Readers Handicap Village Council Candidates

Union Bug logo on Paul Aronsohn flier

Readers Handicap Village Council Candidates

My take on Forenza is he’s a bureaucrat… and we have too many of those at VH as it is right now. Yes, he knows budgets and it seems he knows overtime real well too. I don’t agree with some of his positions, don’t know his views on some issues, but I do not feel he’d be good to have on the VC . We need less overhead and bureaucracy, more focus on the basics like infrastructure and to stop spending on all the other stuff until we put our house in order financially and get the basic stuff that’s been neglected for years back into good shape. I don’t see him being part of that process.

My take on Hauck: Lots of form, but little substance. Nice web site with obviously very professional pics of her in front of VH etc. But not much substance I could find there, nor much in the way of original thought. Most of the content is articles written by others.

That’s OK as far as it goes, but what are some of her original thoughts, views and positions about the many issues we all face here now? There was also no info on her site about the Valley issue, though I think her position on that one is pretty clear. But what about all the other stuff?

In the Monday night session, she clearly didn’t have the best evening, read mostly from notes and seemed to need questions repeated (which is fine). But there too I didn’t see much substance, really.

My take on Pucciarelli: Obviously very smart, plenty of relevant experience. Substance is not an issue with him– he brings a lot to the table. Valley issue is a problem in that he must recuse himself, and has done so on PB in the past. But otherwise he might be a valuable asset to have on the VC.

Big negative for me was Aronsohn’s endorsement of him (along with Hauck). If Aronsohn endorsed me, I’d be quick to say no thanks, don’t count me as being in your camp.

My take on Aronsohn: I’ve written before how I started thinking about this election inclined to support him. After doing a lot of review and homework though, I concluded that was very misguided. While his position (of the moment anyhow) aligns with mine on some issues, there are too many other negatives, the biggest of which is I don’t feel I can trust him.
Says he’s for rescinding the H zone amendments, but at same time gets up and endorses others who are for current Valley plan. Says his agenda is Ridgewood’s interests only — first and foremost. Change “Ridgewood” above to “Paul” and I think that might be more accurate. Took taxpayer paid benefits for part time VC service when no one else did so, then wouldn’t disclose it until only very recently.

Doubt very much he’s someone who will really control spending and focus on getting the basics fixed and stop all the “adventures” we’ve had here for quite some time now. Talks about need to walk and chew gum at same time… feels Killion can’t … yet then proceeds to endorse Hauck, who didn’t seem too skilled Monday night on that to me.

My take on Shinozuka: I support her, I think for one thing it’s time for her part of town to have VC representation. In addition, while perhaps not a polished speaker, she comes off as smart, sincere, caring.
Most impt, to me, her agenda seems only Ridgewood and doing what she thinks is right for the Village. She clearly states her positions, and I have not heard her flip flop as some others certainly have done. Of the positions she’s stated, I tend to agree with most of her views. I also like that she doesn’t grandstand and seems honest, articulate and to have the right kind of experience and skill set to provide good representation on the VC. For me, she’s a good choice overall.

My take on Killion: I support him too. In fairness, I’ve known him since we were kids here — but I do not base my support on that. Fact is I have disagreed with some of his positions -sometimes strongly so. But it is very clear to me that his agenda is only what he feels is in Ridgewood’s best interest. He is responsible and responsive to residents.

Very importantly to me, Keith spends a huge amount of time on Ridgewood’s interests- much more than nearly all other Mayors and VC members have done. That’s a huge plus – at least to me.

He also knows how impt it is to stop all the spending on too many “projects” and focus on getting the infrastructure fixed, and on preserving the very things that made Ridgewood the Village it is – which is what attracted so many to want to live here in the first place. I feel that by far he is the best Mayor we’ve had here in a long time.