Linda Keeling candidate for Town Board
Previous Public Service:
Elementary Teacher/ Substitute six local districts / Tutor / 15 yrs.
Town of Red Hook records management project director, 9 yrs
Village of Red Hook records management project director, 2 yrs
Friends of Elmendorph, Life Member, former Board Secretary/Publicity
Egbert Benson Historical Society, Life Member, former President / Secretary
NDH Mothers’ Club, Honorary member, former President, vice pres., 23 yrs.
Church Street Nursery School, vice pres. 1 yr.
Boy Scouts Leader, 2 yrs.
PTA, treasurer, 2 yrs.T/RH
Conservation Advisory Council, 12 yrs.
DC Environmental Management Council Rep., 12 yrs.
REBAGIT: encouraged county recycling programs, 1 yr.
Village Revitalization Committee, 2 yrs.
Hardscrabble / Appleblossom Community Events, 15 yrs.
Town of Red Hook Hockey Fundraising, 2 yrs.
Citizens Advocating a Safe Environment (CASE):
defeated county ash landfill, 1 yr
Village Tree Committee, member, grant writer,
3 yrs
 
 

What did the incumbent fail to accomplish?
The incumbents have failed to stand up to Supervisor Bump’s closed minded philosophy on Open Government. They failed to assure that state and federal laws are adhered to regarding Freedom of Information requests. They failed in assuring that persons with disabilities can participate in government sponsored or supported community events. They have failed to oversee and correct Supervisor Bump’s inactions regarding timely agenda preparation or actions taken without Board review, like the recent 2006 Community Development Block Grant. They have failed in their general lack of concern for the financial impact on the taxpayer of multiple Bond Anticipation Notes, late decisions, like the highway garage construction, and future decisions like trail maintenance costs. In general, the present administration does not listen to the voices of the people; it appears they listen to the boss Supervisor Bump.
 
What would be your goals?
The Save Our Town Committee and I believe in fairness, listening to the voices of the people and proposing a fresh approach. My goals are to provide outreach to the public through real Open Government as it applies to FOILs, agenda postings, current website information, participation by persons with disabilities and Board decision-making based on informed consensus. Before any Board decisions or actions are taken, appropriate in-house staff, like the Assessor and Town lawyer, would analyze the potential fiscal implications of such action and offer alternatives and recommendations. We should use the expertise of the town’s attorney rather than pay exorbitant fees from NYC attorneys.
 
What are the issues facing the community?
The main issue is private and institutional housing growth which has a domino effect in other areas: taxing government and educational services, reducing farm viability, increasing road maintenance, reducing open spaces and driving taxes up and the locals out. A varied educated community needs jobs created locally to provide a living wage and roots in the community over time. Our youth and seniors need a future building location for non-athletic recreational uses.
 
How would you address them?
More Purchase of Development Rights would be encouraged for farmers to protect the land from inappropriate development. Farm viability needs the next generation willing to manage the land. The schools would be encouraged to offer training in this area and other non-college time-honored professions like plumber, carpenter, mechanic and electrician. An employee with web building background or training would be used to assure information is current, accurate and usable for the public. The tax exempt institutions would be encouraged to provide revenue donations to help off-set additional costs for emergency and fire equipment vehicles. Through studies, planning and grants, an alternative multi-recreational building could be built or leased for youth and seniors.
 
Why should voters elect you? 
Save Our Town is truly the voice of the people; we owe no favors to any political group. For decades, I have protected local citizens’ community interests and championed new ideas and strategies for Red Hook including the suggestion to have the town attorney present during Board meetings. I attained a grant to buy a newspaper trailer for the Town’s CAC recycling center, helping to solve the waste disposal problem. Through membership in Citizens Advocating a Safe Environment, we defeated the county’s proposed ash landfill in Red Hook, thereby protecting our natural resources and holding the line on county taxes by not having to create an artificial wetlands. I researched, applied and managed the Town and Village’s SARA records management grants by disposing nearly 5 tons of paper documents and establishing a microfilming procedure. This has helped all Red Hook citizens find, use and protect municipal records. By writing grants for the Red Hook Mural Project and the historical society’s walking tour brochure, our local history is promoted and visually available to locals and tourists. I continuously speak out for the rights of persons with disabilities and seniors so they may participate effectively at public meetings and events. Through my long time fundraising and restoration involvement, the historic Elmendorph Inn is available to all for community uses. As a volunteer, over 70 trees have been planted in the Village of Red Hook. Soon another 100 trees will improve the local living environment through my grant writing efforts. As a retired educator, I can offer even more time and innovative thinking to solve problems, inform the public, ensure their participation and oversee fiscal restraints.

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