When I relocated with my husband and baby to Cold Spring three years ago, I said to myself, “We are never moving again. We are home.”

I still feel that way. I love how people here take care of one another. Like my neighbors, however, I worry about national and local economic challenges, how we will adapt to changing demographics, and trends in commerce that affect our Main Street businesses, all of which have an impact on the fiscal health of our town and its residents. Because of our small size, I am struck by the absolute necessity of having strong, effective governance at the local level. Every single dollar counts. Our property taxes are lower than many New York City commute-distance towns and I’d really like them to stay that way.

That’s why I am supporting Matt Francisco and Donald MacDonald for the March 18 election. I have been impressed and comforted by Matt’s record in his first term as a Cold Spring Village trustee. He has used his skills from his professional experience to actually reduce village expenses. I am also ready to vote for Donald, a professional architect whose knowledge and desire to implement the Comprehensive Plan appeal to me. I want our local government to move expediently to develop the Butterfield property in a fiscally responsible manner. We need experts in business, contract negotiation, and planning, like Matt and Donald, to maintain our village’s character and to recognize the opportunities inherent in any new development.

Drena Fagen
Cold Spring

Behind The Story

Type: Opinion

Opinion: Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

This piece is by a contributor to The Current who is not on staff. Typically this is because it is a letter to the editor or a guest column.