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YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- The Daily Yorktown asked the candidates for town board and town supervisor the following five questions: Why are you running for your position? What are the biggest issues facing Yorktown? How do you propose to fix these issues? How are your solutions and approaches different than other candidates? What experience do you have to hold such a position?
Tom DeChiaro is a Republican candidate, and a write-in Conservative candidate for Yorktown Town Councilman.
1. Why are you running for your position?
Over the last few years I have seen a steady decline in the quality of life and a substantial increase in the tax burden of Yorktown residents. These issues will continue to worsen as a result of the complete mismanagement of our town by the current board. They continue to push a platform of governmental intrusion, burdensome regulations and excessive fees that has stifled innovation and commercial investments in our town. Our commercial tax base is only 10% of the total taxes collected and this leaves a huge burden on our homeowners.
The status quo has not served Yorktown residents well. It is time for a new vision and innovative ideas to help solve the serious fiscal challenges we will face over the next few years.
2. & 3. What are the biggest issues facing Yorktown and how I would fix these issues?
Economic Development
Yorktown needs to be more receptive and inviting to its business constituents. For too many years, businesses have been treated as unwelcomed intruders. We must proactively seeking out businesses and encouraging investment in our town and we have an obligation to implement regulatory reform that will attract and encourage small businesses.
Lower Property Taxes
By increasing revenues from other sources such as; Our business tax base, sales tax and by revitalizing and selling some properties that the town has taken off the tax roles.
Excessive Fees
I pledge to end the current practice of open ended escrow fees. These fees provide no financial benefit to the town, but only to outside consultants. Applicants have no input as to how their money is appropriated, and because there is NO LIMIT on the fees that may be charged, this practice is also unconstitutional.
4. How are your solutions and approaches different than other candidates?
The incumbent members of the Town Council have, for far too long, placed obstacles in the path of business people and commercial property owners seeking to locate or invest in Yorktown. This anti-business policy has caused our homeowners to bear 90% of the property tax burden in the Town with only 10% of the tax burden being carried by our commercial tax base. If this anti-business stance is not reversed immediately homeownership in Yorktown will be a thing of the past for many of our residents. Under the pressure of a primary, my opponent pays lip service to the idea of improving the business climate in Town, however, during his 16 years on the Board he has relentlessly fought against anyone seeking to locate or expand a business in Yorktown. My positionon these major issues represents a stark contrast to the current administration. Im a firm believer in limited government, fiscal restraint and the protection of personal property rights. I also believe in preserving our towns history and historical structures. I believed this so strongly that in 2005 I purchased and restored the Old Stone Church, now the beautiful Winery at St. George in Mohegan Lake. Anyone who has seen been inside this Yorktown gem can attest to my commitment and investment in our town.
5. What experience do you have to hold such a position?
I am the owner of The Winery at St. George, a Yorktown small business housed in the Old Stone Church on Rt.6 in Mohegan Lake.
Adjunct Professor at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC, I teach a course titled Engineering and Computer Science Management within the School of Engineering and Computer Science.
Formerly Senior VP at a global defense contractor and liaison to U.S. Government Agencies as well as Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, IBM, Microsoft, and Hewlett Packard, to name a few.
Formerly Senior I/T Program Director at IBM and responsible for driving business transformation across the IBM Corporate Enterprise, resulting in streamlined processes and cost savings.
Member of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce and other local Chambers. Member of the New York Farm Bureau and New York Wine and Grape Foundation
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