InterviewStatement to the Journal News Editorial Board

By Leo A.W. Wiegman

Leo's written responses to the prepared questions posed by the paper's editors.

Village Trustee (elected, 2001-2007), Teatown Lake Reservation, Board of Trustees Member, Ossining, NY, (2007-present), WDFH FM 90.3, Community Radio, Media Coordinator, Ossining NY (2008-present), Stream & Herring Monitoring Volunteer, Westchester County, NY (2007-present), Harmon Economic Development Committee, (2007-present), Croton Sustainable Energy Cooperative Co-founder (2002-present) Croton American Youth Soccer Organization, Coach, Coach Trainer, Referee (1996-present), Croton Democrats, District Leader, Vice Chair, or Campaign Chair (1995-present), The Real Deal column, (2007-present).

Ballot lines: Croton Taxpayers, Democrats

Occupation: Founder of E to the Fourth Strategic Communications, an environmental consulting firm that environmental organizations communicate better (2008-present); Book editor and publisher (1980-2008).

Please tell us why you are running for office or seeking re-election.

We are residents of the most heavily taxed region in the nation. The rising costs of Village services will continue to fall disproportionately on the homeowner. We will drive away the young couples shopping for first homes and drive out the seniors who have long been the backbone of the village+unless we begin to shift that tax burden away from households. There are many potential opportunities to do something about this issue. But make no mistake about it. The current village board majority is not interested in true innovation, and not capable of true cooperation and collaboration. The Croton we fell in love was the "little village that could," and we did begin to control our destiny with public river frontage, open space, trails, commuter parking, and more. But in the past four years we have become the "little village that won't."

What in your personal, civic or professional experience recommends your election or return to office?

I get things done. I am good at bringing people together around common goals and interests. I am not afraid of dealing with complex matters and not afraid to say I do not have all the answers. I let others take credit and make them feel respected for taking part. I don't micromanage. I have considerable background in energy and environment related topics and bring a nation-wide network of experts on these topics to the table.

Many voters are concerned about the "quality of life" in their communities' matters that might run the gamut from traffic woes to public-safety concerns. If elected or returned to office, are there specific policies or initiatives you would undertake as priorities?

1. Immediately adopt the bicycle and pedestrian safety principles: The Mayor has been stalling the adoption of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee's Master Plan, a project underway already for over 2 and a half years. Safer streets and sidewalks are a must!

2. Audit the municipal energy use comprehensively: It is embarrassing how out of touch Croton has become in the past 4 years with all the environmental work that needs attention. The village's annual utility costs are currently approaching $500,000. We need to lower that! Everything we undertake has both economic and energy implications. As the energy internet economy emerges, the Village needs to prepare itself to be a regional leader, not only in environmental matters. If we don't audit our current energy usage completely, we'll have no idea how to lower those costs.

Many family budgets in our communities are strained by high property taxes, chiefly the school-tax component. To what extent are you satisfied or dissatisfied with non-school government spending? How would your spending or taxing priorities differ from the status quo? Are there specific changes you would seek to enact?

1. Immediately initiate the review process for the suggested zoning adjustments for the Harmon business district: The value of the tax rolls in Croton peaked in 2004 and has not recovered since. We have not done nearly enough to address that underlying reality. The current Mayor and board has done a decent job on managing the cost side of the ledger. But the Mayor has been visionless on how build property valuation back up. He says repeatedly, it is just a transition, as if we should be passive about it. We specifically wrote the Harmon recommendations for allowing mixed-use close to a transit hub as minimally invasive surgery in the village code, to both facilitate adoption and leave the underlying code undisturbed (and to be able to lean on prior environmental review work). We need to carefully examine the proposals and concerns. Instead the Mayor's stalling tactics have cost us a half year or more. The Harmon zoning adjustments can be summed up in 6 words, "More options for Harmon business owners!"

2.Look more closely at all the cost and revenue opportunities: Croton is blessed with many individuals with financial and economic expertise. The village needs to be aware of any and all opportunities to manage both the cost and revenue side of its annual budget. Further, new projects of many different kinds often have financial implications that should be examined as carefully as we might examine their environmental or social impacts. Therefore, the village will establish a 4 to 5 person panel of volunteers with appropriate professional or personal experience in the areas of finance and economic policy. This Economic Advisory Panel will be available to assist both village staff and village board, as a point of first reflection for new ideas that have financial impacts on the village. Website: http://crotondems.org # # #