The Democratic primary for Monroe Town Board

Monroe. On Tuesday, June 24, Democratic voters in the Town of Monroe will decide which two of four contenders will be their candidates for two seats on Monroe’s Town Board in November’s general election.

Monroe /
| 09 Jun 2025 | 12:12

Brandon Bernard

Why are you running for town board?

As Monroe continues to evolve, it is important now more than ever to ensure that Monroe has dynamic and responsive leadership for the challenges we face. We are desperate for leadership that can respond to the demands of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. I’ve seen how our neighboring municipalities have had their elected leadership come together to use every tool in their toolbox, like New York State grants, to improve the services and infrastructure of their constituents. It is time that our elected leadership do everything in their power to work with the residents of Monroe to put the people first.

What are the top three issues facing the town today and how do you plan to address them?

State Route 17M has been an issue that I hear consistently from residents. I myself have been victimized by this road. It’s a threat to public safety, it damages your car leaving you to pay for the cost of damages, and causes unnecessary traffic issues.

We deserve to have this road paved. It would incentivize customers to patronize our businesses, speed up traffic and improve our quality of life.

Another quality of life issue affecting us all is the abundance of trash around town. I would make it a priority to mandate lids on cans and work with our community partners in developing more environmental events like clean sweeps.

The Comprehensive Plan is the “road map” document of what we want our town to look like. We need to establish a clear plan that outlines our values and updates our zoning. It is impossible to know where to go if we don’t have a map to take us there.

What sets you apart from your challengers?

Working in the New York State Senate Finance Committee I am intimately involved in policy discussion and budget negotiations. I am part of a team that helps decide how much of our state tax dollars is spent and where it is allocated.

As a member of the Town Council, I would be involved in those same decisions regarding our local tax dollars. This learned experience, in addition to achieving my Masters in Public Administration, has prepared me to work with my running mates in improving our town.

Paul Phelan

Why are you running for town board?

I have lived in Monroe for the past 22 years, purchasing my first home here for its affordability and proximity to NYC. As a father of three children, the Monroe-Woodbury School District was also a big draw.

I am running for a Town Council position because Monroe has been my home for the past two decades. During that time, I have found it a wonderful place to raise my family and I want to give back to this community.

What are the top three issues facing the town today and how do you plan to address them?

1. Outdated Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is a guiding document for future development and land use decisions. It was intended to guide the town’s decision-making and community development for the next five years - but it hasn’t been updated since 2017. Public input is essential to defining the future vision of Monroe, and an update is long overdue.

2. Lack of Transparency in Town Contracts. There is currently limited visibility into the contract specifications for town services. Residents are entitled to understand the scope of work and the vendor selection process. We intend to review all contracts to provide greater transparency.

3. Mismanagement of Water District Repairs. As a resident of the Town of Monroe’s Water District #1 (WD#1), I was shocked to see the recent tax increases to the district’s residents. Initially, the Town Board planned to bond WD#1 residents to pay a proposed $1,100,000 in repairs - without pursuing alternative funding sources. We intend to investigate all available grant funding to support future infrastructure repairs, minimizing the tax impact for all water districts.

What sets you apart from your challengers?

I have worked in New York City government for 43 years - most recently as Director, Construction & Service Contracts for HRA. I have extensive contract and procurement experience and purchasing designations from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council Designations: Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO).

For the past nine years, I have also served on Monroe’s Board of Ethics, ensuring the development of a Code of Ethics and annual training for Town employees.

I plan to put my years of public service experience to good use here in Monroe.

Luis Rivera

Why are you running for Town Council?

I’m running for Monroe Town Council because Monroe is at a critical crossroads. Nearly twenty years ago, I moved to the Hudson Valley —a place I fell in love with as a Boy Scout during troop outings. The natural beauty and strong sense of community drew my family here, first to Woodbury and now to Monroe, where my wife and I live with our youngest child, a soon-to-be nursing school graduate. All three of our children were raised here and graduated from the Monroe-Woodbury School District.

I’ve always believed in giving back. In Woodbury, I served St. Patrick’s Church as a member of the finance committee, lector, usher and Eucharistic minister.

After moving to Monroe, I joined the Planning Board because I wanted to contribute at a time of rapid change. Now, I’m stepping up to serve on the Town Council because I know that if we don’t act with urgency and foresight, we risk losing what makes Monroe special.

What are the top three issues facing the town today and how do you plan to address them?

First, overdevelopment is threatening our natural spaces, overwhelming our infrastructure and changing the character of our neighborhoods. I’ll fight for smart, sustainable growth that preserves green space and fits within the community’s character.

Second, fiscal responsibility. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of balanced budgets and wise spending. Every tax dollar must work for the people of Monroe.

Third, transparency and community engagement. Residents deserve a government that listens, explains its decisions and involves the community in shaping the town’s future. I’ll work with Beth Stephens and Maureen Richardson to make sure every voice is heard.

What sets you apart from your challengers?

This campaign isn’t about politics — it’s about values. I’m a husband, a father, a small business owner and a neighbor who cares deeply about this community. I bring years of experience on the Planning Board, in General Management and Finance and a proven record of community service.

I’m committed to preserving Monroe, ensuring thoughtful decision-making that has long term sustainability.

I want to prioritize what we love while building a balanced, forward-thinking future for Monroe.

Bethany Stephens

Why are you running for town board?

I’m running for Monroe Town Council because our community deserves transparent, responsible leadership that puts residents — not political interests — first. For over 20 years, I served as a federal civilian with the U.S. Army, where I specialized in strengthening communities through cross-agency collaboration on quality-of-life issues, public health assessments, data-driven policy and long-term planning.

Now, I’m ready to apply that experience here at home in Monroe.

I know how to bring people together, solve complex problems and deliver results. I’m running to bring that same no-nonsense approach to local government — because Monroe residents are tired of inaction, rising costs and being ignored. They deserve real solutions — not more dysfunction.

What are the top three issues facing the town today and how do you plan to address them?

1. Infrastructure and Overdevelopment. Monroe’s infrastructure is failing because our Comprehensive Plan and zoning laws are outdated and routinely exploited. I will fight for a fully funded, community-driven update that prioritizes infrastructure capacity, eliminates predatory loopholes like CCR, and ensures growth is responsible, sustainable and driven by community needs — not developer agendas.

2. Public Services and Emergency Response. Whether it’s 30-minute EMS delays, ineffective code enforcement or backlogged courts, Monroe’s core services are falling short.

That’s not a reflection on the dedicated public servants doing the work — it’s a failure of leadership.

These professionals need support from town leaders who will champion real solutions. I will work across agencies — locally, countywide and at the state level — to streamline operations, modernize systems and ensure residents receive timely, reliable support when it matters most.

3. Fiscal Accountability and Missed Opportunities. Taxpayers are paying more while getting less. I will push for a full audit of the town budget, renegotiate lopsided contracts, and aggressively pursue the state and federal grants Monroe has too often left on the table. It’s time to end the waste and invest every dollar in what residents actually need.

What sets you apart from your challengers?

What sets me apart is real-world leadership. I’ve spent over 20 years solving complex problems in government — not just talking about them. I know how to coordinate across agencies, manage budgets and deliver results without political drama.

I’m not tied to any machine or agenda — I’m here to serve the people of Monroe with integrity and accountability.