Nov 7, 2023 - Town Elections

Green Screen for Town Elections

Green Screen for Town Elections

This year’s Town of Warwick elections are unusual in that there are no contested races — three candidates for three positions. As a result, the Sustainable Warwick Green Screen, whose mission is to help Warwick voters choose between candidates, is taking a slightly different approach.

Even though it was clear that they would be elected on Nov 7, the three candidates — Jesse Dwyer (JD) for Town Supervisor, Russ Kowal (RK) and Tom Mattingly (TM) for Town Board — were asked for their thoughts on several important issues that pertained to sustainability and Warwick.

The Issues and Candidate Responses: 

Shifting Town vehicles to alternative energy when economically feasible:

All candidates expressed their support for this idea, with JD pointing to his experience while Mayor of Greenwood Lake and citing “very positive outcomes.” RK and TM were also positive, although noting that the technology was still evolving and that the economics and vehicle efficiency would have to be seriously considered.

Having more charging stations for electric vehicles in the Town:

Strong support from all candidates, with the caveat that here too, the technology was rapidly improving and that factor should be taken into account.

Increasing solar/alternative energy use in Town buildings:

Generally positive responses, but with JD and TM noting that this is a “complicated issue,” citing issues like the “blight” of solar fields (JD, TM) and “environmental hazards” (TM), like the disposal of solar panels.

Starting a Town composting site open throughout the year:

Strong support from TM, based on his personal experience with composting, and qualified support from JD (“if processes are nailed down to reduce labor requirements for an already stressed Town workforce”) and RK (if “undesirable materials” can be controlled.)

Continuing support for PDR, open space, as well as Wickham Woodlands and Mountain Lake Park:

Strong support from all three candidates.

The Bottom Line for Sustainable Warwick

SW has a strict policy of never endorsing or favoring any one candidate, but in light of these unusual election circumstances, they are comfortable sharing the candidates’ basically positive responses to all these sustainability-related issues, and agree that the various caveats they mentioned merit careful examination.