Yes, Christmas is still two months away. But with the November 6 elections just around the corner and the holiday shopping season starting earlier and earlier each year, the Ellenville Journal wishes to share its wish list for this year's town elections. Candidates.

To date, there has been a dearth of candidates that have expressed anything resembling a vision for the town's future. The constant mantra has been "jobs, jobs, jobs". Fine. But how do you propose to bring them here? What are your goals? Your measures of success?

At this point in Wawarsing's history it is simply not enough to tread water. That kind of thinking seems to have prevailed while previous boards haven't noticed that the ship is sinking. Our candidates need to understand that just auditing bills and appearing at photo-ops are not a substitute for real governance. This is especially the case when town taxpayers may be paying over $43,000 for the supervisor and over $11,000 for each council member. And that does not include the health insurance to which each member is entitled.

What this area needs is a board that will not waste its time and taxpayers' money playing "gotcha" and making public displays intended to hurt their colleagues. Wawarsing needs board members that will work with each other and the Village of Ellenville to better the fortune of all town residents.

Area residents deserve a board that will be informed on all of the issues that come up at each board meeting and they deserve the right to be kept informed by the board about issues that will affect the character of the town for years to come. The also deserve a board that will give the same amount of thought to the future of our airport as it has Lippman Park — give the community the chance to openly discuss a master plan for the development of what some in the area are claiming is a major tool to the area's revitalization.

Furthermore, if they are not up to the task — whether it's due to a lack of time or expertise — have the wisdom to create positions like an economic development officer and/or a town manager that will bring professionals to the area. Local entities like the Ellenville Central School District have a hired professional who answers to a board of elected officials as does the Ellenville Regional Hospital. If that formula works for those institutions, why not our town government?

The harsh reality facing town voters is that times are scary and may get worse and there isn't anyone who appears ready to accept the challenge to do what is most necessary — lead.

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