70°
BEDFORD, NY - The League of Women Voters held a candidate forum on Wednesday, allowing the Bedford Town Board contenders to speak directly to voters at Mary Lou Meese Theater in Fox Lane High School.
Incumbent Democrats Chris Burdick and David Gabrielson sat to defend and explain their accomplishments over the last four years, with candidate Luke Vander Linden expressing his wishes to give the Bedford government fresh ideas perspective.
For much of the night, Burdick and Gabrielson needed to answer questions about the 2% tax cap override they were involved in the passing of. As Burdick explained, the board was looking toward being tighter fiscally before the tax cap was put in place.
We came to those conclusions before the cap became law, we were moving towards that two percent, recognizing the strain that our residents have, Burdick said. We have to determine how were going to restructure our services. What is it that our residents want? We need to have even more of a dialogue with the community."
Communication was one of Vander Lindens chief topics discussed, declaring that the current Boards ways are not enough. We need to communicate with the voters and taxpayers a lot better. Sitting through a town board meeting isnt for everyone, Vander Linden said. But the people need to know what the towns doing, and what decisions are being made on behalf of each meeting.
Gabrielson countered, saying that the board is not trying to retain a bureaucracy, as Vander Linden claimed, but instead do what is best for the towns needs. Were interested in maintaining the services the people in the town depend on roads being paved, parks that will increase our property values, the police to keep us safe, the senior citizen program. It falls to us to balance all of it.
The general election will occur on Tuesday, November 8th from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Supervisor Lee V.A. Roberts and Judge Kevin Quaranta will also be up for re-election, but are running unopposed.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bedford and receive free news updates.
