Q & A with Michael Kane: Candidate for County Legislator District 1

On Nov. 8 local voters will have a lot of choices to make at the local and county levels. Patch sent County Legislator District 1 candidates John Testa(R,C) and Michael Kane (D,WF) the following questions and asked for brief responses.

Kane provided responses, but Testa said he was unable and asked us to provide you with several links that will provide more information on where he stands on the issues. You can find those links at the bottom of this article.

To read Kane's biography click .

Q&A with Michael Kane:

Q: Why are you running for election?
A: I believe that government needs to be caring, responsive and forward thinking. Right now it isn’t. Westchester is still struggling with the effects of the recession. You can’t expect change in governance by sending the same people to White Plains every two years. We need to bring jobs here across all fields and increase the tax base (folks working) to lower our burden. If you don’t have a job, you’re not paying taxes, and your neighbors are paying more.

 
Q: What are the top three issues facing each town you would represent: Peekskill, Cortlandt and Yorktown residents?
A: All three municipalities need tax relief. Of their property tax bills, over 70% goes to the school districts, We need a means of reform that lowers the burden on people, maintains our quality of education, and can maintain the same levels of effectiveness.

We need jobs all across the district. We need short term, medium term and long term projects. Short term construction and infrastructure (especially wireless broadband, internet is now infrastructure) projects will pay medium and long term dividends. 

Finally, all three municipalities need to be represented properly. I will make representing the first district more or less my full time job. I will listen to all opinions and work in a bipartisan fashion with all municipalities and citizens, as well as across party lines as a Legislator. 

Q: What in your professional and personal life makes you qualified to serve as a county legislator?

A: I bring a lifetime of experience. I have worked in all facets of business; as a former small business owner I have known the red tape that hinders them. As a shop stewart and former union vice president, I have worked with adversaries to ensure compromise during negotiations and made things run smoothly.

Q: How do you measure the success of a county legislator?

A: Legislators who get results by working with all members of the board and show up, every meeting and committee meeting, to work looking out for the best interests of their constituents and the people of Westchester as a whole are successful. Also those who stand by their votes and not piggyback on others success make for successful Legislator. 

Q: There are many empty storefronts, unemployed residents and struggling businesses in District 1. How would you as a county legislator help the local economy?

A: While there are a good number of empty storefronts, but Northern Westchester is much better off than many other areas of the country. Once we recover, those storefronts will return. However, there are people struggling and investments need to be made to encourage business growth. However, there is no magic bullet; there isn’t a one phrase way to fix our economy, it’ll take a number of programs or attempts. But I’m willing to take any measure that doesn’t force tax raises on our residents.

Q: Part of Yorktown is new to District 1 – what have you learned about Yorktown residents’ concerns and how will you address them?

A: Yorktown has been in the District, but now the Lakeland School District (Hello Hornets) is in the first district. Regardless of municipality though, taxes are too burdensome and we need jobs. That’s what I’ve heard all across the district. I will address these issues all the same, I don’t want to favor one municipality over the other, I want to bring jobs all over the district. 

Q: Describe your campaign platform or how you differentiate yourself from your opponent's platform?

A: I am not a paid professional politician, I will take the word of the people over the word of special interests. I will work in a bipartisan fashion in all corners of the district to help town and city needs.  

I’ve felt your pain in these trying times, I’ve raised my family here, and I want to be part of the solution unlike my opponent. The time is now to create new jobs in many fields right here in Westchester. As your legislator I will also ensure that our quality of life can be retained while finding new revenues to ease our tax rates. There is a better way to continue ensuring Westchester’s economic viability and quality of life. It will require tough choices, something I have had to do in my life, and I’m willing to do again, unlike my opponent.

For more on Michael Kane's positions visit his website: http://www.votekane2011.com/

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Editor's Note: Incumbent County Legislator for District 1 John Testa did not  provide answers to the same questions and asked that readers be directed to the following website for information on where he stands on the issues:

website: www.johngtesta.com
blog: https://johngtesta.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/johngtesta
E-newsletters: www.graphicmail.com/testa/rss
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/LegJohnGTesta
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