What do you see as the top three greatest challenges facing the Town of Gardiner right now?
Attracting more businesses to help increase our tax base. I’d like to see more emphasis put on developing Steve’s Lane, which is zoned for businesses. Another challenge is trying to have enough people to become volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. It’s scary to see how our numbers have dwindled, and I want to do what I can to encourage people to become volunteers. It’s critical to have local emergency responders when it’s two in the morning and your baby has stopped breathing or your husband is having a heart attack. This is the backbone of our community and we need to increase these numbers to ensure our friends, family and neighbors’ safety.
Last but not least, I think that we need a maintenance schedule for our town-owned vehicles. I know we lost three of our big snowplow trucks this year. I think we need an established plan to put a certain amount of money aside in a fund every year, so that when we do need to purchase a new vehicle, it doesn’t create a large tax increase. Part of that plan would also require a maintenance schedule that is adhered to, so we’re not in the position of losing multiple vehicles at one time.
If elected, what would be your top two priorities?
Obviously my priorities would include the things I mentioned above. Beyond those, I’d like to tackle the financial end of things in our town. Last year I think the board came up with an 11 percent increase and then got it down to a six percent increase. That’s still a lot for people who own a home to handle. I understand that costs go up and there are certain fixed costs like insurance and union contracts that go up, as well as inflation; but I’m sure we can find a way to keep it to a two- or three-percent increase.
I’d also like to see a financial report given at each Town Board meeting so that your average citizen sees where their money is going. What are the expenditures? How much? That’s what happens at any fire department meeting: The treasurer gives a report, so everyone understands exactly what the money is being spent on, how much and why.
There are areas we also need to revisit, like the recycling center. After we got it all fixed up, we’re still in the red. Why? If it’s not breaking even or making the town money, maybe we need to look at it again and see what we can do better. How can we make it break even or be profitable?
David Dukler
David Dukler was endorsed by the Democrats to run for one of two seats on the Gardiner Town Board.
Why did you decide to run for the position of town councilperson?
After serving nine years on the school board, I needed a break from the intense involvement that it entailed. I had always wanted to continue in public service and after some downtime, I found a way to get reinvolved through participation on the Gardiner Library board. This year, when I discovered that there were going to be two seats opening on the Town Board, I felt it was the time for me to step up.
What positions/experiences/skills do you believe will make you a competent town councilperson?
My greatest skill is my ability to help people listen to each other and to develop effective working groups that are solution-focused. In my work, I had been a counselor, so helping people to listen to each other was what I did every day. On the school board I was able to establish working relationships with many of the members and build an effective team over my nine years. In my service on the library board, I am part of an extremely effective team where all members feel appreciated and valued. I have helped to craft an atmosphere where people feel comfortable making a contribution and are willing to take risks, which have served to enhance the functioning of the library. As a result, we have a highly effective board with wonderful working relationships. These skills will make me a highly effective and productive member of the Town Board, committed to effective problem-solving.
What are your thoughts on the possibility of Gardiner getting municipal water/sewer?
There is already a municipal sewage and water system in place. The possibility of an expansion of that system raises many questions: Why is there a need for expansion now? What is the build-out plan? How much is it going to cost? What is going to be the effect on the hamlet in terms of traffic, congestion and housing? What are going to be the tax implications of such a build-out? What will be the effect on town services at build-out? Who will benefit? What are the other concerns that arise out of such a project? What are the benefits? We need to be sure that this is an answer to a pressing problem, rather than a project in search of tax dollars.
