Goshen candidates field questions

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — Candidates running for Goshen town board had an opportunity to speak to the public at a recent Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting.
Two candidates are vying for town supervisor on Election Day, Nov. 7, and four are running for two seats on the town board.
Annmarie Rolo, who is running for town board, started things off. She grew up in Washingtonville and has lived in Goshen for 12 years. She has a wealth of work experience, including the last 14 years working with local attorney John Bach, and she has given much time to various community organizations. She helped form a woman’s theater group, Women in Arts, that has benefited local charities. The Green Party and Protect Goshen have endorsed her.
Brad Barnhorst, running for town supervisor, said he's looking to make town government easier to interact with through technology. “Goshen’s mired in strife,” he said, and his goal is “New ideas from a fresh perspective.” He has a master’s degree in chemical engineering and is currently working within the technology portion of the health care industry, integrating his company’s systems with those of his clients. Barnhorst is an 18-year Goshen resident who is running on the Democratic, Green, and Protect Goshen lines.
Richard Florio, running for town board, grew up in Chester and now lives in Goshen. He has worked in excavation for 30 years, which he said would be an asset to the town in handling environmental issues. He now has his own excavation business. He said he has the experience and the dedication needed to help the town prosper. Florio is running on the Republican and Independence Party lines.
Ken Newbold, town board incumbent, has 30 years of public service experience, starting with the Joint Recreation Commission from 1987 to 1997, and since 1997 as town councilman. “It’s an honor to serve the people in Goshen," he said. "I’m not hard to find — I’m always there where help is needed, like for a water main break or in a truck during a blizzard. I love this community. Newbold has lived in Goshen for 36 years. The Democratic Party and Conservative Party have endorsed Newbold.
Doug Bloomfield, seeking reelection as town supervisor, is a retired senior manager for Dupont Company. He grew up in Goshen and has been back for the last 37 years. As supervisor for the past 12 years and councilman for three years before that, he has strong experience credentials. On the town board, he’s acted as Commissioner of Finance and Commissioner of Water and Sewer for 15 years and liaison to the Joint Recreation for three years. “Business is what I’m all about,” he said, noting that he’s reduced town debt by 78 percent, keeps expenses down, and the latest budget has a zero increase. The Goshen Republican Party, the Goshen Conservative Party, and the Independence Party have all endorsed Bloomfield.
George Lyons, town board incumbent, has lived in Goshen for 42 years. Before elected to the town board, he served on the village board for eight years as mayor and 10 years as a trustee. Lyons has been involved in all aspects of town government in his past 12 years sitting on the town board. He’s highly regarded for his work as the town insurance commissioner, having greatly reduced town insurance costs. He’s retired from a 35-year career as a teacher, guidance counselor, and administrator. Lyons has been an active member of the Goshen Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GOVAC) for 42 years. The Republican Party, the Conservative Party and the Independence Party have endorsed Lyons.

The questionsChamber Vice-President Gerry Hluchan organized the program and read the questions to the candidates. The questions are as follows:

Would you like to see small businesses attracted to Goshen?
Barnhorst: Admitting that he’s not an expert in business development, he said he'd “go to the experts” to learn how to attract them. Small businesses are the “roots of the community — they employ people, raise their families here, live here.”
Florio: Having a small business of his own, he said government aid or tax breaks would help attract small business: “Small businesses are the heart of the community.”
Newbold: “Small businesses are the heart of the community. I’m a great supporter of farmers in the black dirt area. They’re hard working business people in our community.”
Bloomfield: “I’m at work 60 hours a week. People come into my office with business proposals. I talk with them and help guide them. I make a ‘soft landing for these people’. I’ve done it; I’m good at it.”
Lyons: “The town board supports businesses, large and small. To get input from the community, town officials are present at all business functions.” He mentioned JEDI — Joint Economic Development Initiative — as an example of a business-interested committee that was formed while he’s been on the town board.
Rolo: “Small businesses support families. They need to be supported to create a balance with big businesses.”

Is there a continued need for two governments, both village and town?
Florio: “It’s a challenge to consolidate governments. The town is spread out, and the village is run very well. Governments should stay separate. It’s the best way to go.”
Newbold: Calling it a “touchy subject,” he added, “We co-operate with the village, even if we can’t share services. We do share grants to help every aspect of the community. We work hard with the village.”
Bloomfield: Listing the senior center, Dial-A-Bus, Joint Recreation Commission, and saving $125,000 on using Orange County assessing services as examples of the town working with other entities, he said: “We’ve done a lot already.” The town is currently working on a plan for sharing services: “It will be published soon.”
Lyons: An example of beneficial shared services is having Orange County do the Town assessment. “Much better assessing services.”
Rolo: “We need to consolidate; it’s a benefit to the Town. The DPW and the Police Department would only benefit by joining together—they’ll become stronger.”
Barnhorst: “Look for opportunities where services can be consolidated and phase in over time. Reduce the hierarchy: one chief instead of two. Try to minimize services.”

Large businesses offering minimum wages are coming to Goshen. Do we need low and affordable housing?
Newbold: “What is affordable housing? No formula has been established yet. We, as officials, have to look to the experts to get ideas for coming up with fair proposals.”
Bloomfield: “Five percent of new homes have to be affordable, but no one has ‘invented the wheel,' yet. I’ve asked town Councilwoman Gallo to do research and create a formula. It’s going to come. It’s a tough nut to crack.”
Lyons: “Since the '90s we’ve had senior housing, which is a form of affordable housing. Some affordable housing is already happening in the new developments. On the upside, with all the businesses coming to Goshen and so many jobs available to the people, minimum wage has to go up.”
Rolo: “I’m glad to hear that the town board is working on affordable housing and not just in one area — it has to be spread out. Also, the senior community needs help. With seniors living longer, they’re often faced with not being able to live in New York and can be separated from their families. We need affordable housing.”
Barnhorst: “I would suggest consulting with professional planners who’ve encountered this — ask people who know how to plan out a community. Then work with the comprehensive plan. Use resources available to us.”
Florio: “Consult with experts on housing, townhouses. Check with developers and find out what they’re charging to make homes more affordable.”
Question: What are your thoughts on the growth of Kiryas Joel and the impact on the community?
Bloomfield: “There once were 150 dairy farms and 35 milk producing facilities in Goshen. Now there are two dairy farms and no milk producing facilities. That land is going to be sold. People will come and want to buy it. All groups have a right to be in New York State and do what they do.”
Lyons: “People are coming from Monroe to live in Goshen. It’s a mixed bag of people. We’re on their radar. They have every right to be in the community, but it has to be done right — follow our regulations.”
Rolo: “It’s their mission to acquire land. It the hardest thing to deal with the Hasidic community — they come, but they don’t assimilate. They acquire land, take over, and that’s it. It gives plenty to wonder about, but we can’t legally keep them out."
Barnhorst: “Everyone can be here, but all have to play by the same rules. We need a strong comprehensive plan to help guide growth.”
Florio: “All Hasidics want to stay together, but they have to be held accountable to follow the rules. They’re smart people, a little rough to handle, but we have to try to work with them.”
Newbold: "This is a sensitive issue, but we have to work with every group. We have to make sure our laws are enforceable for all people.”

What is your main goal?
Lyons: Saying “I’m here to help,” he listed improving the water/sewer infrastructure, increase recreational opportunities, add ratables, increase the number of grants, stay within the two-percent tax increase, and keep insurance rates as low as possible.”
Rolo: “Bring the community together to expand services through better technology and common sense. Take a fresh eye at services, stay within the two-percent tax, improvements to infrastructure, have good, safe roads, have good relationship with the Village, expand services at senior center to help seniors with filling out forms. It’s time for some changes and look forward to the future.”
Barnhorst: “There are many goals tied into one. Engage all in the community. Sometimes people don’t know what they don’t know. All people need a voice — they all need input. Engage the community, drive the process and it will result in a better outcome — new leadership for new ideas.”
Florio: “My goal is to bring the community together. To grow we need to be friends — talk about things. Expand the Joint Recreation Commission and get the kids to come together. New ball fields so soccer can be played at the same time as lacrosse. Our future is there.”
Newbold: “I want to communicate with the people — it’s my strong point. I represent you — you’re the best bosses! If you have an issue, let me know. I’ll come to your house and discuss the problem..”
Bloomfield: “I rarely take a day off. Concerned citizen, happy citizen — I stop and talk with them. I feel in touch with people who are concerned with staying in Goshen. With 74 percent of your tax bill for school, 48 percent of Goshen homeowners and small businesses shoulder town taxes. I want to ease that burden with larger enterprises, like Amy’s and Legoland that will provide a significant increase in tax revenue and jobs for our community. That’s what I’m all about.”