The election is almost upon us! It has been encouraging speaking with you in the last few days as we tried to arrange a forum for the candidates to appear together before the voters and respond to key pre-submitted questions on our community. Our discussions and the submitted questions agree well with what they should cover, so they are now summarized below.

Thinking back to when you were a cub reporter for Freddy Brennan and I was serving with him on the Planning Board, then later when I served for years with the News’ owner on the Orange County Planning Board, a great man we called Connie Eristoff - both of whom you worked for - it seems we have come full circle. Unfortunately, many challenges then are still with us now.

Although knowing all the mayors from King James, Inga, Benny Eazetta, to Pat Flynn and Joe D’Onofrio, I have tried to stay out of politics. But this election, with three clear choices that seem to lead in three different directions, needs more clarity. We were fortunate to find a superb moderator from the League of Women’s Voters, the group that specializes in helping with such events. But when we approached the Village Board meeting last Monday, hoping the Board itself would sponsor the event at the Senior Center, it was a raucous night and the Mayor asked to meet the next day instead. The Village review and vote to waive the insurance requirement has delayed beyond when you could announce the event in the News. So - we took a vote here at the Cliff Haus, 27 Webb Lane, and Charlie Murphy-Dodson has agreed to have an open house from 2- 4 p.m. on Sunday the 16th where the candidates can greet the public and, if willing, respond to questions:

1) What is the biggest challenge to our Village? What is your vision to overcome it, and take us forward?

2) How can we market ourselves? - Bring more attractive businesses that also attract the public, lower taxes, and help us to be the quaint village on a world-class riverside setting next to one of the three biggest attractions in the state, that we rightfully should be?

3) How do we partner with our neighbors? - How can we improve relations and finish combining services (Police?) to save taxes with our sister town government we also support, and the huge Big Brother to our north that now seems intent on buying up Main St. (while promising to help us)?

All are invited to join us at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16. Best parking is at the municipal lot, then walk down Webb Lane to the last house on the left at the bridge. Candidates who come (one so far has committed) can put their signs at the top of the driveway if they wish. Still a chance we might entice our Moderator, even though it is now just an informal gathering on the river.