Ledger Endorsements

Wednesday, 28 October 2009 23:00

When you head to the polls on Tuesday it may be easy to simply look at one number — 29% — and think change is needed.

That is the amount that Town Supervisor Edward Brancati, a Democrat, wants to raise taxes by in his 2010 budget proposal, which would eclipse last year’s tax increase — the previous highest raise in more than a decade — by four fold.

But if it’s lower taxes you want, then you might as well stay at home, as Mr. Brancati’s opponent, Charles Duffy, a conservative backed by the Republican Party, has not offered a low-tax alternative. In fact, none of the six total candidates — the two for town supervisor and four seeking two vacant Town Board seats — has a plan that does not require significantly raising taxes in the coming years to close the large budget gap.

So what differentiates the challenger from the incumbent? Unfortunately for Mr. Duffy, not enough.

Mr. Duffy’s main idea to increase revenue — borrowed from running mate Peter DeLucia — is an ill-conceived proposal to offer lifetime pool memberships. This will likely garner little interest in this largely transient town, and, like the other Republican notion of adding pool cabanas, a small stream of new revenue that at best would barely make a dent in the deficit. Also, in his televised interviews with The Ledger and The Journal News, Mr. Duffy did not display the leadership skills a top elected town official needs. Nor did he offer anything substantial, instead getting lost in cash-flow management and monthly financial statement minutiae instead of taking strong stances on other town issues such as affordable housing and homeowner rights that are normally Republican talking points.

Mr. Brancati also has considerable flaws that should concern voters. His delay in finding a better interest rate for the town’s savings and his failure to keep attorney fees in check have cost taxpayers significantly. He also was slow to respond to the economic collapse and his inflated mortgage tax revenue projections as recently as this summer suggest his financial acumen is questionable at times.

However, Mr. Brancati deserves more credit for his financial achievements. His 2010 budget proposal includes $1.3 million in spending cuts — more than 10% of the total budget. Mr. Brancati also is willing to make the tough decisions — he is proposing employee furloughs, for example — that may alienate him from co-workers and those within his own party, in order to save the taxpayers money. He does not run from taking the financial hit himself either, having voted against a pay increase and then donating it to local first responders when he was overruled by his colleagues on the Town Board. In addition, Mr. Brancati’s work ethic and knowledge of town issues is incomparable, and he has pushed the town forward on longstanding Lewisboro projects such as cellular coverage and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Understandably, voters here have had enough of high taxes and are angered that they may rise significantly while their savings and retirement funds dwindle. Unfortunately, the town’s current financial state, due to years of government spending and the economic downturn, requires a hefty tax raise to balance the budget — even Mr. Brancati’s opponents know there is no other option. Since a change in leadership will not result in a change in voters’ tax bills, Mr. Brancati’s understanding of town government, persistence in cutting spending, and willingness to put in the countless hours to meet the town’s demands, make him the right choice on Tuesday.

Town Board

Civic experience and knowledge of town affairs and finances is critical as the town deals with the budget deficit, complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), erecting a larger building for the library, and handling the aftermath of the county’s affordable housing settlement. Mr. DeLucia, an incumbent Republican, and Planning Board member Maureen Maguire, a Democrat, have the necessary qualities to best meet these demands.

Mr. DeLucia took a leadership role on the Town Board almost immediately after joining it in 2006. Since that time, he has been the board’s hardest working and most vocal member. He has served as the board’s liaison to the Parks and Recreation Department, helping to add the new concession stand and bathroom to the baseball fields at the town park, and was a major player in rescuing the town’s pool project. This summer, he went door to door to local businesses to raise enough money to ensure the town’s fireworks display would be held despite cuts. Mr. DeLucia was the main reason a flawed town deal with the county for ball fields in exchange for building affordable housing units was defeated. He is the board’s biggest proponent for homeowner rights and home rule, and an advocate for lower taxes. Perhaps most importantly, Mr. DeLucia is highly accessible to residents, and not afraid to question any proposal, even popular ones, on their behalf.

Ms. Maguire’s five years on the Planning Board have prepared her well to make the transition to the Town Board. A level-headed town official, Ms. Maguire uses a common-sense approach to protect the environment without sacrificing property rights. She offers an independent voice, challenging aspects of fellow party member and running mate Mr. Brancati’s budget at The Ledger’s debate. As an economist, she has extensive experience in financial forecasting — a major boon to a Town Board that grossly overestimated mortgage tax revenue for this year. And with a Democrat-led Town Board a distinct possibility, Ms. Maguire’s financial conservatism and reluctance to approve excessive government spending would be a welcome addition.