw as the district's most pressing issue, and their answers reflected their messages.
Throughout the evening, Gilchrist reiterated his platform that Roosevelt needs representation, and there was no need for Baldwin to have all five seats on the board. Payne said that enhancing service and investigating the system of part-time and full-time employees topped his list. With his background negotiating contracts for the Department of Defense, Payne said he brings strong fiscal experience to the board.
Degen echoed her theme of "reform, reform, reform" by instituting fair hiring and promotional practices and eliminating budgetary waste. Rose reminded the audience that the job of Sanitary District No. 2 was "getting the garbage from the curb to the truck," but said the board needs to reach out to other organizations to take on quality-of-life issues and make the district "the jewel" of the system.
The candidates often built on each other's ideas as the night progressed. When asked how the district could inform residents of rules, Gilchrist, Payne and Thar said networking with community groups was key. Degen suggested getting new residents names from the Board of Elections, Cools suggested sending flyers home with school children, and Rose said the district should issue a magnet that said "Call Bertha [the district secretary] at 223-3207."
One light moment came when the candidates were asked how much they spent on their campaigns and if the sanitation race should have to follow campaign finance rules. All said they spent from personal funds.
"If I had more, I would have spent more," said Gilchrist, to laughter.
Rose later joked his campaign was particularly cheap since his "signs are recycled from all these years of running."
One the issue of money, candidates were also asked how costs could be controlled in the district. Cools said that "contract negotiation is key," as well as looking at making recycling profitable and lowering insurance costs. Thar said "comparison shopping" for things like insurance policies and health benefits could help lower costs. Forte said the district already saves money by maintaining the lowest number of full-time employees and applying for grants from the state.
Gilchrist said that despite mandates from the state and higher property taxes the district has done its best to keep costs down. Payne said that once in office, he would be able to assess the budget.
Degen said that the district is saddled with its current tax rate because of "years of abuse," and she called for looking at the cost of leased vehicles and possibly phasing out certain supervisory positions.
Rose said that service was his main concern and the tax rate could be maintained by negotiating better contracts but most likely would not fall.
Whether highlighting past experience, personality or their platforms, each candidate maintained they knew the district, cared about the district and would work to improve it. Voters will have the final say on Thursday, July 25. Residents can call 516-569-4000 ext. for results on Friday morning.
