Budget, Eminent Domain Are Top Issues in Brighton Races

Fernando Diaz
Staff writer, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

 (October 10, 2005) — BRIGHTON — Brighton residents will vote for candidates in every elected office in town government this November.

From supervisor to Town Board, candidates have firm agendas on controlling Brighton's budget, whether eminent domain is the right tool to secure coveted land for parks and how to increase recreational opportunities for residents.

Republican candidate Wes McAllister, who is also on the Conservative line, lost his last bid for town supervisor in 2003 and is again challenging Democratic incumbent Sandra Frankel.

He proposes to eliminate paying health insurance premiums for Town Board members, institute a hiring freeze and take out $150,000 in budgeted capital projects.

McAllister also disagrees with the town's decision to use eminent domain to acquire land near Buckland Park from the Faith Temple church.

"It's wrong; it's costly and abusive," he said. He's also in favor of negotiating a compromise with Faith Temple. Talks to reach a deal between the town and church broke down this summer.

Frankel said she is fulfilling the will of voters who approved a referendum in 2002 to acquire 376 acres of land for parks, including the parcel in question, by going after the land. The town's decision to pursue eminent domain, she said, was a last resort.

So far, the legal fight associated with the acquisition of 66 acres of land adjacent to Buckland Park has cost taxpayers an estimated $180,000, but Frankel said it's a justified expense for securing important land for parks.

"We are proceeding to defend the town in federal court," said Frankel, who has held her post since 1991 and wants to continue Brighton's plan for open land acquisition and continue to develop infrastructure.

Frankel said health premiums offered to Town Board members are appropriate for the amount of work they're expected to do.

She added that during her tenure, taxes have increased at an average rate below inflation.

Frankel, who is also on the Working Families ballot line, wants to continue working toward the completion of a town park system and "maintain strong financial management" while administering the town's various special districts, such as those for lights and sidewalks.

Town Board

Democrat incumbent Town Board member Jim Vogel also wants to continue the town's plan to acquire land for park development. He said after 16 years on the board, he is looking forward to updating Brighton's long-range comprehensive plan. Louise Novros, who is also running on the Democratic line to fill outgoing board member Jill Vigdor's seat, has been active in the community on the neighborhood level and now wants to make policy decisions. One of her goals is to bring residents from eastern Brighton more into the fold, as she sees the area developing into a "community unto itself."

Republican Town Board candidates Bob Burke and Dino Kotrides are both seeking elected office for the first time and want to bring a new voice to local government. Burke agrees with McAllister that the eminent domain proceeding should be stopped and is "trying to get one vote against it," he said.

Kotrides, who moved to Brighton two years ago, wants to stem the increase in taxes. He thinks any increase, no matter how small, is still avoidable. "There's no reason we can't look into the Brighton budget and cut pork," he said.

Kotrides and Burke are also running on the Conservative Party line.

Town justice

Gary LaRusso, the Republican and Conservative candidate for town justice, is challenging Richard Dollinger, a former state senator and county legislator.

A career attorney and prominent member of the legal community, LaRusso said his experience qualifies him to sit on the other side of the bench.

Dollinger, whose brother David is Brighton's deputy town attorney, is also experienced in the courtroom and is a lifelong Brighton resident.

Dollinger resigned in May as Monroe County Democratic Chairman to run for this position and hopes to continue some of the initiatives he began as a state senator, including implementing a zero-tolerance policy for youths who drink and drive and lowering the incidence of drunken driving in Brighton.

Town clerk

Democrat Susan Kramarsky wants to continue making the clerk's office more efficient.

"What we did last week may not be sufficiently intelligent for next week," she said.

She said her connections within the community and vision for what the office can become are why she should be re-elected.

Barbara Vollmar, making her first bid for elected office as the Republican and Conservative candidate, said she wants to rein in spending at the clerk's office by eliminating some of the staff. There are currently four employees in the clerk's office.

FDIAZ@DemocratandChronicle.com

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