NOTE: As with most Internet polls, this poll is not balanced against a weighted sample. There is no statistical accuracy relating to any specific demographic of poll takers. Anyone can take this poll and the Northender collects no data about the respondents.
Four years ago, I voted for Mayor Siegel. I have been a Bayville resident for over ten years and have been reading the Bayville election materials with increasing interest. I have reviewed the current administrations platform and after chatting with neighbors about Mayor Siegels platform from 4 years ago realize that 10 of the 14 items have not been started, are incomplete, or had major problems ie: the Creek Road erosion and dredging. Mayor Siegel proposed underground electrical for wind-safety purposes; instead we have decorative lamps mounted on crooked telephone poles. Valentine Beach, The Presidents Streets Project and the skateboard park were Mayor Siegel's goals last time around, and now appear on this years platform as projects being "undertaken"*. What is she waiting for?
I have also noticed that faced with opposition, Mayor Siegel's party appears to be taking the low road in their quest for re-election. The Taxpayers Party flyers, looking suspiciously like Village mailings, essentially amount to sarcasm and, dare I say, bitterness from an administration that seems tired, disappointed and stuck in a rut. Perhaps they lost sight that they were elected into office to serve the people, not to hand down policy without consistent regard to residents, businesses and Village law. The atmosphere created by this administration has many residents and business owners afraid to voice their honest opinions in public.
Would you hire someone to represent our community who refers to herself in local papers and in mailings as having "the reputation of being a pit bull"*? ( How many times have we seen on TV news the damage an unleashed pit bull can do?) According to Mayor Siegel, she's "been called every name in the book"*. Would you hire someone who seems to take pride in having "made enemies"* and being called an "SOB"*? Would you re-hire a Mayor who has said her position "is a thankless job?"* Would you hire an absentee Trustee?
Trustee/Budget Officer Carol Kennedy is running for re-election yet misses over 40% of Village meetings because she spends the winter in Florida. Several of my neighbors winter elsewhere, however our public officials should be year-round residents as we are not just a summer village. In the "Watching out for You"* flyer, Trustee Candidate Paul Rupp is conveniently grouped in with the current administration. How? He is not, nor has he ever been a member of our Village government, is he "watching out for you"*? Mayor Siegel has had over 20 years to operate and to see her plans through; enough is enough. "Running just the same"* is not what Bayville needs.
At a recent coffee-talk (a great idea that Mayor Siegel has since copied), Marchand and her trustees presented goals for their administration, which are open for anyone to see on their website. The meeting was energetic, positive and generated enthusiasm for their new ideas. It is clear from the Resident's First platform that they are dedicated to Bayville, willing to work hard for us and surely will not need a 20 year reign to move forward with improvements and community involvement.
We aren't getting the government we ought to have. It's time for a new administration. Thank you Margaret Marchand for giving the residents of Bayville a choice.
*All of these quotes come directly from news articles and mailers sent by the Taxpayers Party.
