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Dan Paschkes Vs. Peter Avellino For Pound Ridge Town Board

POUND RIDGE, N.Y. -- Several weeks ago, I contacted both political parties requesting to interview their candidates for Pound Ridge Town Board. My questions this week were intended for candidates Dan Paschkes (D) and Peter Avellino (R) regarding issues concerning the environment and the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP).

Democrat Dan Paschkes (left) and Republican Peter Avellino are candidates for Pound Ridge Town Board.

Democrat Dan Paschkes (left) and Republican Peter Avellino are candidates for Pound Ridge Town Board.

Photo Credit: Contributed

What is your position regarding Deer Management?

Avellino (R): “I support deer management because it is one of many environmental measures that helps protect our drinking water. The deer eat through the understory, made up of seedling trees and saplings, which causes erosion to topsoil during heavy rains. This provides a filtration process that once removed, will not have the same ability to absorb water necessary to feed our wells and affect the quality of our drinking water.”

How would you improve environmental issues in Pound Ridge?

Avellino (R): “There are a multitude of ways to address our environment such as storm water management, securing a solution for waste water treatment in Scott's Corners, removing invasive plants throughout and preserving open space. The Conservation Board has made considerable strides communicating through mailings and programs that should be continued. As of June 2013, I was appointed Chair of the Environmental Steering Committee, under the auspices of the Conservation Board made up of individuals from key town commissions and local organizations all working in a collaborative effort to create the family-friendly Pound Ridge Go Green Day. Proposed goals include creating an online presence for resources and communication with residents, offering additional programs throughout the year and developing and implementing an Environmental Action Plan."

How do you view the TEP matter?

Avellino (R): “Although I am not against considering a TEP project, it is critical the Town take sufficient effort to review any project before applying for TEP funds as urged in the TEP guidelines. The Town Board made the decision to go forward with the application within a short period of time under the guise that this was the last round of TEP funding. However, there will likely be future rounds of TEP and other federally funded reimbursement programs that the Town could apply for, allowing ample time to prepare for such a project.”

Over the course of several weeks and multiple attempts by email and phone messages, the Pound Ridge Democratic Committee declined my invitation to interview Mr. Paschkes.

I will make my opinion for these candidates known on Friday, Nov. 1. Have a safe weekend and be well, my friends.

Laurance Baschkin is a resident of Pound Ridge.

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