I was born in New York City. My family bought our home in Gardiner in 1939. I am a graduate of Cornell University and I spent 2 years as an army officer teaching leadership skills. I have made Gardiner my home in my adult years, I have voted in every election in Gardiner since 1956.
I know Gardiner. I have hiked the Gunks, been an avid cross country skier for over 35 years, fished the rivers and lakes, raised Christmas Trees, and maintained a certified tree farm. My belief in open space is real. I have deeded development rights to over 60 acres to the Wallkill Valley Land Trust. I live in Gardiner with my wife, the artist Pattie Eakin. My three children and my three grandchildren all love to visit our home in Gardiner.
For the past 35 years I have owned and operated my own business. This experience in the management of people and finances has been beneficial in dealing with the people of Gardiner and the matters of fiscal control. I have personally met a weekly payroll for all of those years.
I believe that policies at the local level should be non partisan. Most of the issues we face are quality of life issues. We all agree that preserving the rural character of Gardiner is important. We are currently working very hard on rewriting the zoning law in a fair and equitable way to preserve open space and to make it possible for a diverse housing inventory. We must also develop incentives to bring commercial development that will have low impact on the environment.
It has been an honor to have served on the Town Board these past 2 years. We have accomplished a great deal including refurbishing the town meeting rooms, building a New Town Hall, creating an Open Space Plan, acquiring the Gardiner portion of the Rail Trail, and rewriting the town Employee Manual. We have also updated the town sewer treatment plant, received grants for sidewalks and the acquisition of the Rail Trail.
In order to continue this momentum, the people of Gardiner, representing all of Gardiner, must come together and talk…listen…discuss the issues and come up with solutions that reflect the community consensus. I believe that I have the background, experience and knowledge to continue serving the people of Gardiner with a fair and open mind.
