• News Articles
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  If you have trouble reading full sized images, here are links to the official articles on the respective paper's website:

  The Woodburys look for ways to save money - March 5th, 2009

  Merger idea heats up debate - March 4th, 2009

  Common Sense Party Notice - (PDF File) - March 13th, 2009

  It takes a village to raise the cost - July 19th, 2007

• Letters to the Editor
   

• To view the following letters of support, click the colored letter titles.

  
  Letters to the editor for Friday, March 13th, 2009:
  "Support for the Common Sense Party"

  Like many other people in Woodbury I have watched as our expenses and taxes go higher and higher. My family and I have been waiting for someone to step up and take control of our local government is a positive way. We need people that can make a difference in our lives.

  The Common Sense Team has a fresh approach and will bring new ideas to managing our village. We need government that will work to reduce our taxes. Their idea to merge the town and village is an idea that makes sense.

  I want one set of people representing me at the local level, not two. We need to know we can go to our village board and get the answers we need. Ask yourself: are you happy with the way things are now? I know I'm not and I want change! Let's elect a team of individuals that have the experience we need to move us forward.

  Please join me in voting for the Common Sense Team of Mike Queenan for mayor, along with Tim Egan and Tom Flood for trustees.

  - Victoria Essig

  (Letter Link)

  "Let's get Woodbury back"

  On March 18, we have an election for mayor and trustees.

  Later this year we'll have another election for the town government.

  Next year, more elections.

  What's going on here? We have lost control of our town with too many layers of government and too many lawyers telling us what to do. We need to simplify and consolidate this town-village with an identity crises into one governing body.

  This is our town and we need leaders who understand that we, the taxpayers, are the bosses. They need to realize that we, the taxpayers, are broke, and they need to demand to the county and the state that we need changes.

  And our leaders should keep going back until the job is done. We don't need politicians who only use their position as a stepping stone to another political position, or only want to stay in office due to there egos. Too many good people have moved away because of the expense of living here. That's a shame.

  We've got a town-village government that doesn't function efficiently due to its complexity. I believe the Common Sense Party candidates understand these problems and have the ability to bring about these changes. Please vote for Mike Queenan, Tim Egan and Tom Flood on the 18th of March. Let's get Woodbury back.

  If I offended anyone, too bad, because I'm offended by what has happened to our town.

  - Robert Hunter, Highland Mills

  (Letter Link)

  "It makes sense to me"

  I am writing in support of the candidates of the Common Sense party in the upcoming Woodbury Village election.

  The Common Sense Party say they want to pursue legislation to have one government for the Village and Town of Woodbury. They also indicate that their plan includes leaving the part of Harriman in Woodbury to remain part of the Town of Woodbury.

  This seems like a noble cause to me, especially if it has the potential to save me and my fellow taxpayers' money.

  In these trying times, where residents are losing there jobs due to cut backs and having trouble making ends meet, I want people who will work on my behalf and for the people of Woodbury, so I'm voting the Common Sense Party. It makes sense to me.

  - Maria L. Pepe, Highland Mills

  (Letter Link)

  "Highland Mills Elect Queenan mayor"

  I support my husband, Mike Queenan, for mayor of Woodbury because he is the best person for the job.

  Mike has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the residents of Woodbury for the past eight years.

  Mike has used his prior management experience to scrutinize expense requests and avoid unnecessary spending. He's performed annual town department audits, which resulted in recommendations of tracking and reporting cash receipts.

  He has been criticized for taking his responsibility of representing the taxpayer seriously on town/employee contract negotiations. My husband did not take a pay raise as a councilman in 2009.

  Mike constantly educates himself on town and village law. His attendance at numerous meetings over the years and work on many committees have given him an array of knowledge that is critical for the mayor's position.

  Although Mike has served well as a Town Board member, the need for a tighter rein on the village's structural and fiscal course has drawn him to the mayoral election. There are many village expenses that should have been coordinated with the town or not incurred at all.

  The mayor has to be able to work with the town supervisor. Mike's knowledge and experience make him the right candidate for mayor. He sees the overall picture and is open minded. Mike will work tirelessly for sensible spending and governing by the Village.

  And why is a potential plan of a coterminous town-village bad when it would be cost effective and give Woodbury the best of both worlds?

  - Karen Queenan, Highland Mills

  (Letter Link)

  "Timothy Egan 'will work hard for all residents'"

  I have known Tim Egan for 18 years. He has always been a hard worker in anything he has done. I have watched him progress through his EMS career as he rose through the ranks on his way to his current position as well as raise his family with along with his wife - all while contributing to his community in his spare time. Tim is a person who will go out of his way to help just about anyone. I have seen him spend weekends assisting family and friends with construction projects, and watched him go to the Gulf Coast on a moments notice for several weeks to use his expertise to help people he never met deal with a natural disaster.

  In my opinion, this all speaks to Tim's character and work ethic. His experiences and training are unique and will bring a fresh perspective to local government. If he is elected I know he will do his best to make smart decisions on the village board. He will work hard for all the residents of Woodbury. His extensive work and life experience bring the skills necessary to the job at hand. That job is making our community a better place to live in. Please join me in supporting Tim and the rest of the Common Sense Team on March 18.

  - Robert Santillo, Highland Mills

  (Letter Link)
  Letters to the editor for Thursday, March 12th, 2009:
  "An honor to work with Mike Queenan"

  A letter to the editor of The Photo News on March 6 2009 by Dominick Prozzillo made some statements that were inaccurate at best. Firstly on the issue of coterminous, The Common Sense Party from day one has stated that the merger of our two governments would need special Legislation.

  Secondly Mr. Queenan's workload actually has increased over the past two years, negotiating agreements and three separate employee union contracts. The letter indicated that Mr. Queenan is the cause for the excessive cost of labor attorneys. The town does not use labor attorneys to negotiate contracts. The real culprit for the excessive labor attorney cost is the unions themselves constantly filing grievances against the Town. Also, requesting arbitration and or fact-finding and then rejecting the findings or decisions if not favorable to the union.

  The town only utilizes labor attorneys to review contracts, arbitration, fact-finding and to defend the town against litigation or actions that are initiated by the unions.

  I've worked with Mike Queenan and know his only goal is fair agreement for both the taxpayers and employees. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that our tax dollars are not wasted on excessive attorney costs and has demonstrated a true dedication to the great town we all call our home.

  It has been an honor to work with Mike Queenan for four years and I hope that you will join me in supporting the Common Sense Party, Mike for mayor, Thomas Flood and Timothy Egan for trustees on Wednesday, March 18, at the Highland Mills Firehouse from noon to 9 p.m.

  - Gerri Gianzero, Town of Woodbury Councilwoman, Highland Mills

  (Letter Link)

  "Tim Egan: A man of common sense"

  I have known Tim Egan for several years. I have always known him to be a man of his word. He is kind, intelligent, very approachable, a leader who is not afraid to think out of the box. He is a good listener with no preconceived ideas. A man of action, when something is wrong he will proceed to remedy the situation.

  His most important trait is common sense. My father use to say, "Common sense is not as common a people think it is." In these difficult times we need leaders of his caliber. A vote for Time Egan is an investment in the future for the Village of Woodbury.

  Thank you for taking the time to read this endorsement.

  - Wayne Chan, Village of Monroe Trustee

  (Letter Link)
  
  Letters to the editor for Thursday, March 12th, 2009:
  "Woodbury needs Flood"

  I have had the privilege of knowing Tom Flood for the past 15 years. As the recently retired Scoutmaster of Troop 149 (Tom's older son TJ is one of my Eagle Scouts) and a former coach in the Monroe-Woodbury Soccer Club, I have worked side-by-side with Tom in Scouts and watched him coach my own two sons.

  Tom is an extremely capable and creative problem solver with a strong sense of community. I got a kick out of the name Commonsense Party because it fits Tom so well. The whole idea of streamlining our local government and fiscal responsibility is more than welcome these days.

  Twenty years ago, Lynn and I chose Woodbury as the place we wanted to raise our family, and it has been people like Tom, Cindy and their boys who have made that choice the right choice. This town needs the kind of can-do, no-nonsense approach to government that the Commonsense Party will bring to the table. We need our voices to be heard in Goshen and Albany. We need our future to be secure.

  - Thomas Else, Highland Mills

  (Letter Link)
  Letters to the editor for Monday, March 2nd, 2009:
  "Right Ticket for Woodbury"

  Change is good because without change we will stagnate. But change without leadership only leads to chaos. Good leadership will make sure that with the change we will be on the right path.

  In the upcoming Woodbury village elections March 18, I urge voters to support the team that will get the Village of Woodbury on the right path: Mike Queenan for mayor and Tim Eagan and Tom Flood for trustees. Mike, Tim and Tom have the ability to assess a situation, make a decision and implement a plan.

  Their business acumen, decisiveness and sense of fairness will serve the village well.

  - Lorraine McNeil, Highland Mills

  (Letter Link)

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