The race for Goshen Town Supervisor

The Chronicle asked each candidate these questions:

1. Personal information. I.E. job, community service, some people include their families, etc.

2. Why are you running for office and why should people vote for you?

3. What is the most critical issue before the town or village and what can be done about it?

Here are their responses:

Joseph Betro, Republican, Conservative

I am the owner of Delancey’s Restaurant and Otterkill Country Club. I have been a Goshen resident since 1999, when I move here from Chester with my wife Kristine and our three children. I currently sit on the board of Cornerstone Theatre Arts and the Goshen Historic Track. I am active in many youth sports organizations as well as high school sports. During the pandemic, I am proud to say, my staff and I made and donated more than 2000 meals to first responders and families in need. I am a firm believer that all businesses should give back and support the towns and villages that support them.

I am seeking the vote of all Goshen residents. I believe I am the candidate with the most knowledge to continue down the current path in keeping taxes in check. I also want the residents to know that with growth comes issues and we need to preserve the quality of life we currently have by understanding the growth issues and respecting the residents needs as well as cost containment for taxpayers. Public safety can become an issue. I want to make sure our police and first responders have the tools needed to handle growth. With growth comes open access issues and I believe we have a big issue in this area. We need to expand on existing parks and recreational areas, we need to build some new facilities so that our children and grandchildren are afforded the same access that we have enjoyed. Currently, I am told, 35 snoopy soccer children had to be put on a waiting list and did not enjoy a season filled with friendship and laughter. This is unacceptable and we can do better. Another issue is our water and sewer districts. Water and sewer are essential components to our residents and they need addressing, I have a plan and I will work tirelessly until they are resolved.

The Salesian building has become a critical public safety issue. The building can no longer be maintained and needs to be demolished. The current board has been working on this issue for many years and a solution is in place to bring it down with a cost tag of almost 1 million dollars that we will borrow. I have a plan that will take the building down at zero cost to the taxpayer. If elected I will begin working on this plan immediately.

Ken Newbold, Democrat, Goshen Matters

Late wife Lynda moved here 40 years ago and raised our two children Ken Jr. and Samantha. I am a volunteer for St. John’s Knights Of Columbus, Goshen Food Pantry, Rotary and Senior Center.

It has been an honor to have served as a councilmen for the last 24 years. I bring years of experience and knowledge to address the needs of the citizens of Goshen. As Supervisor I will bring a new model of collaborative leadership. Open dialogue. Honest sharing of information. committed to a fresh approach to town government. I will improve the communication with the public, educate members of the community on all the issues, to get a consensus in order to find solutions to the challengers we face. Town Government has to work with the people, not special interest.

Serious growth. We need to be strategic in how to capitalize on the positive aspects while managing the challengers. We have launched economic initiatives new factories, housing developments, amusement park. How do we meet the effects they bring? We must engage in community dialogue to strive for a balance between progress and over-development. The demands on our public services are huge. The highway, police, Dial-a-Bus, recreation and senior programs.

We can all agree change is inevitable but we have to be pro active, not reactive.