Four Candidates Run for Two Kent Town Board Seats
Correction: In the profile for Jaime McGlasson, it inaccurately stated the town “should consider reducing its workforce.” The reporter assigned to the preview had asked in an email if there are any areas of town government that could be reduced and he mistook the word “personal” for the word “personnel.” In fact, the word “personal” wasn’t even an answer McGlasson gave to a subsequent question but rather a question from our reporter about her “personal” background. We greatly regret the error and offer our sincerest apologies. Below are the four profiles of the candidates running for Kent town board, accurately depicted.
By Neal Rentz
Scott Chin-Republican
Scott Chin said he has a passion for the town. “I have been a nine-year resident of Kent to find some peace and improved quality of life,” he said. “I absolutely love living up here because of the pristine neighborhoods that offer safety, comfort and a peace of mind to all families.” If elected, Chin said he would have an opportunity to contribute to the community in making Kent an even better place to live, adding “Kent has been missing a local area with small businesses that allow for local gathering and recirculation of income back into our own community. In essence, this can create a ‘heartbeat’ for the Town of Kent. Chin said he would seek to attract businesses to Kent. “The town government is facing a big challenge in attracting potential businesses,” he said. “Determining availability and capacity of use for potential commercial property is imperative in order to regulate the types of businesses the town desires and can manage. We must also work closely with potential entrepreneurs and available resources as well as identifying incentives.” Chin said he would seek to publicize recreation programs that are provided in town. “The current Kent recreation programs are very useful as it provides a means for our young children to be involved in a variety of activities which help in their development during their younger years,” he said. Chin said no new government programs were needed in the town and all existing services provided by the town of Kent remain.
Jaime McGlasson – Republican
Jaime McGlasson said she was running to maintain the quality of life in Kent. “I made the decision to run because the town of Kent is a beautiful place to live and I want to do my part in making sure it stays that way for generations to come,” she said. “Bringing responsible economic growth to the town, expanding the recreation department, as well as making sure that the beautification of Kent continues are just a few of the things that I would like to do if I am elected to the board. As a lifelong resident I am tired of hearing the town of can’t and want to change the way fellow residents feel about our town.” McGlasson said she would work to attract new businesses to Kent. “The town needs to figure out what type of businesses can feasibly come to the town and thrive, then work with the planning board to find incentives to offer to them,” she said. “While this may be a difficult task, with fresh ideas and unity I think that this is a feasible task.” McGlasson said she would seek to improve the recreation department’s programs. “The recreation department while adequate could be reviewed and revamped to attract greater resident participation and better allocation of resources. I believe that this could be accomplished while maintaining the current budget,” she said.
Dale Cusack – Democrat
Dale Cusack said running for the town board is a continuation of his commitment to the public. “I served my country when it needed me and have been serving various state and local governments throughout my career in information technology and project management,” he said “I felt this was the right time to give back to our local government and help our town continue to forward progress begun by (Supervisor) Maureen Fleming.” Cusack said to attract new businesses to Kent the town should look for public/private partnerships to build viable facilities for new business and our citizens and help our returning veterans make use of the loans and grants available for them to start new businesses.” Attracting more businesses, additional local tax revenue would be generated for services, Cusack said. “Under the current budget the services are what can be provided and do need to be improved,” he said. “By attracting new business and increasing the tax base it will allow the town to provide the needed additional services without increasing taxes on our citizens.” Cusack added, “I do not have specifics, but the town is participating in a countywide program to apply for available grants and subsidies to aid in adding or improving services.” Cusack said he believes Fleming has shown “careful and diligent examination of what is being spent,” and he wants to continue to examine where money can be saved.
Nancy Sorbella – Democrat
Nancy Sorbella touted her union support. “I am the only all-labor endorsed candidate for town board,” she said, adding she had the support of the Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body AFL-CIO, Building Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam, AFL-CIO, and LIUNA Local #60, along with incumbent town supervisor Maureen Fleming. She said she’s running for town board because “I like the direction that the supervisor and her administration have the town going in; with no tax increases, looking at everything through a clear lens and opening up our government for the most resident participation ever,” Sorbella said, noting her experience as a businesswoman, volunteer board member on numerous boards, and as a parent and an entrepreneur. Sorbella said there are opportunities to encourage businesses to come to Kent. The town should explore “what we have in terms of businesses and then look at what is missing,” she said. There should be “town hall meetings to get an understanding of what people want, what has worked, what hasn’t,” she said. “We have a corridor on Route 52 that is in need of redevelopment and there are grants and innovative funding possibilities depending upon the direction we as a town feel makes the most sense to go in. She vowed to be an “ambassador” for the town and advocate wherever possible for new, relevant and sustainable businesses that the entire community would be able to support. Sorbella said the town recreation center should be revitalized. “My vision is to look at some of the properties that the town currently owns as potential locations for a rec. center where there is something for everyone: seniors, daycare set, athletes, the handicapped, etc.,” she said. “I would personally love a pool, a social center and a handicapped-accessible playground. She would explore grants and fundraising to make it possible.
