Village Candidate Q&A: Why Should People Vote For You

Residents in Westhampton Beach are being asked to elect two candidates to the Westhampton Beach Village Board. Vying for those seats are Deputy Mayor Hank Tucker, Trustee Patricia DiBenedetto and former Deptuy Mayor Toni-Jo Birk. 

The election will take place from noon to 9 p.m. at village hall. 

Patch recently asked all three candidates five questions and over past week, Patch has provided their responses to four of those questions in a series we called, Village Candidate Q&A. The final question appears below.

Question 5: Why Should People Vote For You

Hank Tucker: "I have always put our residents first. I have been an honest voice and worked hard to protect our tax dollars. We need to keep moving forward and be innovative in these changing times. Going backwards should not be an option."

Patricia DiBenedetto: "People should vote for me because I'm the right person for the position.  I've been a trustee the last two years and was a member of the village planning board for three years prior.  Currently, I'm proud to be part of majority who has steered the village in the right direction.  We have insisted on accountability for all spending, and recently passed resolutions mandating such.  The role of a trustee is to manage village finances and property, and I have lived up to those expectations with every decision I have made.  My fellow running mate, Hank Tucker and I are finally part of a majority that the village has needed for a long time.  We look at all issues from all sides.  We educate ourselves before voting yes or no.  We have identified monetary issues and problems that occurred without our knowledge when we were not in the majority.   We also look after our taxpayers best interest, and insist the rest of the board does as well.  It is unfortunate that our trustee board meetings are not well attended.  And, when there is coverage in our local newspaper, more often than not, they downplay what we've accomplished.  With that being said, I would encourage all voters to become educated by watching the videos  of the trustee meetings, which are now on our village web site.  I would encourage all voters to vote for the best person based on track record; not based on friendships.  And, if you particularly watch April and May 2013, you will get a solid idea as to who is right for the position.  You can find the videos at http://westhamptonbeach.org/board-of-trustees/trustees-board-meeting-videos/"

Toni-Jo Birk: "Residents should vote for me because they know I will be their voice. My agenda includes keeping Westhampton Beach a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I am honest and dedicated to the work of the Village. I am ready and willing to undertake any task that needs to be done or completed, I have much experience in doing that for the Village; as exemplified by my completion of the Village Sign Code amendments. I ensure voters that I will work my hardest to maintain the levels of services residents want while keeping taxes in line."

Related Reading: 

• Village Candidate Q&A: Do You Support a Rezoning For a New Supermarket?
• Village Candidate Q&A: Where Do You See the Village in Ten Years?
• Village Candidate Q&A: What One Improvement to the Village Would You Make
• Village Candidate Q&A: How Will You Watch Over Taxpayer's Dollars?