Candidate Q&A: Martin O’Connor for Monroe Village Trustee
The Village of Monroe’s election is March 18. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Village Hall Boardroom, 7 Stage Road, Monroe, N.Y. Two candidates are running for mayor, and four candidates are vying for two seats on the Village Board of Trustees.
Why are you running for trustee?
In 1988 my wife and I moved here from Boston after I accepted a job in Manhattan. We both loved everything about Monroe and all that it had to offer. I have been very involved in the community, coaching many years in Little League, and basketball when my children attended Sacred Heart. Fast forward to four years ago and Mayor Dwyer asked if I would be interested in the trustee position. The overwhelming reason why I decided to run for trustee with him was, and still is, my strong belief in Mayor Dwyer. I believe in his experience, knowledge, and passion to stand up for what is right.
What are the top three things you aim to accomplish if elected?
- Continue towards improving our residential areas by enforcing local ordinances. We live in such a nice village. I would hope everybody respects the village and each other.
- Continue to work with our village board and departments to keep our taxes down. The people that I have met with never mentioned taxes for good reason. Mayor Dwyer, in his eight years as mayor, has kept the increase in taxes at 7%. I will do everything to keep the taxes down for taxpayers of the Village of Monroe.
- Continue to listen to the village residents to keep abreast of their priorities.
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
Pretty much because I am proud of who I am. I am a small-town guy who grew up in Cambridge, New York (basic, down to earth). I went to West Point my freshman year and graduated from Niagara University (great education). I presently work at Home Depot after spending my entire career in a Wall Street environment (hard working). I have been married for 38 years and raised my four kids here (dedicated husband and father). I have been a parishioner at Saint Anastasia and Sacred Heart since we moved here (strive to be better every day). I bring all these characteristics wherever I go and am proud of it.