LaGrange Candidates

Bio

Edward "Ed" McCormick

for Dutchess County Legislature

Now is the time for change.  It is time to change how we approach and resolve challenges and issues confronting LaGrange and Dutchess County. It is time to govern with vision and commitment. Indeed, it is time for LaGrange to have an advocate in the County Legislature.

My wife Beatrice and I have lived in the Town of LaGrange for 33 years. My daughters, Erica and Rebecca are graduates of Arlington High School.  I have served on the Arlington school board for 22 years. I retired from IBM in March of 2002 after 33 years, working primarily in accounting and finance.

LaGrange is a wonderful and caring community. We will however be challenged by economic sprawl and burdensome tax policies that will impact our ability to maintain the rural character of our community in the future. Consequently, I believe that we will need to build community consensus that address issues with clarity and create a vision based on compassion and purpose.   I would like to contribute to this effort. And it is for this reason that I am running for county legislature. IT IS TIME!

Community School Board

• Member of the Arlington School Board for 22 years
• Member Dutchess County BOCES

Community Service

Serve on the following Boards:

• Hospice, Inc
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Health Quest Affiliates
• Association for Senior Citizens (ASC)
• Heart Association
• Patterns for Progress

Also served on the boards of:

• Dutchess County United Way
• Dutchess County Economic Development
• Dutchess Community College Foundation.

New York State Service

• Served as President New York State School Boards Association  
• Board Member- Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA)
• Chairman – New York State Education Conference Board (NYSECB)

My Platform:

• Support a blended approach to economic development and preservation of green space
• Promote policies to ensure a healthy water supply
• Pursue new sources of revenue to support property and school tax reform
• Practice the principles of good government for all the people.

William "Bill" McCabe

for Dutchess County Legislature

Currently representing District 13, parts of LaGrange, Union Vale and Wappingers.

I continue to serve on the Public Safety Committee and the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee. I also serve as the Democratic liaison to the Board of Trustees at Dutchess Community College as well as to the 4H Program at the Cornell Extension in Millbrook. Please feel free to contact me with your opinions, suggestions, and concerns.

Chris Rand

for Town of LaGrange Town Board

As a 20+ year Dutchess County resident, my wife Elizabeth and I chose LaGrange 11 years ago as the place to raise our daughter Alexis. In those years, I’ve noticed things like significant traffic congestion, rampant housing development and an overall impression that our town is changing--fast.

The issues that accompany this change will affect us for many years to come.  Solutions to these problems need action NOW!

I believe that government works better when there are varying viewpoints. For too long, LaGrange has had a one voice, one viewpoint, and one-party government.

It is for these reasons that I am running for local office. I hope I can count on your support.

Employment:

Music Director for the Dover Union Free School District.

Education:

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from S.U.N.Y. at Potsdam.

My Pledge:

Implement Intelligent Growth:

• Keeping rural areas rural
• Develop to enhance, not to harm:
• Traffic
• Taxes
• Storm Water Management
• Safe Drinking Water
• The Environment

Use Strong Fiscal Oversight:

• Last year’s budget grew by 11.7%, while giving raises of up to12.5 % to town employees.  I spoke up against this –and will be on the watch in the future.

Accountability/Communication from the Town:

• Televise town meetings and archive them in the town library.

John Colacchio 

LaGrange Town Council 

John, Julie, and their one year-old son, Shawn, moved to La Grange in 2001. They wanted to bring up their son in an open and safe community with an exceptional school district. The family purchased an older home that is continually under construction.  Julie is a schoolteacher in the area. His son, Shawn, is currently a student in the Arlington School District and will be joined in a few years by his new sister, Miranda.

John has worked steadily as a carpenter since he was in his twenties and currently works in Westchester County as a Union Carpenter. He has been a member of the Empire State Carpenters Union since 1993. John has earned the respect of the members of the union and leadership through his hard work and proven leadership. He currently serves on the Union’s Political Action Committee and is appointed as Shop Steward on many jobs.

John has had a lifelong interest in politics. He feels that it is no longer enough to be interested. It is time to be a part of the process and make changes to benefit our community.

Life Experience

• Owned/Managed a General Contracting Company
• Owned/Managed a Travel Agency
• Tax Preparer
• Dutchess County Foster Parent

Platform

• Balance the needs of LaGrange’s citizens and protect the environment
• Maintain the rural character of LaGrange and foster economic growth
• Preserve family farms
• Demonstrate accountability to the citizens of LaGrange
• Put aside partisan politics to make good decisions for the town of LaGrange
• Practice transparent government

Eileen Mang

for LaGrange Town Clerk

Eileen Mang is eminently qualified to serve as your Town Clerk.  Extensive work experience in both the private and public sector has afforded Eileen the necessary skills to manage this important office.

Eileen has worked in local government for almost 10 years, 4 years of which she held the position of Planning Board Secretary for the Town of Poughkeepsie.  She currently works for the Town of LaGrange and is serving her 6th year as Planning Board Secretary.  Eileen is highly experienced, knowledgeable and comfortably familiar with all departments within the LaGrange Town Hall.  She is motivated, has a strong work ethic and would be honored to serve the residents of the Town of LaGrange as Town Clerk.

Eileen is highly proficient and efficient in all aspects of her current position. Some of her responsibilities include recording and transcribing board minutes, posting agendas, legal notices, maintaining Planning Board escrow accounts and providing accurate and up to date data on the website.  She works closely with the public sector including engineers, architects and local residents. Eileen has been a resident of the Town of LaGrange since 1987 and resides on Rossway Road with her husband Rob of 25 years and their 3 children, Kristina, Lindsay and Jonathan.

Work Experience:

• Town of LaGrange Planning Board Secretary
• Town of Poughkeepsie Planning Board Secretary
• CBS Television, Human Resources, 5 Yrs.

Other Interests:

• FCC licensed Amateur Radio Operator
• Provide emergency communications for public service events
• Community Day volunteer

My Goals:

• Extend the hours of service in the Town Clerk’s office by utilizing flexible scheduling
• Work closely in cooperation with the Town Supervisor and Town Board
• Offer a higher level of cooperation and friendly service to the community
• Seek to improve interoffice relationships and efficiency within the Town Hall
• Utilize Deputy Clerks to their fullest potential