Candidates for position of Village of Nichols Mayor answer questionnaires

BY THE REVIEW)
Published: March 14, 2010

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On March 16, current Village of Nichols Deputy Mayor Esther Woods will run against current Mayor Doug Horton for the office of village Mayor. The position of mayor is a two-year term in the Village of Nichols. The Review sent questionnaires to each of the candidates, here are their responses:

Name: Douglas R. Horton

Age: 64

Address: 17 Platt St., Nichols, NY 13812

Office Sought: Mayor of Village of Nichols (incumbent mayor)

Salary: $1,500 annually

Political Party: United Peoples Party

Occupation: Construction business (owner)

1. Why are you seeking office?

Because I feel that I am the best candidate for the position.

2. What are your credentials for being an effective representative?

- 12 years serving as trustee of the Village of Nichols

- Two years serving as Mayor of Village of Nichols

- 47 years as a volunteer fireman

- Board member of Nichols Cemetery Assoc.

- Professional business training courses

3. If you are the incumbent, what have you done to deserve re-election?

During my administration we have accomplished the following:

- Re-paved Johnson Street

- Re-paved Kirby Street

- Tared and chipped Roki Blvd.

- Re-surfaced Kirby Park Basketball Court

- Installed new roof on rear portion of Village Hall

- Spent approx. $7,000 for tree maintenance

- Spent approx. $8,500 for new sidewalks

- Acquired $15,000 from United Water of Nichols Owego for Kirby Park improvements

- Free drinking fountain bubbler with lifetime maintenance to be installed in Kirby Park

- Four new businesses established in Village of Nichols

1. Soprano's II Deli/Restaurant

2. Fire Extinguisher and Alarm Business

3. Sallie's Country Kitchen

4. Nickels Auto Repair

4. If you are a challenger, what have you done to prepare for the office?

N/A

5. What are the top three issues as you see them and what would you do about them?

1. Reclassifying and decertification of the village dike: I would challenge NYS DEC, The Army Corp of Engineers, and FEMA with legal action if necessary with the support of the village residents.

2. The ongoing water and sewage projects in the Village of Nichols: I would continue informing the village residents of the goals I believe that are transpiring at the state level under Sen. Thomas Libous and at the county level under LeeAnn Tinney Business Manager of the Tioga County Industrial Development Agency and at the town level under the direction of Supervisor James Brandston.

3. I would continue to upgrade streets, sidewalks, and tree maintenance as they are deteriorating to a condition that may jeopardize the village residents safety.

6. What steps would you take to ensure future growth in Nichols, and what do you think is important for the future of the village?

Enhance the Village of Nichols with incentive programs that would attract businesses and residential growth. Thus filling the existing village businesses and residential homes that are now unoccupied.

Cooperation with Village Board of Trustees that doesn't contain special interests and business interests of the board members at the expense of the village residents.

Name: Esther Woods

Age: 42

Address: 320 W. River Road, Nichols, NY 13812

Office sought: Mayor

Salary:

Political party: Working Class

Occupation: Business owner

Marital status: Married

Education: Graduated Broome Community College

1. Why are you seeking the office?

The Village and Village board is going in the wrong direction under the current mayor's reign. The mayor and trustees need to work together for the good of the people who live in the village. The current mayor and trustees are at a standstill and nothing is being accomplished.

2. What are your credentials for being an effective representative?

I have served two two-year terms as a village trustee and one term as deputy mayor. I know the issues facing the Village of Nichols.

3. If you are an incumbent, what have you done to deserve reelection?

N/A

4. If you are a challenger, what have you done to prepare for holding the office?

Being the deputy mayor at the moment I have handled a lot of the tasks the mayor usually handles. Most residents from the village are more comfortable in dealing with me instead of the current mayor.

5. What are the top three issues as you see them and what would you do about them?

1) Problem with levee system and FEMA - wanting to put Nichols in a flood plain - currently working with DEC and the Army Corps of Engineers, trying to deem our levee safe.

2) Well water project in Kirby Park still have issues in completely the finished product installing well. Work will start around April 2010.

3) Working with trustees to win back our trust and faith with village residents. Most residents at this point are very fed up with the current administration's antics and behavior. In the current two-year term of mayor we have not accomplished anything for the better for the village.

6. What steps would you take to ensure future growth in Nichols, and what do you think is important for the future of the village?

We need to clean up the village and try to attract business and new residents. I would like to beautify Main Street and the corner lot on Main and River Street. We are a small community and we want to keep our residents safe, but we also want to keep up with current times and attract new clientele.

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