Monroe Democrats outline plans to reconnect community and town board

To the editor: We would like to take this opportunity to introduce the Democratic slate of candidates for Monroe Town Board: Alicia Vaccaro for Town Supervisor and Audra Schwartz and John Rios for Town Board. Monroe has changed over the last decade. While some changes have been positive, many have had negative consequences such as increased development, loss of open space, spiraling taxes and traffic nightmares. Over the years, each of us has tried to work within the system to solve these problems, but often, we felt our voices were not heard by the present administration. This, we believe, is a symptom of a larger problem. Town Board meetings have become a battle field that no one should have to deal with. Issues are brought to the Town Board with hostility and anger and the Town Board answers with little respect or responsiveness. Monroe’s government has shut out its residents as a result, and the lines of communication have been slashed. We need to ask ourselves: Why is our community so angry? We believe one of the reasons is that the community feels disconnected from their government and they do not understand how it is being run. We propose a multi-faceted solution to this problem. First, we will publish the Town Meeting Agendas monthly in the local newspaper, so that you will know what applications are pending and what other issues exist regarding your own neighborhoods. We also will eliminate the inappropriate use of closed meetings, or “executive sessions.” Further, we propose a community outreach program, conducted neighborhood by neighborhood, as well as with local community groups, that would enable the Town Supervisor to meet with residents to determine what issues are important to them. Through these steps, we believe that we can bring back dignity, respect and effectiveness to our Town offices and meetings and we believe residents will be willing to speak openly and respectfully to their government. Everyone is well aware of the problems that face Monroe. Monroe needs solutions and we have those solutions. The team of Vaccaro, Schwartz and Rios represent positive change, where everyone has an equal voice and the Monroe community’s interests are our top priority. Sincerely, Alicia Vaccaro Audra Schwartz and John Rios