Registered voters in Highland Falls are asked to vote for mayor and two trustees on Tuesday, March 18, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center, 15 Drew Ave., Highland Falls.

There are three candidates running for mayor, and four candidates running for two trustee positions.

Jim DiSalvo, Pat Flynn and Carol Spisso are the mayoral candidates; Jennifer Gargiulo, Aleena Olivia, Sallie Dorsch and Peter Carroll are the trustee candidates. Carroll currently sits on the board in an appointed one-year term. Flynn is a former mayor of Highland Falls, and DiSalvo currently sits on the board as a trustee, with two years left on his term.

The News of the Highlands asked the candidates to use the following question as a writing prompt, to give voters one last bit of information on them and their candidacies. We thank them for their responses to our question. It is:

What is your vision for Highland Falls in the next two years, and how will you work with your fellow board members to achieve that?

Pat Flynn
(We The People)
I want a Highland Falls that my boys want to come back to live in. We have lost so many people because we are not offering a better village.

Taxes need to come down. We need to lower our debt. Will do this by proper management of our funds and departments. This is what we did when we were in, and we lowered taxes, funded empty reserve funds and stayed below the tax cap all four years. We can do it again.

Our infrastructure needs attention. We must plan now for a complete rebuild and work with our state federal and county partners to put the money together. Work with the Chamber of Commerce to improve our business community. Rebuild relationships with the town, West Point, county, state and federal governments. With good relations comes much needed help.

Better communication, so more people are aware of great things already happening in our community. Actually listen to the residents to understand what they want. Put together a comprehensive master plan and actually follow through.

We don’t need everyone to like everyone to get this done, but we do need to admit that there is a lot of work to accomplish to have a better village. What is in place now is not working. We need a positive change.

Carol Spisso
(Working For You)
My vision for the Village of Highland Falls over the next two years is both vibrant & sustainable, fostering economic growth, improving infrastructure and strengthening our sense of community.

I will prioritize the revitalization of Main Street, promoting small businesses and bringing a solid marketing plan to attract new investments. By highlighting the unique charm of our village, we can bring in new opportunities, create jobs, and enhance the local economy. Promoting tourism will help us showcase Highland Falls’ rich history to a broader audience. Expanding employment opportunities, especially for young adults and individuals with disabilities, will be a top priority. This includes supporting workforce development programs and fostering local job growth. I will work to improve our infrastructure by creating transportation, enhancing internet connectivity & cell service. Building better relationships with the Town of Highlands, West Point and neighboring communities will be essential for funding key initiatives.

Collaboration with the Board will be key in achieving these goals. I am committed to leading with integrity, respect, transparency, and a commitment to progress.

By fostering productive discussions and seeking common ground, we can implement smart policies that serve the best interests of all village residents, making these initiatives a reality.

Jim DiSalvo
(Highland Falls First)

My vision for Highland Falls is a collaboration of local government and community -- Main Street businesses working hand in hand to provide goods and services to the community. Highland Falls can be a destination for visitors to come, stay, spend money and enjoy their visit to the Gateway of West Point and the Hudson Valley. They will enjoy our Hometown USA, seeing our vistas and perhaps fall in love with our community and want to call it home.

We will work hand in hand with all investors to bolster our Main Street and Business District. We will nurture our relationship with Orange County Tourism and Economic Development and engage them as a partners to build a more vibrant Main Street.

Highland Falls needs a team with the experience, relationships, passion and the ability to work with our neighbors and partners in government to maximize our potential.

Each member of the ticket has unique knowledge about small business, finance and government. Together with the rest of the board, we will build consensus and move a positive agenda forward. We have the ability and the capacity to make great things happen. Supporting Highland Falls First will bring this vision to life.

Jennifer Gargiulo
(Highland Falls First)
My goal is in our community’s shared vision of transforming our Main Street into a thriving and welcoming hub of activity, by prioritizing investment in small businesses and establishing a Village business owner advisory group, to serve as liaison for potential investors. I envision our village as a charming destination that shows its unique character throughout the year and motion to bring back some of our most beloved holiday celebrations. To achieve this, as a team, we will adopt a comprehensive approach that includes upgrading infrastructure and public education, implementing smart parking solutions, offering incentives for facade renovations, and launching initiatives to revitalize vacant lots and buildings, while creating focus groups to better prioritize the respectful engagement of our Village Board meetings.

As a unified board we will host regular ‘Town Halls’ to keep our community engaged and informed about our progress. We will maintain a robust and cost-efficient village police force and promote community partnerships to eliminate redundancies and overlap of programming. As passion often clashes with personalities, it is with maturity that a board works in unison to the collective goal of being of service, this our only option in securing our future while preserving our historic value.

Aleena Olivia

(We The People)
What’s my vision for our future? I’m sure the same as everyone else. Options. Somewhere to shop for a last-minute gift, somewhere to grab a quick bite, somewhere else to have a nice sit-down dinner. Programs and places for kids, seniors and maybe even us middle-aged folks too. Establishments for those fresh to the work force or those who need a job they can walk to.

Maybe, we start smaller. I want to be able to look out my front door and not see a sea of trash cans. I want to be able to drive through my hometown and see my tax dollars. I want to know that when I have a problem, there is someone there to talk to, to help find a solution.

So how do we get there?
As a middle sister of three girls and a mother of two teens, I have been a

mediator my whole life. I had someone tell me recently that I was thinking too logically. I think it’s exactly that pragmatic thought process that’s needed in local government. As a mother, business owner and local landlord I bring those skills to the table. A team is needed to make positive change. Vote - We The People.

Sallie Dorsch
(We The People)
I have been reflecting on this question for quite some time, and here is what I envision for our community now and in the future. After the storm on July 9th, I often found myself standing outside of Sacred Heart, having just participated in meetings and discussions with the American Red Cross, local officials and state and federal representatives. It felt incredibly rewarding and uplifting to witness our magnificent community coming together—children and seniors alike. However, I was frequently reminded that such unity might not last, and I hoped it would.

During that time, we demonstrated that we were strong, efficient, knowledgeable, resourceful, and determined. Together, we made a difference. I never intended to be in a leadership role, yet so many looked to me for guidance.

My vision is to work together to strengthen our community, securing the resources needed to create an inviting environment for residents and visitors alike.

I believe in our team “We the People”- Pat Flynn, Aleena Olivia and myself . Together we have the combined knowledge and vision to bring the much needed improvements to our community. More importantly, we must celebrate our achievements along the way. Collaboration starts with an efficient board that not only communicates effectively but also respects one another and everyone in Highland Falls. Vote We the People

Peter Carroll
(Highland Falls First)
My vision for Highland Falls is to make sure we finish all the repairs and construction from the historic flood in 2023.

As water commissioner for the last year, I know that it is vital that we discuss the aging water pipe infrastructure. I will be working alongside VRI to address all concerns the public brings to our attention. Our first open house was March 1 at the water plant; next one is April 5. Subject will be water filters. We also can take calls at Village Hall to set up time and dates to inspect/discuss concerns about your water. The water coming into the plant needs very little treatment, and water coming out of the plant meets or exceeds all state and county health department requirements. However, due to our aging water pipes infrastructure, we need to replace these pipes as we can. Eventually we will have all new water pipes.

Secondly, I want to see Main Street like I remember it when I was growing up in Highland Falls. We need more restaurants and eateries, and shops. That will create more foot traffic on our streets. More tourists and outside dollars and new families will help create a pleasant environment.

Support the only team with the best experience and energy to make this vision a reality. Vote Highland Falls First.