When County Legislator Vince Esposito, D, Irondequoit, announced his resignation in early July to accept a post with Empire State Development, it set in motion a special election to fill the remaining three years of his second term, which he just won last November.
Former County Legislator Stephanie Polowe-Aldersley, reelected to the Irondequoit Town Board last fall, stepped down to temporarily fill the vacancy representing Irondequoit’s 16th legislative district until the election. She was sworn in Aug. 14.
Aldersley also agreed to seek the seat on election day. She is being challenged by Irondequoit podiatrist Dr. Joseph Carbone, who sought his first elective office against Esposito last fall.
To help inform voters, the Post asked each of the candidates questions about their campaign any why they're running.
Their answers, in their own words, follow.
STEPHANIE ALDERSLEY
What would you say are the top three issues in this year’s campaign for your office?
There are more than three. In terms of the public, taxes are surely the uppermost concern — and I believe my record demonstrates my commitment to that issue. Citizens are concerned — in a divided manner — about the I-Square Project, and I also hear a great deal about lack of integrity in county government. There is a great deal of evidence that the county is involved in cronyism, and in improper bidding. Many folks have communicated with me about hydrofracking policy; we need a county policy on acceptance of hydrofracking wastewater into our water treatment system. Boating concerns also rank high. Finally, infant mortality is an issue — our county has a very high rate of babies dying before their first birthday, when compared with other counties in New York State.
What is your definition of a public servant, or your philosophy of public service, and why did you choose to seek this office?
My philosophy of public service is very simple: I believe in bringing the community together, and I believe that public officials should be accessible to constituents. I believe that everyone should contribute to the community to the best of her ability. If we have gifts, we should use them to help others. I am in public service in order to keep government honest, to prevent politicians from profiting from public funds, and to make certain that citizens receive the services they deserve. I am seeking this office in order to bring my experience and institutional knowledge to the County Legislature, and to satisfy my own need to serve.
When County Legislator Vince Esposito, D, Irondequoit, announced his resignation in early July to accept a post with Empire State Development, it set in motion a special election to fill the remaining three years of his second term, which he just won last November.
Former County Legislator Stephanie Polowe-Aldersley, reelected to the Irondequoit Town Board last fall, stepped down to temporarily fill the vacancy representing Irondequoit’s 16th legislative district until the election. She was sworn in Aug. 14.
Aldersley also agreed to seek the seat on election day. She is being challenged by Irondequoit podiatrist Dr. Joseph Carbone, who sought his first elective office against Esposito last fall.
To help inform voters, the Post asked each of the candidates questions about their campaign any why they're running.
Their answers, in their own words, follow.
STEPHANIE ALDERSLEY
What would you say are the top three issues in this year’s campaign for your office?
There are more than three. In terms of the public, taxes are surely the uppermost concern — and I believe my record demonstrates my commitment to that issue. Citizens are concerned — in a divided manner — about the I-Square Project, and I also hear a great deal about lack of integrity in county government. There is a great deal of evidence that the county is involved in cronyism, and in improper bidding. Many folks have communicated with me about hydrofracking policy; we need a county policy on acceptance of hydrofracking wastewater into our water treatment system. Boating concerns also rank high. Finally, infant mortality is an issue — our county has a very high rate of babies dying before their first birthday, when compared with other counties in New York State.
What is your definition of a public servant, or your philosophy of public service, and why did you choose to seek this office?
My philosophy of public service is very simple: I believe in bringing the community together, and I believe that public officials should be accessible to constituents. I believe that everyone should contribute to the community to the best of her ability. If we have gifts, we should use them to help others. I am in public service in order to keep government honest, to prevent politicians from profiting from public funds, and to make certain that citizens receive the services they deserve. I am seeking this office in order to bring my experience and institutional knowledge to the County Legislature, and to satisfy my own need to serve.
What specific experience, either professional or personal, do you have that would uniquely inform you as you tackle the duties of the elective office you are seeking?
As a daughter, mom, sister and grandmother, I have learned to keep a family moving forward economically and educationally. As a school board member, as finance chair of the BOCES board, and as finance chair of my church, I learned how to read a balance sheet, and to examine a budget line-by-line. As president of a national education professional association, the Conference of American Educators of the Deaf (CAID) and with BOCES, I inherited very serious structural deficits, and was able to direct action that prevented bankruptcy. The presidency of the Monroe County School Boards Association, and the presidency of CAID, were roles that led me to become involved in legislative action, and resulted in my eventually running for office. As a professor, as president of Irondequoit Rotary, and as minority leader in the Legislature, I have learned to assist people in working together, and in working constructively.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Monroe County in the next couple of years? How does it affect your constituents in Irondequoit and how can you help, if elected?
The biggest issue we face is diminishing resources in the face of rising public needs. As the population of Irondequoit ages, our citizens will be in need of county services, and state services run by the county. Medicaid, for instance, is administered by the county, and is utilized by aging and disabled people, in addition to serving those in poverty. How will the county support a staff to administer this program? The pinch will be felt in all county services: County roads, wastewater treatment, bus service, the airport, the county hospital, MCC. There is no room for funneling much-needed funding to friends, cronies and relatives of county officials.
DR. JOSEPH CARBONE
What would you say are the top three issues in this year’s campaign for your office?
Fight to keep property taxes stable and streamlining government spending so that seniors can afford to stay in their homes. I will also support programs that create and retain local jobs, so that small businesses can flourish and hire more employees. I know firsthand that local jobs are created by local small businesses, just like mine. Monroe County has exceptional services that our community can take advantage of, like our zoo, our parks and our library system, just to name a few. All of those services make Monroe County a great place to live and I will make sure we continue to have them available.
What is your definition of a public servant, or your philosophy of public service, and why did you choose to seek this office?
My definition of a public servant is a person who cares a great deal about their community, wants to help it to flourish and be a voice for their friends and neighbors. It might sound cliché, but I love Irondequoit! I was born and raised here, and now Mary and I are raising our daughter in our great town. For 29 years, I have had the pleasure of caring for patients in my podiatry office on Titus Avenue, right in the heart of Irondequoit. Many of my patients are senior citizens; when they come to see me, they talk with me about the struggles of living on a fixed income. It is heartbreaking to hear how their children and grandchildren are forced to move out of state looking for better jobs. I feel a commitment to them and to our entire community.
What specific experience, either professional or personal, do you have that would uniquely inform you as you tackle the duties of the elective office you are seeking?
I have been a small business owner for 29 years and I believe I have done a good job at growing my business while providing a high quality of service to my patients. Also, a large part of being a health care provider is communication. I listen to patients every day and together we agree on a course of action for healing. I will bring all of my experience as a small businessman and doctor to the Monroe County Legislature.
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Monroe County in the next couple of years? How does it affect your constituents in Irondequoit and how can you help, if elected?
In my opinion, the biggest issue facing Monroe County is getting our neighbors back to work so they can continue to live the American Dream of being a homeowner. The best way for us to do that is to fight for stable taxes and to support programs and initiatives that promote job creation and retention. Right now is when those people need help from their community leaders to help them get back on the right track. As a county legislator I will do just that.
