Hi
I'm co chair of the Commons Advisory Board. I was elected to the Board of directors of the Downtown Ithaca Partnership and I served on its formation committee.
I'm running for Ithaca Town Board because I want to create an open and responsive local government in place of the narrow, self-serving group that runs our town like a private club, acting for their own special interests instead of for the good of the town as a whole. It's time for all of the town's neighborhoods to be represented, time for new ideas and for honest communication.
Under the current regime, residents of the town are forced to file formal Freedom of Information Law requests to review the Board minutes or examine the budget their taxes pay for. That's not how democratic government works and this is absolutely unacceptable. Why do our officials want tohide their actions from the people they serve? It's time to put an end to secret government.
The Town of Ithaca must also act promptly to address urgent development issues which they now ignore. The CIty of Ithaca is making changes on the town's border that threaten our neighborhoods and the rural character of the town. It is essential that we act in response to those threats, in order to protect the town our children will inherit.
Good government depends upon an active, informed citizenry and honest and responsive public servants. That's the kind of government I want for the Town of Ithaca and the kind of representative I will be. Please come to the polls on November 6 and help ensure that, together, we can achieve our goals.
