by Jay Lawson
The Webb Property Owners Association (WPOA) hosted a Meet the Candidate Forum in Old Forge on Tuesday, September 1, at the Park Avenue Building.
On hand were Herkimer County Sheriff candidates Chris Farber, incumbent, and Dan Reardon, both Republicans.
Also appearing were opposed candidates running in upcoming Webb races. Following are partial recaps of their statements, in order of candidate appearance.
—
STUART deCAMP
Stuart deCamp, a businessman from Thendara, is an independent candidate for Town of Webb Supervisor.
“I have a lot of tourism experience which I feel is important [and] will enhance the Town of Webb government,” he said.
DeCamp said his travels and experiences have instilled in him significant understanding of our economy’s global nature.
He said today’s ability ease of communication and travel must be embraced for Webb to realize its full potential.
“People can go all over the world, and they can come here as well. And I want to make sure that the Town of Webb is in their focus, and that we continue to have the benefit of decades of return generations of residents and visitors to this community. That keeps our economy going. That allows us to have jobs here. It keeps our school open, and hopefully we will be able to increase enrollment within our school,” he said.
“The Town of Webb is a desirable destination,” deCamp said. “I want it to stay that way. I want to enhance that through tourism, and through the efficiency and management of the municipality.”
“I’m very proud of the [Town of Webb], and I think we can give a lot of kudos to the town employees, the community, the business owners, the not-for-profits, and especially the volunteers that support [all of us],” he said.
I think it’s important that, as a supervisor, you listen to all your department heads and employees and keep the lines of communication open and make smart decisions. We need to be specific. We need to set measurable goals, obtainable goals, realistic goals, and tangible goals. And that’s how we’ll keep this municipality going as it has for the past decades, the past centuries and going on into the future,” deCamp said.
Audience member Arthur Eyre said he is aware of the full-time nature of the supervisor’s job. He asked if deCamp could dedicate the time necessary, given his numerous business interests.
DeCamp said his current full-time obligation is to Eldridge Agency, which he manages locally.
If elected, deCamp said he would turn over daily operations to someone else, while taking on a less time-consuming oversight role.
His other business activities have always been done part-time and are easily managed, he said.
—
ROBERT MOORE
Robert Moore, currently of Thendara, is running for Town of Webb Supervisor as a Democrat.
His family moved to Old Forge in 1970.
“I have lived and worked in the Town of Webb for 45 years. It is my home,” Moore said.
He is employed by Hollister Geomatics, formerly Hollister Associates, a land surveying company.
“I am honored to work with Hollister… a local company that’s existed for over 60 years with a solid reputation for excellence,” he said.
Moore previously served as elected Highway Superintendent for the Town of Webb from 1998 to 2001.
He was then elected and served as Town Supervisor and Budget Director from 2002 to 2011.
He is past-president of the Herkimer County Town Supervisors Association.
He is also past-regional director of the Adirondack Association of Towns & Villages.
He now serves on the Board of Directors for the Hudson River – Black River Regulating District.
“I would be honored to serve as your town supervisor again,” Moore said.
“Having served 14 years as an elected official in the TOW, has provided me with a great deal of hands on experience in the realm of local government and local government finance. Utilizing that experience will enable a seamless transition into the position,” he said.
Moore also said he was anxious to secure town sustainability and explore new opportunities for the town’s future.
“My platform is straightforward. I have no personal agenda. My candidacy is about being of service. My goal is to be a contribution, a continuing contribution to our community. With fresh eyes I will look at what’s working and what’s not working—or not working as well as it could. With fresh ears I will listen to the concerns of all. And in collaboration with the Town Board, [I will] work to improve those items and operations,” he said.
“My motivation boils down to a passion for my home town… I have the experience, the energy and the attitude to serve the entire Town of Webb with passion and devotion. I will do whatever is necessary to serve the people to the best of my ability,” Moore said.
—
JAMES B. HERRON, JR.
James B. (J.B.) Herron is running for reelection to a third term on the Town of Webb Board, as a Republican.
He graduated from Town of Webb High School and studied construction at Mohawk Valley Community College. He lives in Old Forge with his family, and works in the building industry.
Herron said his years of service have caused him to evolve and improve as a board member, having settled into an ideal temperament.
“You have to learn to work with other board member, which I feel I have accomplished,” he said.
Herron said he knows how to stick to his values and principles while working effectively with board members that don’t always agree with him.
“And I respect everybody that I’ve worked with,” he said. “Some I disagree with more than others, but they are all a dedicated group of people and I enjoy each and every one of them.”
Herron said he has supported many initiatives that have benefited the community and taken the lead role on many as well.
He cited the extensive work that was required in transitioning the Town of Webb to a modern waste disposal operation.
A lot of work was done to upgrade the local refuse processing facility, he said.
This allows for greater efficiency and savings for the town, and coordinated the town with the single-stream recycling operation of the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority.
“That was something I had wanted to do for quite a while, when I first got elected,” Herron said.
But the initiative stalled until the savings could be established conclusively, he said. And they eventually were.
“But most things you don’t do alone as a board member,” Herron said. “You did it with four other people.”
For that reason it’s important to have a board with diverse backgrounds and experiences, according to Herron.
He said his building background has allowed for valuable input that would have otherwise been lacking in the discussion.
“And, I don’t always vote with the crowd. If I don’t believe in something, I will vote ‘no,’” Herron said.
—
BILL BROOKER
Bill Brooker, Republican candidate for the Town of Webb Board, has lived in the town for 45 years. He graduated from Town of Webb High School, where he was later a renowned ski coach for 20 years.
“I’ve run construction businesses in this town; I currently own Brooker True Value Hardware,” he said.
Brooker said the idea of serving his fellow Webb citizens in elected office was something he had always considered.
Now seems like the ideal time, he said, with his daughters currently in college at St. Lawrence University.
He said he has also acquired the knowledge, the experience, the time and the energy to serve effectively.
Brooker added that his contact with the public as a business person has acquainted him with many of the cares and concerns of the community.
Brooker said he believes he has the ability to address those concerns on the town board and move the community in a better direction.
Brooker said he’s well acquainted with the the local tourist economy locally and its seasonal nature.
He also understands the need for visitors and residents to have positive experiences in this community, so they return here, settle here, and recommend the Town of Webb to others as a destination and location for first and second homes.
“Through my store and through my construction business, I have employed multitudes of people. I’ve trained them as a contractor. Many of them have gone on to become successful contractors,” Brooker said.
He said these people and others like them stabilize the community.
“I’ve always treated my employees with respect. I’ve always given them the income needed to live here in Old Forge. I’ve always wanted to hire from Old Forge,” Brooker said.
He also works with local businesses and tradesmen, he said.
“I try to keep all the business I can local, knowing that everything that I’ve spent is coming back around from people who are able to enjoy living here, being here, staying here,” he said.
Brooker said that in the Town of Webb it’s important to anticipate upcoming seasons well in advance. That will be the way he operates on the Town Board, he said.
Brooker said he is also mindful of the tax revenue that Webb generates and the need to receive services in return.
Brooker said his store has collected and forwarded $650,000 in sales taxes during the 13 years he has owned it.
If it turns out that some of that money is better used locally, where it has been generated, Brooker said he wants to see it returned.
Brooker said he plans to work with Herkimer County Legislator Patrick Russell in making a case for more local reinvestment of sales tax revenues.
He said Legislator Russell deserves two votes on the 17-member legislature given the revenue his district generates for the county.
Brooker said he is also exploring the needs of the aging community in the Town of Webb and communicating with the director of the Herkimer County Office for the Aging.
—
BARBARA GREEN
Barb Green of Old Forge is running for seat on the Town Board as a Republican.
She moved to the area year-round when she was 23.
She has been a hair dresser most of her life primarily. She is an artist and basket weaver. She is newly married to Matt Martin.
Green previously served two non-consecutive terms on the Town of Webb Board. She currently serves on the planning board.
Her desire to seek another term is rooted in a desire to give back to her community. She also has greater time availability at the current stage of her life. And her experiences are greater as well, she said, which will allow her to do a more effective job.
She currently serves on the Town of Webb’s Master Plan Review Committee.
“The town has invested in me over the years through various education opportunities,” she said. She has participated twice in the Association of Towns conference.
She has also participated in Local Government Days at Lake Placid.
She has understanding of the topics of emergency preparedness and invasive species.
She was involved in the early stages of the TOBIE project, which was completed locally after 14 years.
“I sat on the committee responsible for research, design and construction of the Highway Department Garage and shared services with the DOT, putting in the sand and salt storage facility on the same property,” she said.
“During Chief Robert Dibble’s tenure, I served on a committee researching shared services with Inlet Police Department.”
“If elected to the position of councilperson, my first priority will be to help prepare and adhere to a sufficient and effective budget. Unless it involves something specific and unforeseen that negatively affects a department, I won’t vote to approve any extra expenditure. If it hasn’t been budgeted for, it can wait. I don’t believe in finding money in the budget for last minute items that aren’t truly necessary.”
“Secondly I will support the conversation regarding assisted living in our area. I do believe the time is now for that need to be addressed,” she said.
—
Webb council candidates that were unable to attend, but who provided written statements, were George Hiltebrant and David Berkstresser.