x
  1. Home
  2.  Opinion
  3.  Letters to the Editor

Irene Conklin announces her bid for Monroe Village Board

| 20 Feb 2012 | 02:11

    I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as a candidate for Village Trustee in the Village of Monroe elections. My name is Irene Conklin, my husband Dave and I have three children, two of whom have graduated from the Monroe-Woodbury schools and another who will be graduating this June. I was born and raised in the Village of Monroe and now live in a home next door to my parent’s house where I grew up.

    I am employed by the Monroe-Woodbury School District as a school bus driver and I am the president of its union, CSEA, Local 836, Unit 7908, which has more than 230 members. As the union president I have been involved in contract negotiations, disciplinary hearings, fund raising and event planning.

    I have seen many changes in Monroe over the years, some good and some not so good. As Village Trustee it will be my goal to work with the existing board to restore and maintain this once beautiful community.

    As I walk or drive around the village I am disheartened by some of the sights.

    Many streets and sidewalks are littered with garbage; unoccupied buildings that were once thriving businesses have gone neglected. Traffic has dramatically increased, crime has risen and businesses are barely surviving.

    My goals are: • Explore options to ease traffic flow.

    • Clean and restore the village.

    • Increase the use of solar power to reduce taxpayers’ dollars.

    • Encourage youth involvement in positive activities that will get them off the streets and parking lots.

    • Fiscal responsibility: Doing more with less during these tough economic times.

    • Streamline process of opening businesses in the village.

    • Actively seek grants and other government programs.

    • Explore possibility of televised board meetings.

    I am not a politician and do not have a political agenda. I am just a concerned resident, neighbor and friend who wants to represent you, the community, in order to restore Monroe.

    I believe in open government and I welcome the opportunity to listen to and address your concerns. I am asking for your support so we can work together.

    Vote for Irene Conklin for Village Trustee on March 20, 2012.

    Irene Conklin Monroe