That's the response that Crawford Town Supervisor Charlie Carnes gives when asked why he made the decision to seek public office. The decision seems to have been a mutually beneficial one for both Carnes, a Republican, and the Town of Crawford as he is currently serving his third term in the post.

Prior to his time as town supervisor, Carnes spent approximately six years on the town's planning board and another two years as a councilman. Carnes appears to view his job as balancing economic growth with maintaining the community's small town, rural charm. "I would like us to be a small, self-sustaining community."

To illustrate his commitment to planned development, Carnes mentions the arrival of a major supermarket chain that he believes helps to keep local consumers in town, instead of heading to Middletown.

"We brought Hannaford's in — not a lot of communities our size have a store like that."

But he's not just looking to large chains to add to Crawford's business landscape; Carnes says he is also looking for the small, privately owned businesses.

"You want to bring in businesses to keep [property] taxes down. But you don't want so many that you get an urban feel. I would like to get a few more shops and a few more restaurants that cater to a family dinner crowd."

Such a combination of locally owned establishments and large commercial retailers helps to create the right mix for Carnes' vision of Crawford.

"I want to be able to live in a place where you can go down to the park and have people to know you. I would like to have a real sense of community and I believe that we have gone a long way in accomplishing that."

What's do you find most difficult about being Supervisor?
To deal with the employees. They are a union and they are going to look out for themselves and I understand that. But I am trying to look out for the taxpayers. Other than that, controlling the spending and the taxes; all of the financial aspects within the bureaucracy.

What's the best thing about being Supervisor?
Being part of the revitalization of Pine Bush and Crawford.

How do you view yourself?
I would say that I am aggressive. I like to get things done — which is difficult in a governmental bureaucracy.

Vital Statistics: Charlie Carnes, Town Supervisor
Age: 49
Hometown: Montgomery, NY
Home Life: Married to Bernadette and father of three, ages 15, 11 and10.
Education: Bachelors in Business Administration from Marist College.
Profession: Financial Advisor for Smith Barney in Goshen.
Years in Crawford: Approximately 20

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