Allen Carstensen for Village Board
There’s one basic reason that I’ve agreed to put a lawn sign for Allen Carstensen for Village Board in my lawn, and one fundamental reason that I’ll be voting for him on Tuesday: Critically open government.
Allen Carstensen has been an advocate for open and responsive government for years now, not just in the short time that he has been running for a place on the Village Board himself. Carstensen has been a frequent presence at Village Board meetings, and is well aware of how they run. On his Ulysses Democrats blog, Carstensen has been posting audio of Village meetings, so that the rest of us can get a sense of what’s going on with the Village Board of Trustees too, even when we aren’t able to attend.
As much as Carstensen understands the workings of the Village Board, he also seems to appreciate the importance of standing in the way of those workings when important issues are not being addressed. He has proven himself willing to stand apart from the presumed course of action, to question it and criticize it when it deserves criticism.
For those who believe that representative democracy means electing a body to conduct smooth-running meetings and get business done, Carstensen’s approach may seem inconvenient. For those of us who believe that representative democracy demands full public involvement, even when that involvement interferes with the quick operation of government meetings, Carstensen’s approach is vital.
We need someone on the Village Board who is willing to ask inconvenient questions, and to think about issues that aren’t being considered by others on the Board. We need a trustee who will operate in a very different way from the trustees who are already on the Board. Allen Carstensen can serve as that sort of trustee, with a critical eye to give projects a second going over when others approve at first glance.
Jonathan,
Thanks. I do hope that my posting the audio will increase public awareness of, and participation in, local government. I encourage people to contact me with questions and comments and suggestions.
cell – 273-2186, or whwoods@lightlink.com
I don’t want anyone to think that I’m against “smooth-running meetings” though. Mayor Petrovic runs the meetings very well, and the Board gets the Village’s business done very efficiently. If elected, I intend to help in that process, not stand in the way of it.
You’re right that I am willing to ask the occasional inconvenient question, and perhaps look at some issues in a different light than the others on the Board.
I don’t intend to force the Board to focus on national issues to the detriment of efficient operation, but I do think that some of these national issues are very much a part of life in the village, and deserve more consideration than they are given.
Polls will be open from noon until 9pm on Tuesday at the Village Hall. Mayor Petrovic and I will appreciate your vote.
You can read about my stand on many issues at UlyssesDemocrats.blogspot.com
The Ithaca Journal printed a piece “T-burg, Ulysses continue water fight” this morning. It’s a disappointing piece of journalism. The headline makes it sound as if the village is fighting the town, which is not the case. The conflict is between those that want to rush ahead with ill conceived plans, and those who resist.
Then there is this,
“Carstensen said he’s not in favor or strongly opposed to water district five, and said he thinks it’s a decision to be made by the planing board and the zoning board.”
They got this totally wrong. I am strongly opposed to water district five – as presently described (25 miles of pipe and 10 – 15 million dollars) I did not say that it is a decision for the planning and zoning boards. The author is confusing what I said about the Byrne Dairy project (where I can see both sides) with what I said about wd5.
Allen- Its as plain as day you are the best candidate for trustee. The same cant be said for Nottke. I don’t think anyone knows what she stands for. Her letter didn’t reveal anything and she skipped a candidate debate. I cant believe she is too serious about this. Good luck Allen. You have my vote.
Sorry to hear about the Ithaca Journal story-mangling. I will be sure to read it, and then complain to the Journal about the inaccuracy. They are sooooo bad in terms of accuracy on local stuff– everybody says it, not just about local governments, but lots of other local stuff, from nonprofits to local businesses to local events.
Isnt Debbie Nottke the same woman who tried to stop the main street project from happening? Suing the village over a right of way, wasting taxpayer money and being all around petty because she couldnt get her way? and she claims she loves this village! What will they think of next. I dont know either of these candidates well, but I know enough not to believe a woman who says she cares so much for the village while her only real claim to public involvement was trying to destroy the beautiful main street we now have. Isnt that true Nottke?
vs Gore in this village!
And Nottke’s brochures don’t help any, they are red and blue and say vague things like:
“Many significant local issues will be addressed in the coming years. I would like to represent you in these important decisions!”
What the hell does that mean?
If this election is lost by the Democrats, it’s all about bad color choices and inability to pin their opponent down to positions. Lots more noise should have been made about DN’s skipping all the debates and public discourse. It’s like a Fred Thompson run (campaigning on autopilot) except she actually has a chance of winning because of the repub’s superior get out the vote machine.
that last comment got mangled by wordpress. It should read
What’s with the green and blue signs in this election? Green for democrats? blue for republicans??? If one didn’t know better they would think that it was Nader v Gore in this village!
And Nottke’s brochures don’t help any, they are red and blue and say vague things like:
“Many significant local issues will be addressed in the coming years. I would like to represent you in these important decisions!”
What the hell does that mean?
If this election is lost by the Democrats, it’s all about bad color choices and inability to pin their opponent down to positions. Lots more noise should have been made about DN’s skipping all the debates and public discourse. It’s like a Fred Thompson run (campaigning on autopilot) except she actually has a chance of winning because of the repub’s superior get out the vote machine.
Dr. Mr. X,
Fred Thompson? autopilot? My flyer which I’ve personally delivered to virtually every Democratic and unaffiliated household in the village (would have done the Republicans too, but for lack of time) has an insert that clearly states my positions on many important issues. My blog – ulyssesdemocrats.blogspot.com has much more. I’ve worked hard for this, and others in the local Democratic Party have too. I think we’ve gotten the word out about the no show at the debate. Do you live in the village? got any questions? give me a call 273-2186 is my cell #.
As far as pinning my opponent down – She has been polite, so we have reciprocated.
a lame response. but good luck. we’re pulling for you. being polite probably lost it for you.
Allen-
I live in the village and have a sign out with your name on it, but I’m seriously reconsidering based on your hot-headiness on this blog.
By the way, why do you only deliver your flier to friendly households? We received one from the democrats and republicans. It’s a shame the republicans are just seeing one side of things.
If Allen Carstensen loses to Debbie Nottke who has distinguished herself in no way shape or form, then this village should pack up and move out. that would be such a step in the wrong direction. then again republicans like prom queens right? Carstensen is not gonna lose as long as intelligent people get to the polls.
X- I think Allen misconstrued your op. I would chalk it up to pre election nerves. He has put alot into this election, knocking on every door and such..so maybe hes just a bit testy right now. Either way hes better than Nottke.
X, being polite never loses a village election. I don’t see any hotheadedness on the part of Allen here.
Did anyone listen to Debbie Nottke on the radio this morning???! What a joke. She didnt attend the candidate forum meeting because shes not about a political party and wouldnt go to a forum where controversial topics would be brought up (her words)??! Shes for the community, for ‘her’ people…what the hell are her people? She also mentions the planning board wrote the comprehensive plan…guess what they didnt, it was a separate committee organized by the board of trustees- the planning board had nothing to do with it. Shes running for the office and doesnt even know the basics. Oh and she got a flower delivery interrupting her phone interview. How fitting. Republicans can you please stop wasting our time and money with these people?
The only way Democrats lose this election is if they don’t get out and vote. Just ask our current Mayor, who was defeated for Trustee by a write-in effort when he ran “unopposed” some years ago. Vote! tell your friends! If we do, Nottke will be a footnote. If not, she’ll be a Trustee. Very simple.
Yes, I agree, Richard. I’ll be getting out to vote within the hour – the weather’s supposed to turn nasty starting at about 3:00 this afternoon.
Thank you for the reminder to vote today. These March elections are often forgotten about. Let’s keep the local government in progressively minded hands. They have done a good job so far. From Mr. Carstensen’s positions and statements he should be a very good trustee. Good luck Allen-everyone’s pulling for you.
I just got off the phone with a friend who used to work with Debbie Nottke. “What do you think of Debbie’s run for village trustee?” I asked. She said, “Oh, she’s running for office? Eeeewwww…” My friend said she didn’t know if DN would have the passion and follow-through to get anything done in office. And when I told her about DN’s dislike for controversy, she said, “Isn’t that what politics is all about?” Ay-yup.