The candidates who are seeking to become the next Bedford supervisor weighed in on issues and outlined their visions for the town at a recent candidates' forum.
The forum, held on Thursday at Fox Lane Middle School, was supported by the League of Women Voters' chapter for Bedford, Lewisboro and North Salem. The two are running to succeed Lee Roberts.
Republican Don Scott, a former Katonah-Lewisboro school board president whose present service includes the wetlands commission and the Katonah Board of Fire Commissioners, explained that he is seeking the position because he can help. He feels that being supervisor requires a background that is different than for being a councilman, and noted his experience in running a business.
Democratic candidate and current councilman Chris Burdick feels that his experience on the town board qualifies him for the job. He noted that while he has served the town board has raised property taxes by less, stayed under the tax cap, kept the town's AAA bond rating and stayed cautious about debt.
Burdick, who was elected in 2007, promise a "fresh look" at Bedford's services and would like to look at what can be more at a lower cost and in a more effective way. He also called for updating the town's comprehensive plan.
Scott highlighted the values of his Republican ticket, which include keeping spending under control, giving support to community organizations and to preserve the town's open space, history and environment.
Both candidates agree that Bedford faces tough fiscal times ahead. Burdick noted that the town's assessment roll is projected to decline, while costs are slated to rise. Scott highlighted how he requested that the town board assembles a 5-year financial plan, which was discussed in an August work session, and noted the deficits that the town will face in the future. Burdick also called for long-term planning.
The candidates differ on Westchester County's 2009 affordable housing settlement with the federal government, which requires construction of 750 housing units by 2016. The units would count if they were built in predominately white communities such as Bedford.
Burdick did not appear worried, feeling that “we're way ahead of many other towns.”
Examples the Democratic candidate raised include the existence of the town-established Blue Mountain Housing Development Corporation and the approval of a model ordinance.
Scott, by contrast, is concerned that the federal government is overreaching and worries that Bedford's local control over zoning could be undermined. He suggested, from reading the settlement, “that HUD seems to feel that zoning is by definition discriminatory, and that concerns me.”
Scott, referencing an interview he gave to The Record-Review, mentioned how he called on Burdick to join him in a pledge to fight to keep Bedford's zoning decisions in the town.
The two were also asked about gun regulation. A person asked whether support creating a gun registry and publishing the list. Scott, noting that the matter is a state and county issue, ruled it out. Burdick, while acknowledging that gun regulation is primarily an issue at the state and federal level, felt that the town could take on a role of some sort but wants to investigate that can legally be done.
In his closing, Burdick praised the positive aspects of Bedford, and noted the importance of having town board experience. Scott, who likened his circumstance to a job interview with the voters, was lighthearted. Referencing the fact that Burdick has more than two years left on his council seat term, Scott suggested that a vote for him means both will be available.
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