More agreement than not as candidates compete in forum

MONROE - The SaveMonroe citizen’s organization sponsored a question and answer session Monday night at Congregation Eitz Chaim for the six candidates competing for three seats on the Monroe Village Board in the March 21 election. Trustees John Karl III and Jeff Peifer are vying for the mayor’s position being vacated by Joseph Mancuso. Peifer’s running mates on the Concerned Citizens of Monroe party, James Purcell and Wayne Chan, are running against Karl’s Open Government Party colleague, Charles Lessor and stand-alone candidate, Town Accountant Scott Ferguson, for the two Trustee seats being vacated. Times Herald-Record regional editor Chris Mele moderated and quizzed the candidates based on questions posed by the audience of more than 50 in attendance. The questions sought answers about the candidates’ vision for Monroe in light of increasing traffic and diminishing downtown business and regarding expansion of the Village Police Department. There was general agreement on solutions for many of the issues raised. All supported a close relationship with the Merchants Association or creation of a Chamber of Commerce for business improvement. Increasing revenue to offset tax increases raised the possibility of creating a new village court and judge to enable the village to retain a greater portion of the fines. Lessor said the village currently receives only one to two percent of court revenue from the town. Confusion surfaced in regard to the status and future of the structural steel skeleton on Millpond Parkway where the former movie theater was located. Karl voiced surprise when Peifer suggested that the project was still moving forward. (See related story on page 6.) Consolidation of fire services into a fire district was voiced by Chan, Karl, Purcell and Ferguson. However, Peifer cautioned that “we must be careful to not hurt the volunteers.” The mayoral candidates were questioned on the issue of increasing the Police Department by five new members as recommended by a recent state Division of Criminal Justice Services analysis. The increase could add $250,000 annually to the police budget. “It comes down to affordability,” Karl said. “It may be possible to phase-in. The public must comment and provide input to the budget.” Peifer said he was in favor of expanding the force but it can’t be done in one year. He suggested maybe two officers can be added in the first year.