Michael Newhard
I have served as Mayor since 2001. Prior to that, I served as a Trustee and Duputy Mayor. During my tenure I’ve been involved in legislative decisions, large and small municipal projects and initiatives that have defined the village we see today.
Some of these initiatives included the purchase and restoration of Railroad Green, the development of the Warwick Summer Concert Series, the strengthening and expansion of our Youth Leadership Programs, the development of public engaged beautification efforts in partnership with Warwick Valley Gardeners and Warwick in Bloom. The Village was awarded top honors by America in Bloom and the International Challenge of Communities in Bloom. Master Plans were created that have led to the rebirth of Stanley-Deming and Memorial Park. Cultural Landscape Reports were completed for The Madison Lewis Woodlands to protect and preserve this valuable asset. Over this period, we saw a 27 acre expansion of our parkland including: The Madison Lewis Woodlands, Hallowed Ground, Railroad Green and an additional 12 acres to Memorial Park.
Infrastructure has been a critical part of my administration’s efforts. Projects included: Well #2 Microfiltration Plant, the Reservoir Dredging Project, as well as the Spillway Restoration after Hurricanes Irene and Lee. These storms also destroyed the Parkway Culvert which was restored. We are now involved in a 12 million dollar upgrade of our Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Orchard Street Pump Station. Projects for 2022 include: the rebuilding of Well #3 and the replacement of the Reservoir Storage Tank. The Village has received over 12 million dollars in grants to fund these projects. Over this period, 23 roads throughout the Village have been upgraded and repaved, over 10 substantial sidewalk projects have been completed including the entire neighborhoods on Van Buren, Howe, and Factory Streets, as well as ADA compliant walkways leading to the new playground in Stanley-Deming Park. A pathway was created to span the entire length of McFarland Drive to make a safer pedestrian environment. Again, many of these projects were accomplished with State, Federal and County funding.
We are in the midst of rewriting our Comprehensive Master Plan which is an important visioning document preparing us for the future, leading to sustainable growth and creative problem solving. Multiple developments have been constructed while I’ve been in office including: Ridgefield and Warwick Grove. Warwick Grove is internationally recognized as being one of the best planned new neighborhoods of its kind.
To run a village is an exercise in daily collaboration. The relationship on an intermunicipal level has been key but it’s also the continuous connection with our non-profits, our civic and grass roots organizations, neighborhoods, and outreach to those often less served.
I have witnessed the camaraderie and humanity of our community, in good times as well as in challenging times, such as storms, hurricanes, fire, flood and a global pandemic. As Mayor, I have grown through these experiences and I believe I’ve earned the trust that can only happen with experience and leadership.
Eileen Patterson
I’m running for Mayor because I care deeply about Warwick. I raised my three kids here. My husband was born here. I have grown a successful service business in the Village. I served as a Village Trustee for 3 terms. Through that experience, I have learned that this is not about politics; it is about service and focus. An effective Mayor needs to listen carefully to diverse opinions, manage expectations and be a careful steward of our resources.
I also believe the job is about careful change where change makes sense. We need to review and correct misunderstandings of procedures and projects that have clouded over time, in part because Village leadership hasn’t changed in two decades. I know most of the employees at the Village — they are knowledgeable and talented — but I believe they need more support and direction from a re-energized Mayor’s Office.
Experience also matters. We need to hit the ground running on April 4. A budget is due June 1, a DPW contract negotiation is on the horizon, several development projects are in process, and we are in the midst of major improvements to the water and sewer systems. I have the experience to move these things ahead and bring new ideas to lingering problems. Infrastructure is, of course, a key issue that needs both experience and new ideas. We need a long-term plan that addresses immediate needs, recognizes where a solid maintenance program would stave off urgency, and set clear future goals. This requires responsible budgeting, seeking alternative funding without impacting the tax bill, and equipping employees with the right skills to provide good maintenance.
Ours is a community of forward thinkers, actively focused on preserving our jewel of a Village but also on new ideas to address new challenges. Countless volunteers engage in the day-to-day contributions that make Warwick special, like youth sports programs, the arts, and community service. These dedicated community members offer real contributions to Warwick and pragmatic solutions to problems. We need to listen to these folks about their concerns and utilize their talents unbound by how we’ve done things in the past.
We need to focus more on communication. Throughout the campaign, I’ve answered questions from residents about everything from sidewalks and parking meters to building permits and upcoming development projects. I will use all available platforms to proactively communicate information to the Village residents.
Under my leadership, each of the four trustees will be fully engaged, informed and better prepared for meetings, all to foster the educated, open and vigorous discussions necessary to make sound decisions. I will collaborate with the entire board to identify the interests and talents of those newly elected and work with the sitting trustees to create an energetic and cohesive team.
The ballot order has been decided and I’m on the bottom line. That’s perfect for me: Whether it’s fiduciary decisions, advocating for residents, choosing priorities, working with diverse ideologies, and engaging all who want to be involved, I’m all about the bottom line.
Matt Sullivan
What a wonderful village Warwick is. I am running for the office of Mayor because we are entrusted to make it the best Warwick Village it can be, for ALL residents, ALL businesses, and ALL neighborhoods, and for our children. We must preserve it for future Warwickians and are charged by honor to leave it a better place than we found it. This is not happening now. The sidewalks, or the lack thereof sometimes, are still endangering and injuring people; young and senior. Sewer pipes are leaking, a sewer treatment plant is sorely in need of modernization and our water system, a report last year has shown, needs a $47MM overhaul. How do we find ourselves in such dire straits? How do we get out of it?
The current mayor seemed to have other priorities than the ones I mentioned for the past 20 years. The other mayoral candidate was on board with the mayor as a trustee for 12 of those 20 years. They know a lot about the operation of the Village. But despite all that knowledge, we find ourselves where we are today. If I thought either one of them would improve our situation, I would NOT be running. I do so with a sense of love and duty. My goal will be to get the Village to fiscal success and stability through a path of openness and trust.
There are no simple solutions. We need to come together as a community and solve them. We will devise methods of communication and accountability so all residents and merchants and Village employees can research and weigh-in and help solve them. No longer can we afford obscure progress on unfocused goals. We need to find new revenue sources and promote frugality of spending with fairness and sensitivity. We need to apply creativity and invest in innovation.
My wife and I moved here in 1996 and raised and launched two great kids; 28 and 32. I am a member of St. Stephen parish. Our children attended Saint Stephens-St. Edward grammar school and Warwick Valley High School. I coached in Warwick Little League for 13 years and taught 7th and 8th grade Catechism for 10 years at St. Stephen Church. I was a member of the St Stephen-St, Edward Home School Association for 8 years and president for two. I am a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Warwick. I was a mentor of a nonverbal autistic man for ten years. I organized a support the troops rally in 2008 at Railroad Green.
The Village election is being held on Tuesday the 15th of March and the polls are open from 9am to 9pm at the Goodwill Hook & Ladder Co., 25 Church Street Extension, off Forester Ave. I hope you will get your friends and family to vote with you.
It is your most influential vote. After all; It’s YOUR Village!
