Monroe Democratic candidates: More regional planning is needed

To the editor: In past letters to the editor, we’ve informed Monroe residents about our goals for open government and increased dialogue with the community, as well as the steps we will take to ensure responsible development through updated zoning and land use laws. We recognize, however, that even with these changes, if neighboring municipalities continue to over-develop and make other poor choices, Monroe will be adversely affected. If elected, Vaccaro, Schwartz and Rios will strive to create a Southeast Orange Planning Task Force, where representatives from each of our Villages, the Town, and neighbors like Woodbury, Chester, Blooming Grove and Tuxedo can review common issues and agree upon regional solutions. The proposed subdivision in Camp Monroe, Chester, is a good example of why our plan for a regional Planning Task Force makes sense. Only 8 of the 148 proposed lots are located in Monroe, yet most of the traffic from this development will discharge onto Lakes Road. Additionally, 124 of the proposed 148 lots will be sending their children to Monroe Woodbury Schools. Chester gets a new town park out of the deal - and Monroe gets traffic and school children. Similar projects proposed in the Town of Woodbury and in our own Villages will burden the entire Monroe community. So many issues affect us on a regional basis - land use and planning, schools, recreation, the heritage trail and Camp LaGuardia, the possibility of Casinos in Sullivan County and traffic. We must to stop thinking locally and start planning regionally. Toward that end, the existing Town Board joined the Southeast Orange Regional Traffic Taskforce. A good choice, but, just the tip of the iceberg. A Southeast Orange Regional Planning Taskforce will address land use and planning and its affects on us all. Regional planning and inter-municipal cooperation - another reason why you should vote for Vaccaro, Schwartz and Rios on Nov. 8. Thank you. Alicia Vaccaro for Town Supervisor Audra Schwartz and John Rios for Town Board