The Democratic primary for Monroe Town Supervisor

David A. Rabbitts

Why are you running for town board?

Being born and raised in Monroe, I’ve seen the amazing opportunities and beauty that this area provides for residents. My parents moved here over 30 years ago to raise a family in an affordable, active community with a great school district. The Town of Monroe provided that and even more, with commuter access for working class households.

I want that same dream to be accessible for my generation, while also letting residents retire here with dignity.

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

We’ve all experienced what has become of our roads over the years: an expensive game of dodging potholes. The Town Supervisor can play a major role in advocating directly with the Department of Transportation, who takes local input into serious consideration, to make these roads a priority. Chester was able to accomplish this with its section of 17M, there is no reason we in Monroe can’t do the same.

A town’s comprehensive plan is at its core a town’s vision for its future. The last time ours was updated was 2017: nearly a decade ago. As Town Supervisor I would move to update this plan, with community input so that residents have a true say in what Monroe is and will be.

Instead of the Town Supervisor giving themselves a stipend to be “Budget Officer,” we should have real fiscal professionals look at the Town’s finances and contracts. We need to make sure our taxpayer money is being effectively used, not going directly into someone’s pockets.

What sets you apart from your challengers?

My extensive experience from the past six years of working with both State Senator James Skoufis and Assemblymember Chris Eachus’ offices representing this area and other towns in Orange County. I’ve worked with federal, state and local officials on issues ranging from fixing potholes to working on and helping pass major legislation preventing the Village of Seven Springs.

I have seen what is possible when you have active and engaged representatives fighting on the people’s behalf.

I will bring that same dedication to service as your Town Supervisor.

Maureen M. Richardson

Why are you running for Town Supervisor?

I was elected to the Town Board in 2023 by an overwhelming margin because I led the charge against a 131-acre Dinosaur Theme Park and a 491-unit housing development as a community activist. I was elected to Preserve Monroe by public mandate. Instead of getting to work, political posturing and foul play took center stage, blocking the progress our town desperately needs.

Over the past year and a half, you’ve heard more about personalities and politics than about town business. When an opponent can’t fight you on the issues, they distract, dramatize and smear. I’m running to restore transparent decision-making, forward-thinking financial management and common-sense environmental legislation. Ultimately, I’m running to break open the stale, dysfunctional power structure that’s been holding Monroe back from becoming the community it can be.

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

I could talk about quality of life, public safety, code enforcement, revenue streams or a whole litany of problems. At the end of the day, I’m asked about just one: overdevelopment. Our laws and zoning can’t keep up with the massive developments being proposed. The current Board blames the Planning Board for project approvals, but it’s actually the Town Board’s job to write the codes that dictate what’s built, where, and how it looks. As a community activist, I fought against hundreds of millions in unwanted development — and won.

As a Councilmember, I prioritized funding for a Comprehensive Plan update — the first since 2017 — and won. Now we need a preservation-minded majority to ensure that plan actually protects Monroe’s character and serves the public’s needs. My opponents are financially backed by real estate developer interests; I stand with the people of Monroe.

What sets you apart from your challengers?

After the sudden loss of both my parents, years of political harassment and a debilitating stroke that left me unable to stand — all before the age of 30 — I’ve survived and overcome challenges that make me a true advocate for all the citizens of Monroe.

I fight against an entrenched political power structure that too often puts itself before the people. It’s not always pretty, but I wasn’t elected because I never fall; I was elected because I stand back up, time and again, for all of you. I’m committed to staying focused on what really matters: serving the people, not the politicians.