I recently wrote a post in the All Things East Williston Facebook Group titled “Answering the Call to Serve — East Williston Village Elections.”
After such, I received an outpouring of comments and encouragement to run for mayor of East Williston. While that was not the intention of my post, it creates an opportunity to describe things I would do as mayor of East Williston.
First, I believe change is needed in our village.
Over the last four years, village residents have been impacted by water quality issues, an unfair tax assessment system, and public safety concerns. These challenges were created or supported by the policies, actions or inaction on the part of the incumbent board.
Too many times our board has taken actions that impacted residents without proper deliberation. I’d commit to end this practice and ensure a greater level of transparency and accountability.
Further, as mayor of East Williston, I would:
1. Establish an East Williston Village Water Committee
a. The committee would be established to study the water quality issues in our Village and obligations under our water supply agreement with Williston Park.
b. The goal would be to gather input and provide recommendations to address issues raised by residents including water quality and the dramatic increase in water rates.
2. Establish a Financial Advisory Committee
a. The committee would be established to study the financial operations of the Village and the property tax assessment system.
b. The goal would be to gather input and provide recommendations to reduce the tax levy and to put an end the unequal tax assessment which causes over half of residents to pay more taxes than they should.
3. Establish a Safety and Security Committee
a. The committee would be established to study the trends in crime and vandalism in our Village.
b. The goal would be to gather input and provide recommendations for better communication with residents, the NCPD and identify ways to respond to ongoing acts of crime and vandalism. The committee would also gather input on ways to coordinate security enhancement with the EWSD.
I would commit to making the process of each committee transparent, include members with a diversity of opinions and gathering public input prior to submitting any matter to the board for consideration.
I am encouraged about the upcoming elections in the village of East Williston and I believe change can be a catalyst for good.
Lastly, I look forward to supporting any efforts to ensure that the village of East Williston continues to be a great place to live.
Stephan Leccese
East Williston resident since 2003
