What positions/experiences/skills do you believe will make you a competent councilman?
My ability to work with others, my experiences in agriculture, retail, manufacturing and real estate all help in various ways. My experiences with business negotiations and contracts have been reflected upon often, and I am proud to say that I have been on the labor contract negotiation team for the past three labor contracts that have been completed. I get involved, plain and simple.
What is your opinion of the draft Comprehensive Plan in light of recent concerns/criticisms coming from Scenic Hudson and others?
I believe the Comprehensive Plan Committee did a great job overall. I know how hard they worked. Personally, I feel the concerns about the plan are not justified. We have a huge economic concern for this town, this county, this state and the nation as a whole moving forward. We need to focus on what I feel is the priority: the people of this community and the future generations that may want to stay here and make it their home, for the seniors that want to finish their lives in the community for which they, and in a lot of cases the generations before them, grew up in. The New York State Environmental Quality Review Act is one of the most stringent processes any development in this country has to go through; almost all concerns with any proposed development are addressed when going through this process. We have a great building department and currently the most competent Planning Board that this town has ever had — which is important, because we all need to be moving in the same direction trying to accomplish a common goal.
How do you believe Highland can best harness ecotourism with the half-million visitors coming to the Walkway Over the Hudson each year, as well as the extensions to your rail trail and the soon-to-be-opened Highland Landing Park along the Hudson River to bring business/dollars into town?
We need to create an inviting environment. This goes for residents, tourists and most importantly businesses. We can accomplish this through zoning, expansion of town utilities and be proactive with proposed developments.
What do you see as the top three greatest challenges facing the Town of Lloyd right now?
1) Economics is the biggest challenge this town, as many other towns, face now and in the future.
2) Capturing the many opportunities that the Walkway can bring to our town and our economy.
3) Developing a more balanced tax base, so we all can afford to live here (see 1 & 2).
If elected, what would be your two top priorities?
My two top priorities would be to balance our tax base through commercial development and to work with all departments in town, including the school district, neighboring townships, in any way that many benefit us through shared services. Challenging times require open communication!
Frank Lombardi
Frank Lombardi was nominated by the Democratic Party to run for one of two seats on the Town Board this November.
Why did you decide to run for town councilman?
I was the highway superintendent for the Town of Lloyd for more than 20 years. I hung around for a few years, laying low, but now I believe it’s time for me to get back involved, serve on the Town Board to see what I can do for this community. I was the oldest active superintendent of highways in the State of New York (86 years old) when I retired. If I win this election, I will be 91 when my term is up. If I feel good, like I do now, I’ll run again!
What positions/experiences/skills do you believe will make you a competent councilman?
I was born and raised in Highland. I left when I was 18 to join the Army and fight for our country in World War II. After I received an honorable discharge when the war ended, I came back to Highland and worked at the business my Dad started: Lombardi & Sons, Inc. Running a contracting business, employing 80 people, managing money and contracts and personnel, all gave me skills and experiences that I can bring to the Town Board. As the highway superintendent, I also know this town inside and out. I know a lot about business, a lot about how to run things effectively; and I care about the people of this town. This is my home and I want to do whatever I can to help the community I love and care so much about.
