Meet the Candidates: Meg Walker

Hastings-on-Hudson residents will have the chance to cast their ballots in an uncontested election on March 19 for the mayoral seat and two seats on the village board of trustees.

The voting will be held on Tuesday, March 19 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the James Harmon Community Center at 44 Main St.

The Democratic incumbents are Mayor Peter Swiderski and Trustees Bruce Jennings and Meg Walker.

See our Q&A below to learn more about your candidates.

• Name:  Meg Walker
• How long have you living in Hastings-on-Hudson? 20 years this October.
• Age: 59
• Family/Significant Other/Pets: Husband: Clem Paulsen; 16 year old daughter, Lila; 2 cats and one dog.
• Job Title/Profession/Number of Years with Company: Director of Urban Design, Project for Public Spaces, Inc., 18 years.
• Education: B.A. Wesleyan University; M. Arch. Columbia University
• Other activities and current/past community involvement: Board Member, Untermyer Garden Conservancy, 2011-present; Friday Night Live Chair, 2009-present; Ad Hoc Committee for the Downtown, 2012-present; Member of the Rivertowns Tourism Board, 2011-present; Co-Founder, Hastings Farmers Market, volunteer from 1998-2009; Member of the Conservation Commission, 1995-1998; Member of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Committee, 1997-2007; Director, Laura Jane Musser Fund (charitable foundation) 1996-2010; playing the fiddle, skiing and hiking with the Adirondack Mountain Club 
• Have you served in office before? From when to when? When you elected? Have you run for any other office before? I have served two terms as Trustee, 2009-present.  I have not run for other public offices.
• Party: Democratic/ Hastings Democratic Party 

Why are you running for another term on the Hastings-on-Hudson Board of Trustees?

There are a number of initiatives that I have been involved in that I would like to keep moving forward, especially: downtown revitalization; waterfront clean-up and planning; deer control; transportation and traffic improvements; tourism promotion; large tract preservation and rezoning; parks and public space enhancements.

How do you feel about the fact that the election is uncontested?

I am honored to be running unopposed and I appreciate the public’s faith in me.   I will strive to live up to that trust. 

What makes you the best candidate for a seat on the board? What do you bring to the board as a member? 

I have extensive experience as a planner and urban designer in working with the public to improve their communities. In addition, I am a hands-on problem-solver who likes to get things done.  

Explain your stance on the following issues, and how you would address these issues as a council member?

• Property taxes - I am appalled at how our property taxes have increased over the years causing real hardship for many residents. I have joined the Board in accepting the 2% property tax cap, supported cost cutting measures in our annual budget and looked for ways to collaborate with neighboring villages in a variety of ways to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Deer Control - I am in favor of our proposed immuno-contraception plan to attempt to control the deer, which have become a public health menace and an environmental disaster in our community.

• Waterfront Cleanup/Redevelopment - I have been involved with various waterfront efforts since 1997, including the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, the Waterfront Festival in 1997 (co-chair) and the Waterfront Planning Workshops in 2000 (organizer/facilitator). As a Trustee, I believe we need to continue to actively push BP and the other responsible parties to achieve the best possible remediation and continue to work with the public to plan the redevelopment of this important site. 

• Saw Mill River Lofts - We have asked the Planning Board to make a recommendation to us, but I have a number of concerns that I will ask the Planning Board to address with the client before the proposal comes back to the Board of Trustees, including flooding and storm-water management, the affordable housing separation, walkability and compliance with the Green Building Code we are close to approving. 

What are other issues facing the village you feel are important, and how would you address these issues? 

I would like to work to implement our Comprehensive Plan, especially focusing on:

• Encouraging more people to walk and bike in Hastings by making it safer through sidewalk improvements, traffic calming and safer crosswalks
• Preserving the environmental and scenic assets of our large tracts through buffers, wetland preservation and rezoning
• Passing a Green Building Code and continuing to make the Village more sustainable and energy-efficient
• Driving more business to our downtown by working with neighboring villages to share promotional efforts and possibly even a downtown manager, and recruiting the right businesses for our downtown

What are some of your proudest accomplishments while being on the board?

• Working with a team of energetic residents and Village staff to start and sustain Friday Night Live
• Overseeing the design, fabrication and installation of directional signs
• Approving the Comprehensive Plan
• Moving the waterfront clean-up ahead

What is your favorite thing about Hastings-on-Hudson?

Its wonderfully engaged, warm and talented residents. 

Anything else you would like to add?

It is an honor to serve on the board with four brilliant, energetic and forward-thinking individuals.