Martin on attendance and planning

To the editor: My wife, daughter, and I moved to the Town of Monroe 21 years ago. This is the place we call home. For the past 16 years I have been a Town Councilman, serving four consecutive elected terms of office. I am proud that I have been able to help formulate conservative fiscal policies that have kept our town taxes among the lowest in Orange County. In my opinion, qualifications for public office should include knowledge of current community issues. Before I was elected to the Town Board, I attended every Town Board and Planning Board meeting for more than two years. I also served on the 1988 Master Plan Committee. I do not see any candidates who have made this kind of commitment and can demonstrate they really understand the issues. I am aware that the Conservative candidates have attended meetings for a long time. In those days they were SaveMonroe. They have a unique problem. They refuse to acknowledge facts. Just visit their Web site, an outdated list of developments that bears no relationship to those currently before the Planning Board, data that is based of faulty logic, photos from the Village of Monroe, an agenda that address issues outside the purview of the Town Board. They are not grounded in reality. The Web site illustrates how SaveMonroe’s perception does not match the facts about the Town outside the Villages. Obviously, they cannot distinguish between the Villages and the Town outside the Villages. Clearly, they have demonstrated that they are not equipped to serve our community in the positions that they seek. The Democratic candidates recently called for a regional land use planning task force. If they attended the Southeast Regional Traffic Task Force meetings they would know that the traffic study incorporated land use. Great idea, however, it’s already a work in progress. Pick another topic? They can’t. They have not attended the meetings. They have not studied the documentation. They are not informed. Issues about the Draft Master Plan offer a good example of how the challengers are out of touch. The Conservatives (SaveMonroe) criticized the plan for a lack of vision, while the Democrats offered a lukewarm critique. The County Planning Department stated the following: “The goals and objectives for the preservation of open space, scenic vistas, woodland and rural character, creation of affordable housing, and protection of fragile environmental areas and natural resources are all very worthy and exemplary.” The County also noted: “The overall philosophy for the protection of public health while balancing environmental protection with reasonable use of the land is laudable.” If you care about who is telling you the truth, visit the Draft Master Plan and the County Planning Department comments at www.monroeny.org. I am especially proud of the Master Plan Update Committee Members for their contribution to our community. They have done a fantastic job and it is a shame to see the result of their effort and commitment denigrated for political reasons. I am very proud of my efforts and contributions to the Town. I am very comfortable being judged by my actions on the Town Board. You can visit the Republican candidates at www.monroenygop.org for more information. Peter J. Martin, Ph.D. Councilman, Town of Monroe