Terry Houck is currently seeking reelection after his first term as a councilman for the Town of Wawarsing Board. The Republican candidate has been a lifelong resident of Ellenville, and his family, the Houcks, have lived in the area since they settled in Ellenville in the mid-1800s. Councilman Houck works as the Grievance Resolution Supervisor at Sullivan Correctional Facility.

During a phone interview from his Ellenville home, Houck was ready to lay out all the facts about his record as an effective member on the area’s political scene as he read from a prepared statement.

Houck began by referring to his mission statement from his first campaign where he stated his belief in, “open, honest government.”

Houck went on to argue that his, “professional skills in mediation and grievance resolution” has benefited town residents in the past and would continue to work for them in the future should he be re-elected.

In addition to both his professional and public experience, Houck credits his father, Eugene, a life-long Democrat, with providing him with valuable insight and guidance.

“His advice for me was to ‘research each issue, think of what is good for the whole community, and vote your conscience!’ I constantly remind myself of this advice.”

Houck stresses that he takes his position as a town representative very seriously and has made a point of attending as many meetings as possible in order to consider and make decisions on issues facing the town.
“The New York State Town Law manual states that the responsibility of a Town Board member is to manage the finances, management of town government, and to create a vision for the future. In order to fulfill these responsibilities, I made a promise to myself to have an excellent attendance record for all town board workshops, as well as a 96% attendance record at regularly scheduled public meetings.

Among his achievements in office, Houck points to the creation of a Town Comptroller position which he stresses was, “at no added cost to the taxpayer.” Houck was one of the voices on the board that pushed for the comptroller position in the hopes of gaining more oversight of town spending. The creation of the position, which is appointed by the entire board instead of just the supervisor, now requires a second signature on all checks.

“I strongly believe the creation of this position is an asset to the present and future boards which will be recognized as a benefit to the taxpayers.”

As the Telecommunications Liaison to Time Warner, Houck states that he initiated the transfer of line extension fund assets — $120,000 from “the coffers of Time Warner to the Town of Wawarsing, reorganizing funds into interest bearing accounts. This fund is presently a $178,000.”

Houck also oversaw the purchase of video equipment that will allow future board meetings to be recorded and televised. The measure falls in line with Houck’s intention of, “further bringing open government to the public.” Houck stated that the purchasing funds are, “strictly from franchise fees of residents who are in contract with Time Warner.”

During his time as councilman, Houck and Councilwoman Gunter helped to reinstate the free disposal week at the landfill in 2006 and 2007. Houck says he has also supported the building department’s, “efforts to assist residents to come in compliance with town code enforcement, which is a constant work in progress.”

Among his other responsibilities and initiatives that he supported Houck lists his full support of the Ellenville Regional Hospital during its financial reorganization and upcoming senior housing project; his work with the Park Committee on a Lippman Park master plan; his work to extend the Napanoch Daycare Center lease, which Houck says, “[benfitted] the children, parents, operator, all without compromising the taxpayers’ money.”

As for a vision of the future, Houck, as Time Warner liaison, claims to have researched the possibility of “free wireless as well as spoken to our Time Warner contact, Brenda Parks, who has advised me that the first question to ask the provider is to ask what meg[abyte] speed is free. For instance, Time Warner’s Roadrunner is five to seven meg, and potentially the free service may only provide one meg. Therefore, what additional cost would there be to provide faster service? It should be noted that Time Warner does not provide this service at this time, although there are providers that have served the Tivoli area recently.

Houck concluded by the interview by saying that he urged, “all residents to attend the board meetings and any meet-the-candidate nights or debates scheduled for this important November 6 election.”

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