Monroe mayor's race
Monroe - Current board trustees John Karl III and Jeffrey W. Peifer are competing for the mayoralty seat being vacated by Mayor Joseph Mancuso in this Tuesday’s village election. Karl has two years remaining on his current position. Following are the candidates’ responses to questions of how each would save tax dollars when elected, their opinions on merging police services with Harriman and the acquisition of a police force by the town, along with their views on a recent state analysis suggesting the hiring of five additional officers. The town currently relies on the State Police for law enforcement. The candidates also stated their reasons for running for office. Jeffrey W. Peifer Jeffrey W. Peifer is 41 and a lifelong resident of Monroe. He is married with three children and is employed by Orange & Rockland Utilities as a division engineer. He holds a bachelor of science degree in Electrical engineering, a bachelor of arts degree in physics and is a registered professional engineer in the State of New York. Peifer has served eight years as Trustee on the Monroe Village Board and is a member of the Monroe Ambulance Corps. He has the endorsement of the Monroe and New York State PBA, the State Union of Police, the Monroe Democratic Party and the IBEW. On the village budget: He said finding savings this year would be tough because there are many costs - such as increases in fuel and insurance - that cannot be readily controlled or simply cut. “The only way to save tax dollars is to consolidate services or taxes will rise. Consolidation of the police includes expansion of police to the town which will require a major sales pitch and service level must be kept.” On consolidation and expansion of police services: “I support the consolidation of police with the Village of Harriman and expansion to the Town of Monroe if Harriman Village and Town Boards will go along. We’ve talked about a phase-in with the town last fall and the town was lukewarm. But, this will benefit everybody.” He said hes also in favor of adding additional village police officers, but this also would require a phased approach. “This year we will increase the force by one officer and the tax impact will be softened slightly by a sergeant retiring which will open up a lower level spot.” His reasons for running: “I’ve got some new ideas and I’m teamed with two good guys. We will be very accessible and have established evening hours. Additionally, I have a lot of experience in this arena.” John Karl III John Karl III, 46, is the Harriman Village Superintendent of Public Works, employed by the village for 22 years. He worked previously for the Village of Monroe for eight years in the Water Department and has two years remaining in his current term of office as village trustee. Karl is married with four stepchildren and two grandchildren and is a lifelong resident of Monroe. He is a licensed New York State Water Treatment Operator and has taken courses at Orange County Community College. He has received the endorsement of the SaveMonroe citizens organization. He is a member of the Orange County Volunteer Firefighters Association and the Fire Chiefs’ Association. Other memberships include the Middletown Elks Lodge, Ground Water Guardians, New York Rural Water Works Association. He also is chairman of the Hudson Valley Water Works Conference. On the village budget: Karl said he would push for consolidation of the local fire companies in a joint fire district and reevaluate the Police Department from the administration down to save money and get more police officers on the street. He proposes to eliminate medical benefits for the village attorney and elected officials - past, present and future. On consolidation and expansion of police services: For consolidation of police services he said he is “open to all options that will spread cost. We met last year with the town and they were very hesitant.” On the issue of supporting the state recommendation of adding additional police officers, he questions the validity of some of the points in the state report. “All the data was produced by the Police Department. I still need a definition for calls for service.’” He intends to ask the chief for the Uniform Crime Report that is sent to the FBI and then analyze it. His reasons for running: “To bring open government back to the village and residents. People coming before the board shouldnt be intimated and also to bring fresh faces and fresh ideas to the village government.”