Dear Friends and Neighbors
The Fallsburg Town election on November 3rd poses no surprises. The current Town Supervisor, Nathan Steingart, is running unopposed for re-election. Arnold Seletsky is running unopposed for Town Council member. So in this election, residents do not have a choice of candidates. They can only vote for the incumbents, or not vote or submit a ‘write in vote.’
On the ballot is an important question. There is a proposition to change the length of the Town Supervisor’s term.
Changing the Term of Office of Town Supervisor from Two Years to Four Years.
This Proposition would change the Town Supervisor’s term from two years to four years, beginning with the term starting January 1, 2027, and with each Town Supervisor elected thereafter to serve a four-year term unless otherwise provided by law.
A YES vote means future Town Supervisors will serve four-year terms, starting with the term beginning January 1, 2027
A NO vote means the Town Supervisor term will remain two years.
Fallsburg’s Future believes that, in the interest of smart and good government, resident voters should vote YES for this proposition. It makes no sense that a Supervisor’s term in only 2 years while Town Council members serve for 4 years. Given all the laws, regulations and responsibilities that a Supervisor must adhere to, it takes at least a year to virtually learn on the job. We saw this problem occurring with both Kathy Rappaport and Michael Bensimon. The Supervisor then only has about one year to govern according to their vision before being swept up in fund raising and campaigning for another term. A 4-year term for Supervisor, like the Town Board Members, will benefit all Town residents." We believe that a Supervisor must have the necessary time to govern effectively.
We often let personality and dislike color our decision on this issue. We ask that voter’s put aside partisan and personal issues and understand that having a 4 year term will benefit all of us.
Please vote YES
It goes without saying that Fallsburg’s Future will continue to demand accountability and integrity. No matter what the voters decide, the Board should be held accountable through public scrutiny. We want to see a government that listens, responds and works for all the residents of Fallsburg. Let’s do this together.
Fallsburg's Future is a community network of concerned Fallsburg residents established in January 2016. Its Mission is to help guide the urban development of the town of Fallsburg and its five hamlets, to promote its sustainable economic development, protect the fragile beauty of its natural habitats and enhance the opportunities and quality of life for all its residents and visitors. We hope to curb the suburban sprawl that is threatening to overwhelm the town’s physical infrastructure and destroy the natural beauty that the area depends on for its future development. See us on Facebook and our website Fallsburgsfuture.com.