Rapid-fire format a departure from CAP-21’s earlier pre-primary forum

A second Candidates’ Night was held this week at Old Forge’s View—this time sponsored by the Central Adirondack Association (CAA)—with audience members getting a chance to hear Town of Webb hopefuls at a more advanced stage of candidacy, and Election Day just two weeks off.

The field of Webb candidates was only slightly smaller than CAP-21’s pre-primary event, with only George Hiltebrant missing.

Hiltebrant had elected to go all-or-nothing in the primary and was narrowly nixed by Democratic opponent Dave Berkstresser.

Making up the difference, however, on Tuesday, October 25, were the two candidates for Herkimer County Sheriff: Chris Farber, the incumbent, and Tim Klock.

Other candidates were those running for Town Supervisor—Richard Risley, Dave Berk-stresser, Ted Riehle, and Stuart deCamp.

Town Council candidates were incumbent J.B. Herron, Bob McCoy, and Pat Perkins. Mary Brophy-Moore, who was unable to attend much of the forum due to a Zoning Board conflict, arrived later.

Town Justice candidates were incumbent Patrick Venetz and John “Jack” Graham.

Candidates for County Legislator, District 15, were incumbent Patrick Russell and Jon Hansen.

The assigned seating had like candidates grouped together for the most part—Supervisor, Council, Justice.

The exception was the cluster at the far left, which had the county legislator and county sheriff candidates separated from their opponents. Later, when soft animosities bubbled a time or two, the seating arrangements seemed appropriate.

Since most in the audience had long since become acquainted with the candidates, moderator Deb Carhart suspended the opening statements and got right to the questions that were provided, in writing, by audience members beforehand.

Responses were limited to just one minute—a noticeable difference from CAP-21’s event, which allowed significantly more.

Consequently, candidates were challenged a bit in having to form quick answers and deliver them in the allotted time.

Dave Etsen watched the clock as Sandy Booton signaled the candidates when they needed to start wrapping up their answers.

One question however, took just a second for each candidate to answer:

Have you attended any Town Board meetings in the last six months?

Risley and J.B.—both active councilmen—predictably said yes, as did Riehle, and McCoy.

Mary Brophy-Moore, who was not there for the question, could have answered yes, as well.

Legislator Russell, who attends board meetings occasionally—usually when a county matter is on the agenda—said he was uncertain about his attendance in the past six months.

Hansen, Venetz, Graham, Berkstresser, deCamp, and Perkins all said no.

It would have meant an extra star had either Sheriff candidate attended a meeting—given that they hail from the opposite side of the county—but they also answered no.

What would you do about the deer problem in the Town of Webb?

Different candidates theorized about the cause, but no one forwarded a solution that could be derived from the municipal level—beyond what’s already being done through signage, education, and awkward law enforcement.

Ted Riehle said that, short of an effective deterrent, which seems more and more elusive, pragmatism may force us to embrace our human/whitetail existence as part of the local charm.

When the candidates were asked how they felt about a bed tax, none of them were on-board with the idea.

“It would just be another tax for Herkimer County to invest elsewhere,” said Risley, adding that the Town of Webb is the only municipality that reinvests its county sales tax proceeds to juice the local economy.

Berkstresser agreed it wouldn’t benefit Webb.

“And we would be the major contributor to that bed tax. So unless they could come up with a better way for redistribution of those monies, no, I don’t see where it would benefit us,” he said.

Herron’s approach was more nuanced.

“I’m against the county getting a bed tax, but I’m not necessarily against the Town of Webb instating a bed tax and keeping the money here,” he said.

And that would only be if the county slammed us with a change in the current configuration of disbursement. Currently Webb receives more than $1 million a year, he said.

“I’m not a fan of taxes, but we do have a lot of expenses as citizens of the Town of Webb, through tourism. It just needs to be investigated,” Herron said.

When the supervisor/council candidates were asked how they were familiarizing themselves with issues currently facing the town, supervisor-hopeful deCamp described how he has been talking to the principals involved with the health center, the East Side Pump Station, and Lock & Dam.

He said he has been holding town meetings with the community also.

A question directed to Town Justice candidates regarding their judicial philosophy, Justice Venetz described a case that came before his court where he compelled the perpetrator to take responsibility for his act, yet made it so he was able to leave town and make a fresh start.

Graham, also a justice candidate, explained that he is motivated to help people and give back to the community. He will give lawbreakers a chance to right their course—particularly if they are young—but if they are unable, as justice, he will right it for them.

The supervisor/council candidates were asked if there had been any board decisions that they disagreed with.

Dave Berkstresser was not a particular fan of the TOBIE Trail.

Richard Risley said that, as councilman, he voices his dissent and votes against projects he doesn’t believe in.

But once a resolution is passed, he said feels it right to take ownership along with the rest of the board—whether or not he agreed.

Bob McCoy said he faulted the board for not taking a vote on whether to install the rink materials needed for hockey play.

He said that community members took the time to gather lots of signatures, and they deserved to have a vote taken by the town board.

And how did the candidates feel about public transportation in the Town of Webb?

The candidates thought it to be a great idea—SOME day. Most said the town should steer clear if possible, preferring that the private sector spur such a project.

Dave Berkstresser drew from the annals of history, describing how Maude Joy was able to make a go of it for years with a local taxi service.

Pat Perkins espoused on several occasions his general aversion to spending money that one doesn’t have, and that held solid when it came to public transportation.

“It doesn’t make sense to me,” he said.

He opposed a bed tax on similar grounds.

“We’re taxed enough with sales tax, income tax—do we really need to throw another tax into the mix?” he said.

The establishment of a local respite center for seniors was attractive to the candidates, more so than a community day care, which Berkstresser feared would compete with providers in the private sector.

And public cost was an issue as well.

“It would be a neat thing to have, but taxpayers should not subsidize it,” Risley said.

But even a senior respite center caused wariness in the context of today’s economy.

“It’s not a bad idea,” Riehle said. “But now’s not the right time.”

The candidates also had ideas for improving the area as a tourist draw.

Risley targeted the need to keep the Town of Webb at the top tier of snowmobile destinations.

“There’s more we could be doing,” he said. “We’re charging for the trails, they need to be the best trails.”

Riehle stressed the need to maintain and improve local infrastructure.

According to deCamp, the town needs to consider a tourism market beyond what Webb has grown accustomed to.

“We have to reach out to larger metropolitan areas, those up to a five-hour drive,” he said.

And for more year-round economic stability, he said the town should see about making itself available for the location of a college or other educational institution.

Herron said the busy times of year are quite good, so the focus should be on stimulating off-season activity.

Perkins said the town approach should be allowing businesses to do their thing.

“And we need to put our best foot forward when people come to visit,” he said.

The two sheriff candidates discussed the county jail somewhat.

Tim Klock said he would like to figure a way to expand and fix up the existing jail, make it usable.

“But if we can’t, then we need to move on,” he said.

Sheriff Farber emphasized the partnerships his department has been involved with in with the Town of Webb.

He cited the 1,067 hours the county has spent in patrolling the Fulton Chain of Lakes this past summer, where he said, “Our mission is safety.”

He also described the 14 extra deputies that come up from Herkimer for times like Fourth of July weekend.

Klock said he was interested in bringing a bailiff to the local court to help with security.

Klock also touted his years as a law enforcement officer, which Farber dismissed.

Farber said the job involves administration and business decisions, including the managing of department finances.

“Your job as Sheriff is to serve the taxpayer,” Farber said.

Along that line, Farber said the jail project as he sees it, amounts to a wise investment for taxpayers; he said it provides a needed facility while keeping tax dollars from leaving Herkimer County.

But if you had to pick a “marquee match-up” for the night, it would probably be the one between the two County Legislature candidates; mainly because they had not appeared previously on the same stage.

Jon Hansen was at the CAP-21 forum in September, but Legis-lator Patrick Russell did not appear due to a scheduling conflict.

Hansen said he wanted to be elected and see open government and accountability in Herkimer, two things he said are currently lacking.

“I’d like to include citizens in the government process. And I also would like to stop the party of closed caucuses,” he said.

“I don’t like this good-ol’-boy secret stuff…that’s going on now, because it’s probably government at its worst,” Hansen said.

Legislator Russell, who Hansen hopes to unseat, questioned the value of his opponents words.

“Experience and results is a lot more important than listening to a bunch of rhetoric,” he said.

“I have been your legislator for 12 years,” he said to the audience. “I serve as your Majority Leader, and I have served as your Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Change can be good, but change can be bad. I don’t think this community wants to lose those two positions that we fought so hard to get.”

Both Russell and Hansen were asked how they would lower taxes or return more money to the Town of Webb.

Hansen said, “First we need to stop spending money. The government itself is kiltering on bankruptcy. And we all don’t like to say it—you try not to think that—but that’s the truth. So we have to realize we’ve got to cut spending.”

Russell said the Town of Webb will likely see an increase in revenue soon in the form of a greater share of the county’s sales tax redistribution.

He said the formula used for redistribution is based on 50 percent population and 50 percent property value.

So, after the 2012 Town of Webb Revaluation—which will bring local assessments up to full market value—the Town will realize more proceeds from the sales tax redistribution.

“That could help offset property taxes in the Town of Webb,” he said.

As far as cuts to spending, Russell explained why county spending cuts are difficult.

He said 72 percent of the county budget goes to fund nine social services programs mandated by the state and federal governments.

That’s where the big costs are, and that’s where spending needs to be cut if any noticeable effect is going to be felt in the form of lower property taxes.

The next time these candidates are scheduled to meet, is when they appear together on the ballot, November 8th.

weeklyadk@yahoo.com