REPUBLICAN LINE "B" CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY LEGISLATURE (12TH DISTRICT)

KEVIN HINES

   845-563-9408

 

1. Please discuss your views on KJ and the law.

    If you read the front of my palm card you will see a statement "I'll work to protect our valuable water resources and make sure all communities follow the same set of rules."  Large building projects must come to the County Planning Department for review.  It seems KJ builds the projects and than addresses the issues after, or during construction.  I don't discriminate against anyone, I just want all people to be treated fairly.

2. Please present your views on the Orange County Sewer District budget and governance.

    Orange County does a fine job in running the sewer district in the Harriman area.  It is funded by the people who use it.  It is critical to reserve the remaining sewer capacity for the MOUNTCO project (former Camp LaGuardia Property).  The residents of Blooming Grove and Chester are meeting now to discuss how that project can fit into their respective communities.  Reserving the sewer capacity will allow that project to be successful.
 

3.  Please discuss your views on the County Water Master Plan and the Orange County Water Authority.

     The County Water Master Plan was developed to explore areas where communities could get water from neighboring areas.  Of late, not much work has been done since we haven't had any recent water shortages.  I do believe the County needs to make an effort to purchase, or assist Cornwall On Hudson in purchasing the Mountainville wells owned by the boys school at KJ.  That will protect the nearby wells owned by Cornwall on Hudson and allow them to make a decision on possibly selling water to Washingtonville in the event it becomes necessary.  It should be the residents of Cornwall On Hudson that make the decision as to their ability to supply water to another community.  It can't be considered unless those wells are protected.  My opponent was offered the wells for free during his time as Cornwall Supervisor and his failure to act on it has caused this problem. The Orange County Water Authority is made up of volunteers appointed by the County Executive and approved by the Legislature. They function as an advisor board.  I would support adding elected officials to the board.

4. Discuss your position on accountability/integrity officer.

     I am against this position.  In these tough economic times, the last thing we need is another layer of government.  This position would require staffing and other associated costs.  Both of my opponents sought the endorsements of the Conservative Party and the Independence Party.  I was ENDORSED by BOTH based on my positions on smaller government, fiscal responsibility, no off budget spending, and open government.  The bipartisan committee reviewing this issue has not found any problems with any department heads.  There have been no allegations of misappropriation of funds.  Spending issues are reviewed daily.  If elected I will spend the time to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely.  Creating this position would require a tax increase.  I do not want to create any new positions while we are in a hiring freeze.

5. Please discuss the Orange County Budget and the 2010 issues.

    The biggest problem with the budget is unfunded mandates.  The County was hit with a projected 8.5 million drop in sales tax revenue while at the same time the pension contribution is up 6.5 million and social services costs increased 18 million.  We can take these hits this year and next because of surplus funds and stimulus money.  The real challenge will come in 2011 if the economy doesn't recover.  We must remain vigilant in our efforts to reduce spending and control costs while still delivering the necessary services to our citizens.

6. How do you feel about the County using staffing to avoid layoffs...?

   We are currently in a hiring freeze to avoid layoffs.  We must do all we can to avoid layoffs.  We have great workers on the County payroll and I would like to keep it that way.  Unlike other Counties, Orange County has not had to lay off any workers this year.   This was accomplished by sound fiscal leadership.

7.  Discuss your views on an Independent Controller.

   I am not in favor of creating any more layers of government.  Just as in my response to question 4, I am for small government.

8.  How can you bring good paying jobs to Orange County?

    I will continue to work with the Orange County Partnership, specifically the Industrial Development Agency.  Orange County just had a grand opening of the Orange County Accelerator.  This is a facility that allows new business to use the building and get the necessary tax incentives to get started.  It will be a real asset to our area.
  We are lucky to live in an area with great infrastructure for job creation.  We have new access to link Route 84 with the Thruway avoiding the congestion.  I see this as an area of growth in the transportation industry.  Stewart Airport is also an area we can grow.   Government doesn't create jobs, businesses do.  We need to continue to fight the job killing MTA payroll tax imposed on Orange County.  That tax has added an additional $500,000 to the Orange County payroll alone.

I would like to thank the residents who attended the debate.  I wish we had more time to get into the issues.

   I am running for County Legislator as I think I can help.  I have spent my entire adult life helping people, having joined the Cornwall Fire Dept at the age of 16.  I have spent many nights on the mountain responding to fire calls over the years.  I am the Assistant Chief of the Cornwall Fire Dept and I know what it is like to try to get a fire truck up the mountain on the roads we spoke about at the debate.

    If elected I will be available to all the residents by email : KevinW.Hines@gmail.com and telephone.  I will attend the Town Board meetingto keep everybody informed on issues at the County level.  I also pledge to listen to your concerns and help whenever possible.

     In my professional capacity, I am The Director of Negotiations at Finkelstein & Partners.  I supervisor a team of professional negotiators.  Nobody expects an overwhelming majority in the Legislature so I see myself as one who can cross the aisle and work to bring compromise to get the job done.

    Thank you for your time and consideration.