Local Businesses Need the Support of the Town Board

By J. Mark Drexel

Small business in Yorktown needs a strong advocate in Town Hall.

Never before in Yorktown's history have we needed new ideas and fresh thinking in Yorktown Town Hall. Our Town is stagnating, over taxed and growing too costly. Shops and businesses are closing at an alarming rate. Yorktown business owners are keenly aware of the issues facing the town, from out of control taxes and `runaway' town hall expenses, to neglecting important issues such as growing crime, and worsening traffic. Many Yorktown residents and businesses will say they came to Yorktown because we had a local police force, safe streets, and a quality standard of living. Today, we have town leadership advocating we abandon our local police force, the very `force' we need right now to protect our quality of life.

I have heard time and again that the Yorktown Board is opposed to development, refuses to help guide investors interested in developing business and jobs in Yorktown, and unwilling to open up the town to responsible growth and prosperity. I say it is due to lack of experienced and skilled leadership that is complacent and opposed to new and fresh ideas. We have had too many reports, too many studies, too many plans. It appears that good ideas presented to Town Hall fall into a `black hole' and nothing seems to get done.

If we allow this to continue, Yorktown runs the risk of losing its image as a safe, secure and progressive town for all residents to enjoy, and afford.

What we need in Yorktown Town Hall is skilled and proven leadership. We need people with new ideas, fresh thinking, passion and commitment. And, we need proven solutions and people who stand behind those solutions; who execute and implement quickly for the good of the whole community. As a town board member, I will make it a priority to support local business re-vitalization and development which will generate sensible growth and employment opportunities.

Small business in Yorktown needs a strong advocate in Town Hall. I will be a clear and determined voice for the interests of local businesses by addressing public policy issues with respect to business advocacy, economic development and the quality of life in our community. It's time town hall worked constructively with the Chamber of Commerce to implement strategies that help drive growth and prosperity.