Woodbury Town elections

Residents in Woodbury will elect town and village officials on Nov. 3. Here are the responses to the questions posed by the Photo News. The answers appear in alphabetical order:

Supervisor: Ralph CarusoBiography

I have lived in Woodbury 45 years and have been married to Jeanette for 49 years; we have four children and 11 grandchildren.

I am the current Town Supervisor and Chief Fiscal Officer, and a former town councilman, member of the Board of Police Commissioners, Board of Health, Zoning Board of Appeals, Architectural Review Board and Human Rights Commission.

I also held the positions of Superintendent of Operations MTA, New York State Senate Staff, Notary Public, along with servicing in the U.S. Naval Air, and hold a Bachelor of Science Degree. I am presently or formerly a member of 12 community organizations.

What is the most critical issue facing Woodbury?

There are many issues - Annexations (Litigate), Property Taxes (Manage the Budget), KJ Pipeline (Fight the County and State), a Potential Construction and Demolition Processing Plant (Deny Approval), Traffic and Pollution (Expedite Route 17 and 32 Interchange Construction) and there are more issues.

Candidate statement
Throughout my term of office, I have looked for ways to make our community quality of life better. I helped parents to change a dangerous school bus route. I arranged to remove Beaver Dams to stop flooding, planned dog park improvements. Developed a strategy to install a much needed emergency vehicle access road. There is more to do, and with your support, I plan to help move the town forward.

Supervisor: David SutzBiography

My wife, Maria, and I have lived in Woodbury for over 24 years raising our four children here. I am an active volunteer EMT with our Ambulance Corps for over 18 years as well as an active member of the Woodbury Community Association. I am a Franchisee and was elected to represent New York on the Government Relations Committee which has enabled me to work with Senators and Congressmen from both sides in D.C. Having served as Village Trustee for the past three terms afforded me the opportunity to work with and meet other local elected officials. These are some of the skill sets I believe will be critical to the future of Woodbury.

What is the most critical issue facing Woodbury?

While serving on the Village Board we have successfully fought and won an annexation attempt and will continue to fight any annexation attempts. I will continually look to attract new commercial businesses to increase revenues for the town to mitigate the tax burden on our residents. I will continue to meet with state officials to seek mitigation regarding traffic concerning the 131 interchange.

Candidate statement
As your town supervisor I will encourage open dialogue between all board members to repair the broken communications that now exist allowing for better solutions.

Town Board (elect two)Timothy Arone

Republican incumbent
Biography
My wife Pam, our two daughters and I have called Woodbury our home since 2002. Being part of a community means being involved: coaching MWUSC soccer, active in the Woodbury Community Association; Highland Lakes HOA Board officer; and Smith Clove Elementary PTA Treasurer.

I have over 18 years of leadership and team building experience in the insurance industry, currently serving as VP for a national insurance company where I manage a diverse staff and a multi-million dollar budget. I hold both BS and MBA degrees and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army Reserve, attaining the rank of captain.

What is the most critical issue facing Woodbury?

A primary issue is annexation. We faced an annexation attempt during my first term; I made it a priority to successfully defend Woodbury. I pledge to aggressively fight annexation attempts while continuing to forge strong relationships with our neighboring municipalities to unite on this issue. I will work to build and strengthen an expanding coalition. I will work with the Village to monitor and contain costs, especially during the transition of the Highway Department to the Village.

Candidate statement
I have committed these past four years to protect our community and diligently serve you. I seek your vote to continue to represent you.

Michael Essig
Democrat
Biography
Together with my wife, son and daughter, I have called Woodbury home for twelve years. My volunteer work has included the Board of Directors for Hudson Valley Easter Seals, establishing a food pantry outreach programs and the M-W Boosters. Having over 27 years in law enforcement, I am currently the president of the NYS Fraternal Order of Police, where I manage the state office and a multi-million-dollar annual budget, and presently serve on the Orange County District Attorney’s Advisory Committee. Formerly, I was chairman of the Homeland Security Advisory of the 19th Congressional District.

What is the most critical issue facing Woodbury?

In the absence of an annexation attempt, Woodbury’s most critical issue is the updating of our infrastructure. Although the majority of the physical infrastructure rests with the Village, the police and parks departments remain with the Town. I will ensure proper budgeting to fund the highest level of training and equipment for our police professionals, and continued maintenance and modernization of our parks facilities.

Candidate statement
My career has provided me with the skills to work well with others, problem-solve, develop fiscally responsible budgets and negotiate contracts; attributes I believe necessary to becoming an effective councilperson and good steward of the Town.

Michael Pastel
Democrat
Biography

I have lived in Woodbury for 30 years. I am a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry and an adjunct professor of chemistry at Ramapo College of New Jersey. I served on the Woodbury Parks & Recreation Commission for 10 years.

What is the most critical issue facing Woodbury?

We now have two governments with two administrations, each dealing with the strain on resources, water and sewage, increased traffic and the encroachment of a neighboring municipality with the goal of developing high-density housing.

Candidate statement
I will help guide the continuing change while preserving Woodbury as a family-friendly community. The current board has fallen short with respect to fostering unity of our community. My specific goals to address our unmet needs are to:

• Improve communication and cooperation between the Town and Village to strengthen the sense of a unified community in Woodbury. Enhancing home rule is an important step since it would increase our autonomy with respect to state regulations.

• Reduce overhead costs and coordinate the budget process between the Town and Village to eliminate redundancies and enhance efficiency. Home rule would allow synchronizing the fiscal years.

Marilyn (Lyn) Prestia, Republican incumbent

Biography
My name is Marilyn (Lyn) Prestia, Councilwoman and Deputy Supervisor in the Town of Woodbury. I am a 20-year Woodbury resident and a 50-year Orange County resident. My husband Ron is a retired NYC Police Officer and our children are attending M-WCSD.

Member of the HMFC Ladies Auxiliary, Women of Woodbury, Citizens for the Preservation of Woodbury and strongly support Preserve Hudson Valley’s mission. I am connected to community organizations that are respected, verified, and credible. I am not associated with questionable unknown leadership.

My comprehensive experience as a school program director includes financial analysis, procurement, maintenance, government regulations and overseeing staff of 50 in seven school buildings. My prior experience in the East Ramapo School District results in firsthand knowledge that is beneficial. These elements come together to better get things accomplished.

What is the most critical issue facing Woodbury?

The critical issues facing Woodbury are Annexation, KJ Pipeline and Negative Environmental Impacts. As Councilwoman, I am engaged in analyzing, strategizing and acting on these issues and have a proven track record fighting for Woodbury.

I voted “no” to override the property tax cap on October 15, 2015, and will not support any future tax cap overrides.

I am self-funded and refuse to take contributions from consultants or other business associates of the town.

Candidate statement
No person is any more equal than another. Being Town of Woodbury Councilwoman since 2011, I understand the mission of being a public servant and seek re-election offering my values, experience and commitment to preserve and revitalize Woodbury and the Hudson Valley for our current and future generations. Please remember to vote on November 3, 2015.