Woodbury Town Board

Geraldine Gianzero, Republican candidate Biographical information: I am a lifelong resident of the Town of Woodbury, having been married to my husband Michael for 18 years. We have two sons, Michael and Nicholas. They both attend Monroe-Woodbury schools, from which I graduated in 1984. Candidate statement: During my first term as councilwoman, I also have served in the capacity of deputy supervisor, taking part in the daily operations of our town. I have assisted in acquiring various grants, of which one saved the taxpayers $25,000 by personally installing a new floor in the senior center with the supervisor and other volunteers. I never feel I am above any job and I will do what it takes to get the job done. I work closely with many departments to help improve our infrastructure and town systems. Advocating for open government, I strongly supported expanded coverage of town meetings to include the videotaping of Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and special meetings. I also support the acquisitions of open space and will continue to help find ways of obtaining land at minimal cost to taxpayers. I initiated modernizing our employee handbook and am one of the negotiators for the PBA, dispatcher and employee unions. I will continue to find ways to use our parkland fees to make our park system the finest in the Hudson Valley. I make all my decisions based on facts and research, always wanting to do what’s best for our town and not for special interests groups. Michael Queenan, Republican candidate Biographical information: Personal: Lives in Highland Mills with my wife Karen and my daughter Jennifer. Married 19 years. Town of Woodbury resident for nine years. Occupation: Real Estate salesperson for Weichert Realtors. Experience: More than 20 years of management experience; 25 years in Information Technology. Negotiated vendor contracts. Risk and Project management. Strategic Planning. Planned and designed new data facilities. Staff development. Developed and Implemented disaster recovery procedures. Education: Pace University, White Plains; BBA Management Information Systems. Boards and committees: Town of Woodbury Planning Board (Chair); Town of Woodbury Beautification Commission (Chair); Town of Woodbury Comprehensive Plan Committee; Town Of Woodbury Architectural Review Board (chair); Town of Woodbury Republican Committee; and Woodbury Community Association. Candidate statement: I’m running for Woodbury Town Council because I believe I can make a difference. I’m seeking the support of all Woodbury residents regardless of party affiliation. I am a candidate who will represent the interests of all the people of Woodbury. I’m an independent thinker with fresh ideas who will add value in meeting the challenges that face our town. I am a community-minded person who promises to work hard and deliver results. I have more than 20 years of management experience in information technology. I was responsible for multiple departments and facilities. My operations were 24/7 and considered critical. Addressing problems and finding solutions was routine. I believe that Woodbury needs to develop short- and long-term fiscal and strategic plans. We need to generate more revenue from federal and state grants. We also need to work closely with the Department of Transportation and our local businesses to find solutions to mitigate our traffic congestion. I feel strongly about lobbying our state and federal government to stop the unfunded mandates to our schools and towns. Please consider Michael Queenan on Election Day. I will work hard for all of Woodbury. I promise you my objectivity and a firm commitment to Woodbury. Amidee T. Haviland III, Democratic candidate Biographical information: Personal: Born in 1953 in New York City. Grew up in Ridgefield, Conn., where I attended high school. Married Lynn A. Smith in 1986. We have three kids: Katie (18), Andrew (13), and Amidee (AJ) IV (9). The boys are in the Monroe-Woodbury school system. Katie is at Purchase College. Education: BA/AA from Lehigh University 1975; MBA in Management Information Science in 1988. Professional: 28 total years in the U.S. Army - 11 active and 16 in the Reserves; retired as a lieutenant colonel. During my time in the service, I interacted with local officials in three countries (Turkey, Germany and Croatia). I currently work at Metro-North as a purchasing manager. I have attained the titles of “Certified Public Purchasing Buyer,” Certified Public Purchasing Officer and ISO Auditor. Candidate statement: My vision is to have the board meet the town’s needs, now and in the future, efficiently and expeditiously while maintaining the town’s rural appeal. How? • By assisting the town supervisor in achieving this goal through positive coordination and communication. • By getting a bigger bang for our buck in terms of the acquisition of goods and services by using my expertise of more than 16 years in public procurement. • By listening, assessing and making sound decisions upon any situation with confidence. This as a result of my combined 28 years of being an officer in the active Army and Army Reserves as well as my full-time position of Purchasing Manager. • By improving the infrastructure of the town, both in its efficient use of personnel and property as well as technically. I have been a resident of Woodbury for more than 16 years and have observed the growth and concerns of the community. I am finding that the current town leadership is going down the wrong path toward the future. I, along with the team of Burke and Reveille, want to right this ship and bring back on course without succumbing to outside influences and their attempt to instill fear of annexation upon the public. Darleen Reveille, Democratic candidate Biographical information: My name is Darleen Reveille. My husband, Bob, my daughter, Katie, and I moved to Highland Mills 11 years ago. I am a graduate of Jersey Shore Medical Center and Monmouth University. I have been a nurse for 26 years with experience in the fields of critical care and public health. I am continuing my education at Thomas Edison College, pursuing a Masters Degree. Candidate statement: I have the skills to serve my community for all the right reasons. It takes a combination of honesty, intelligence, compassion, leadership ability and, most of all, common sense. The most important quality I possess is my unwavering belief and commitment that we are all members of only one race, that is the human race. I am the chairperson for the Cultural Competency Task force, part of an organization called Partnership for Community Health Inc. in Bergen County, N.J. We are committed to improving the health and overall quality of life for all residents. I am employed by the City of Garfield as a public health nurse and work in collaboration with many experts from Bergen County, Hackensack University Medical Center and the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services. I know how important it is for a community to elect leaders with integrity, intelligence and the fortitude to stand up for what is right. It is not my right to hold the position that I have in Garfield but rather my privilege. Government officials should never lose site of that principle. Citizens should have at least three expectations from their elected officials: First - information should be honest and forthcoming; second - they should mind our checkbooks; and above all else they should hear the voice of the people and be accountable. We must decide who conducts business in Woodbury. This is our town. If we surrender to threats now, there will only be more threats to follow. The choice is yours. Please vote on Nov. 8th. Give us the opportunity to do what is right for Woodbury or it will be lost forever. Henry Sullivan, Independent candidate Biographical information: Employed 30 years as a New York City Police Officer; 27 years as representative for PBA. Involved with labor negotiations and dealing with elected officials on all levels of government. Four years in the U.S. Air Force. Associate Degree, SUNY. Former little league coach. Member of American Legion Post #779 and the Golden Age Club. Candidate statement: Are you worried about the fate of Woodbury’s future? I am. My name is Henry (Hank) Sullivan and I want to serve as your councilman in 2006. I have the commitment, education and leadership experience to make a difference. I believe a strong leader has the duty and responsibility to seek out the opinions of those whom he wishes to represent. That is why I am taking this campaign to you, the people of Woodbury. Since April I’ve been walking door-to-door in the neighborhoods and I know we share common concerns. One of the biggest issues facing our town is controlling growth. Two projects are now being considered by our current town board, along with five new laws, which if adopted will allow more than 750 new homes. More homes means more taxes, which right now none of us can afford. I believe that limiting our tax burden and preserving our quality of life go hand-in-hand. Demands on our town’s infrastructure and services have increased as the urbanization of Woodbury has proceeded. Our roads are becoming clogged. Our school system has grown to a tremendous size. Tax increases have caused people to be concerned over their ability to stay here. We must provide for the people who currently live in Woodbury. I believe that we must be able to say no to irresponsible projects in order to preserve our quality of life and limit taxes. I don’t have all the answers, but I promise to listen to your concerns and work toward creditable solutions. One of the first solutions I feel is implementing a response system for residents’ complaints and concerns. With your help, I can provide sound, common sense solutions to already existing problems. Please vote for me on Nov. 8th on the Independent line “Save Our Town” Row G.