WALTON - Three candidates are competing for two Walton town council seats in November’s general election. Incumbent Republicans Leonard Govern and Patricia Wood are seeking to hold on their seats. They are being challenged by Democrat Kathleen Hayek.
To provide voters with information about candidates, The Reporter asked the following questions, and the candidates supplied the following answers:
Q: Why are you running for the position?
KH: I am running for town council because I got tired of waiting for “someone” to step up to make a difference in how our town council operates. Our community deserves a town council that is responsive to our needs, and that is transparent and inclusive in its decisions and actions.
I’m running for town council to offer Walton voters a fresh point of view and a broader vision for its future. Our community deserves a clear and bold action plan that includes ambitious new directions and brave leaders who are excited about helping us realize our goals together.
I am willing and ready to bring our collective vision for Walton to the table and act to make it happen. The status quo has a tight grip on the Walton Town Council. Since, for some time now, no other person has stepped up to challenge its incumbent members, and since I’ve grown impatient to see some changes happen, it might as well be me. I’m seeking to work with others in Walton who are also tired of waiting and are ready to make our dreams a reality, now.
LG: I’m actually running for reelection. I was originally appointed to fill a vacancy on the town board when Patrick Meredith passed away. The following year I ran for election. This community has enriched my life over the last 50 years. I moved here in the fall of 1973. I enjoy giving back to the people through my service. Over time I have come to really enjoy work. Serving as a town council person is a place where we have an opportunity make the lives of my fellow residents a little bit better.
PW: I’m running because I love Walton and want to see us thrive and evolve with businesses, schools and quality of living here. I raised my children here and I want to see future generations stay to do the same.
Q: What are your top three priorities as council member?
KH: My top three priorities are: Finding ways for Walton village and town leaders to work together, cooperatively, on our common goals. Too many opportunities pass Walton by or are made unnecessarily difficult because of the confusion between town and village leaders’ responsibilities and interests. We can more easily plan and meet our goals if our leaders recognize that boundary lines should not be allowed to hinder our progress. We’re all together, inseparable, and will rise and fall together.
Reviewing, revising, and updating the town of Walton Comprehensive Plan. The last plan published on the Town of Walton NY website was in 2006 and is woefully out of date. With a solid, current plan we will have an important guide that can support grant funding, business development, land use development, and a host of social and economic improvements. Without a plan, we have no direction, no vision and remain merely reactive to challenges rather than proactively building our community.
Making Walton a friendlier incubator for new businesses, especially small businesses, which struggle to get their footing in their first years of establishment. We need to redevelop our shopping streets, support our schools, community and cultural groups, and improve public safety as a multi-faceted, robust, town-wide effort.
LG: My top priority is to see that town roads continue to be maintained to the best of our ability. The town maintains slightly more than 100 miles of roads and our roads are arguably the best town roads in the county. The next priority is to see that our taxpayers get the most bang for their buck. We have to work to keep town taxes as low as possible, and we have done a good job of that. The school district and county could take some lessons from us. We have to be good stewards, keeping tax increases to a minimum.
My third priority is completing projects that will improve the quality of life for our residents. The creation of Veterans’ Plaza is one example, the walking trail and boat ramp off Water Street are other examples.
PW: 1. I believe we need to embrace the beauty and resources of our town and do things like the River Walk to attract residents and businesses. I have chaired committees to rebuild the gazebo on Griswold Street and provide the skating rink at Austin Lincoln. Those projects help make our town attractive to residents and visitors. And I have worked with the village board to help bring opportunities for all.
2. To get the generator installed at the First Baptist Church so we have a community shelter on this side of the river in cases of emergency such as floods or power outages where people need warmth, electric and shelter. Right now all the generators are across the river at the school and hospital (and a planned one at the school). We have used our town ARPA money to work on the first two of these priorities.
3. To welcome businesses into the town which will enhance all. I am against the grow facility being in the middle of the village. There are other places in the town, or in the Industrial Park that could accommodate that business and not have it in the commercial district. West Street is becoming a nice additional shopping and business district and I believe a grow facility there is misplaced. I think the IDA should work with the town and village for everyone’s benefit.
Q: How do you propose to contain spiraling budgets and spending?
KH: My action plan for containing spiraling budgets and spending includes: Researching funding sources and securing grants from every source possible for every project/need possible. I would build a community wide volunteer grant research and writing team to accomplish this goal. Making sure that town contract bid notices are well placed and promoted so that we are getting as many viable options as possible to secure best pricing.
Encouraging Walton community involvement early in the budgeting process through public budget workshops so that necessary budget increases and cuts are better understood and supported by the people they will most closely effect.
LG: The phrase “Spiraling budgets and spending” is not applicable in the town of Walton. Since I joined the board in 2010, spending has increased by $474,697. That’s an average growth of $37,000 per year over the last thirteen years. During those years the tax levy has increased just slightly less than $50,000. The 2010 tax levy was $1,314,664. While the 2023 tax levy was $1,364,524. I would also point out that the town of Walton is debt free. We have a track record of controlling spending. Going forward we will continue to exercise fiscal responsibility.
PW: To continue to be cost conscious in our budgets. We have held the line on spending as much as possible being proactive in our budgeting process to plan for emergencies (such as an equipment breakdown, natural disaster event, etc.) This means we don’t have to borrow money at high interest in those scenarios.
Q: Why should voters vote for you?
KH: Voters should cast their ballot for me if they believe in a bold and inclusive vision for Walton. As a representative of the burgeoning “weekender to full time resident” demographic group, I will bring a fresh insight to the table. I will ensure that we complete a clear and bold 10-year Comprehensive Plan created by and for all of us, the stakeholders. I will use my community building and organizing skills to broaden civic engagement, to help the town council be more inclusive and transparent in its decision making, and to be more proactive in its communications with Walton citizens. I will use my grant writing experience to seek out funding opportunities and organize winning applications to secure the grants we need to meet our budgeting goals.
I believe the answers to both our challenges and our dreams will be found amongst all the great ideas, concerns, advice, warnings, stories, rumors, and histories I’ve collected from Walton residents in my campaign thus far. I will continue to encourage the people of Walton to step up and give direction to our plans, to take charge of our best ideas and to be an active participant in our future.
I have worked successfully with all sorts of community groups in Delaware County as team member and as leader. My leadership strategy is always to empower others to act in their own best interests with the health and strength of our community in mind. I urge you to support me in this aim to join Walton’s Town Council as I support you in realizing your best Walton.
LG: My record of working with other board members to keep tax increases as small as possible, to keep roads in the best possible condition and my openness to exploring opportunities to bring new businesses and tourists to our beautiful town. Over the last 13 years I have proven my dedication to serving my fellow residents. As a member of the highway committee I participate in 27 meetings per year for the town. My record is as a hard-working member of the town council. And finally my pledge to continue to do my best for my fellow citizens.
PW: I hope voters who know me have appreciated the values that I have championed in my time on the board. I have retired from the school, so I am available to give even more time to Walton projects. And I hope that those who might not know me, will find I welcome people reaching out if they have questions or concerns. I am happy to listen to all sides, and I vote on all the facts as I see them and not just with the crowd. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve on the town board. Please stop into Packin Heat on Oct. 19 from 5-7 p.m. to talk to me!
Two Walton town council seats are on the ballot in the Nov. 7 general election. Early voting begins Oct. 28.
