GOALS FOR COPAKE

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

DEMOCRATIC PARTY SUPPORTED CANDIDATE'S GOALS FOR COPAKE

I've been observing the actions of the Republican-controlled Town Board in Copake for the past three and a half years, and I find that the Republican majority has lost sight of the needs of the residents of the Town.  We need change in Copake.  We need to avoid large tax increases and an inability to pay for unexpected expenses.  Copake now faces another financial crisis with no plan in place to resolve the issues.   We need long range financial planning as well as sound planning for the future of Copake as proposed in the recently released final draft of the Comprehensive Plan.  We do not need to act in panic and plug the holes with stopgap financial measures as they arise.

The Democratic Party supported candidates are the ones who are best capable of the kind of forward-thinking  leadership Copake so desperately needs.  They are running on a ten point platform to bring change to Copake.  Look at their plans and see for yourself:

1. Develop a five year financial plan to avoid large future tax increases;

2. Modernize our Town Hall systems and record keeping to achieve savings in money,

     time and space, and improve service to residents;

3. Assure fair and equitable assessments for all;

4. Encourage community and business participation in community revitalization;

5. Support development of Copake as a sustainable, environmentally protected community

6. Help to make alternate energy available to all residents;

7. Preserve farmland as part of our community heritage;

8. Conserve the former Copake Green property as open space;

9. Assure open meetings and community dialog, and increase public participation in town government;

10.Develop initiatives to keep our seniors and veterans active within the Town.

Say no with your votes, to the Republican approach toward governing.  Let's not repeat the mistakes of the recent past with borrowed funds and deficits in our budget.  Vote for the Democratic Party supported candidates for the Town in the November election and bring needed change and improvement to Town government.

Morris Ordover

Copake NY