Silo Ridge - Millerton News

10/16/2008 - Amenia candidates face off

Millerton News
Amenia candidates face off
By CORY ALLYN
10/16/2008

November 4 is Election Day across the country, but locally there is only one election this year, and that's in Amenia. Town Supervisor Wayne Euvrard's empty Town Board seat was filled by Joel Pelkey last year, but the unfinished term (one year still remains) is up for actual election this year. Both candidates were contacted to stop by The Millerton News for an interview. Incumbent Joel Pelkey's interview follows, but Sharon Kroeger opted to instead submit a press release.

Pelkey looking to stay in office





AMENIA — Democrat Joel Pelkey is originally from Dover, and has lived in Amenia for around 15 years. He is the foreman for the town of Dover's Highway Department and also the assistant chief of the Amenia Fire Company, where he has volunteered for more than 10 years. He is also on the town's Rescue Squad. He is married and has two daughters (ages 17 and 14) and a 9-year-old son.

Last year Pelkey lost in the primaries with five people running, but was still appointed for a one-year term after Wayne Euvrard was elected town supervisor.

"The first year is more of a learning experience for anyone that does this," Pelkey said. "Coming from a background in politics and being around it my whole life [Pelkey's uncle ran for state Assembly back in the 1970s and his father was his "right hand man"], the big change is that you're the person sitting in the seat now. You do what the town wants and not necessarily what you'd like to see happen. "

If elected, Pelkey's two main goals for the upcoming year would be to see Silo Ridge and the Wassaic hamlet plan put in place.

"They should have been done before this current term was up," Pelkey said. "The town is going to benefit so much from Silo Ridge. Being a family man, kids are looking for jobs and they're going to provide them. [Silo Ridge] has been doing everything the town wants them to do, and going above and beyond, in fact. The wastewater treatment plant they're offering is huge. Nobody else is going to offer that. "

With the economy as it is, Pelkey said that one of his main concerns is keeping taxes down.

"We're currently working on the budget so people can still afford the other high-priced things. I don't want the town to be the reason they're struggling. I'd like to see the kids live in a town they grew up in. It's a tough thing to do nowadays with the economy, and everybody thinks the answer is to raise taxes, but that's not me.

"I hate to see the town buying things that aren't necessary, especially at a  time like this," Pelkey said. "The one thing that I was initially opposed to was the Mechanic Street repairs. I didn't feel the bids were right and it wasn't the time to be spending the money doing that kind of thing. Thankfully the new bids came in and we saved a lot of money. You also have to keep in mind that we've received a $100,000 grant, and that would be a terrible thing if it went to waste. "

During his current term, one of the major projects Pelkey has been spearheading is the cleanup of Webatuck Creek. He has been working to clean up the beaver dams and debris that was left by the heavy rains and floods last fall.

In the end, Pelkey said he always tries to vote with his conscience.

"Every vote I make is from listening to the people," he said. "I don't just base it on my own thoughts. I listen to everybody. That's the way I am. I like to see the people get what they want, as long as it's not hurting the town. I'm here for the people. I know everybody says that, but I actually mean it. "

Kroeger seeking board position





AMENIA — Republican Sharon D. Kroeger has been an Amenia resident since 1972. She was born in Sharon, Conn. For the last 15 years she has been the proprietor of Calsi's General Store in the hamlet of Wassaic, which sells groceries and health foods.

Kroeger is concerned with several issues on the local town level. She said in a press release that she believes there should be no further consolidation of elementary schools "in order to preserve quality education. "

Also, as part of flood protection, "there should be a new town law to require all future parking lots in Amenia to be built of permeable materials to prevent run-off into the rivers, including those to be built by Metro-North Railroad. "

On the Dutchess County level, Kroeger places top priority on the Amenia Union Bridge.

"From now until the repairs are finished there should be actual enforcement of the newly posted weight limits," her press release said. She believes that if the bridge is damaged any further, it should be limited to automobiles, school buses and emergency vehicles only.

"County transportation planners had not initially been adequately aware of the strategic nature of this bridge over Mill Stream as it affects two school districts, four ambulance districts and three volunteer fire companies," her press release stated. "It is on one of the few roads for which there is no real detour and interstate planning is necessary. "

On a state level, Kroeger wishes to join Amenia with other local towns that are trying to amend New York state law that currently prohibits local speed limits of less than 30 mph, "so that small towns can protect their residential areas more effectively. "

Kroeger also advocates that the viewshed from De Lavergne Hill, which is designated as a local scenic road, should receive a New York state scenic by-way designation as well.

When it comes to economics, Kroeger believes that making priorities is necessary to alleviate any negative effect that an economic crisis could have on the area.

"The Amenia town budget [should] not be allowed to increase, and all elected officials should lower their own salaries if necessary, in order to avoid budget increases," Kroeger stated. "However, the salaries of the town's professional staff, which has been hired to maintain the functioning quality of government, should hold steady. This is no time for elected politicians to claim they should be paid for ‘what they are worth,' but rather to institute a new era of ‘necessary volunteerism. '"


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