Rye People: Mayoral Candidate Doug French (Part 2 of 2)
Today we have our second installment of our interview with Doug French, the mayoral candidate challenging Rye's sitting Mayor Steve Otis who is gunning for another four years (see our first installment here).
Here is French on his prescription for Rye's flooding, grade Rye City's performance including three issues where French assigns a "F" and he'll tell us where he likes to eat out:
Rye sustained $80 million in damage in the April 15, 2007 flood. Is Rye prepared for the next “100 Year” flood? What are the most important things we need to do to prepare, how much will they cost and how should Rye pay for them?
Rye is not prepared for the next 100-year flood – and what we need is:
1. A plan — We have gone from a “Rye floods” label to being branded as a “flood community” — and with it a stigma that has significant economic overall impact on our property, downtown, businesses, schools and organizations. We owe it to the community to deliver a flood mitigation plan that delivers to the public the best options available, the level of commitment needed and the required funding and sources to make it happen.
2. The Sluice Gate — Feet do matter, so the sluice gate is a good first step in mitigating flooding and I hope the County will pass their funding share at the upcoming vote. Other projects such as the $30M Upper Pond project need a lot more vetting as the experts are divided and there may be better alternatives to consider.
3. Upstream development oversight and Regional planning – We need to make sure our interests are represented upstream and that major projects such as the airport expansion are fully vetted before we feel their impacts downstream while at the same time making sure we pass and enforce our own flood mitigation and water retention policies
Teachers in Rye public schools have been operating without a contract for over two years due to a stalemate between Rye’s Board of Education and the Rye Teacher’s Association. What specifically should be done to resolve this stalemate, if anything?
I just returned from taking my first child to college at Vanderbilt University and the extraordinary opportunities in front of him are in large part due to the education and experience he got as a product of the Rye public school system. Although the City plays no role in this issue, I do think the public has been well-informed on the issue and as one community we all encourage an amicable resolution.
Grade Rye’s handling of the following issues over the last two years:
Flooding – (B) The City has done a good job in its flood response practices after the general public provided feedback from the 2004 flood. Scott Pickup has been a key leader in working through the myriad of County, State and Federal bureaucracies to find funding and manage project specifications. The central avenue bridge is a constant reminder that we have a long way to go in getting our community back.
Fiscal Responsibility – (C) Rye needs to do better, it has to do better. 10 years ago the cost to operate the City based on the 1998 audited financial report was $17M. It is now tracking over $34M – that is significant growth in a period where inflation was 2% to 3%. In combination with the County and School taxes, taxpayers simply cannot afford the combo effect.
Public Works – (B) The level of service has been good.
Public Safety – (B) Overall the level of service has been good from Police and Fire and I would like to see greater enforcement on cell phone law. I was pleased to see the Asst. City Manager was able to obtain funding on the pedestrian safety projects we developed from the Trailways and Safe Routes to Schools program. I am still baffled as to why there is not yet a stop sign at Midland Avenue.
Public Recreation – (A) The Recreation Dept does an excellent job in delivering higher cost-recovery to the tax-payers than budgeted each year and continues to deliver high-level programs and facilities that enhance our quality of life.
Other Issues:
City Manager Turnover – (F) As a City Manager form of Government we need to stabilize that position and cannot afford the financial and opportunity cost of the constant turnover of 4 times in 8 years.
Osborn Litigation – (C) The ongoing litigation fees to the taxpayers of over $10M and the higher taxes paid without relief by the residents that live there are burdens that after a decade need resolution.
1037 Boston Post Road – (F) The purchase of 1037 Boston Post Road (Old CVS Bldg) for a potential police station has been a huge financial misstep by the City with an upcoming $5M bond on completion of the sale, a commercial property loss on the building value, monthly losses on the lease payments and interest charges, loss on the City tax rolls, and a $15M capital improvement to turn the building into a police station in a flood zone. After 10 years of planning and 3 consultants – we need new leadership on this.
Ongoing City Hall Controversies – (F) the handling of Hen Island , Schubert Pond, and the Shew firing continue to bog down the work of the Council and have cost the City a great deal in terms of time, money and reputation.
What are your three greatest contributions to Rye?
As Chairman of the Rye Recreation Commission
• Cost-recovery to Rye taxpayers: Annually achieved higher cost-recovery to Rye City taxpayers of Recreation operating expenses than budgeted for
• New Field/activity space: Expansion of the Damiano Recreation Center for multi-use and senior space, the new Rye Nursery field for school and City soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. The new Rye Skateboard Park for teen activities. The 2 new baseball fields at Disbrow Park for Rye Girls Sports, Little League and Babe Ruth. The new plans for development of the Thruway Field.
As Chair of the Joint Committee on the Feasibility of Purchasing the Durland Center
• Led the financial analysis and forecasting on the revenue/cost impact to taxpayers on a joint lease or purchase of the Center between the City and School District from a third-party seller
As Co-Chair of the Safe Routes to School and Trailways Committee
• Developed and presented the full report on recommendations to City Council on pedestrian safety with immediate priorities tied to the Boston Post Road, sidewalks to Rye Neck Schools, the Oakland Beach Avenue/Hix Road sidewalk area, and Forest Avenue road widening for walkers, joggers and bikers. Funding has been secured for most by Asst City Manager.
What are the three best reasons to live in Rye?
1. The community – Rye is a true community with real neighborhoods of friendships, collaboration and cooperation one will not find anywhere else.
2. The people – the sense of volunteerism and help thy neighbor is as strong today as it was 22 years ago when I moved here.
3. The assets – The combination of the schools, organizations, open spaces, water front, and downtown and more make it the great place that it is.
Where can we find you on a Saturday morning?
Usually activities with kids – Little league, Tae-Kwon-Do, dance, soccer, etc.
Restaurants
We eat out a lot and having been in Rye 22 years, we go back to our regular spots that have been around a long time like Belluscio's, Town Dock (Maple Tree) and Kelly’s Sea Level. Other nights we rotate across the many new establishments that have come to Rye as well as Sunrise for pizza, Piazza Pizza for delivery and Poppy’s for breakfast.
Where do you live in Rye?
46 Meadow Place (10 years)
Formerly — 13 Richard Place (7 years) (still own, but rent out)
Formerly — 64 Grapal St as a renter (5 years)
Graduated from Rye Neck School District
How else are you involved in the community?
Past and Present
Chair – Rye Recreations Commission
Rye Cable Commission
Co-Chair – Rye Trailways and Safe Routes to School Chair
Chair – Rye Durland Feasibility Study
Former Vice-Chair, Rye City Republican Committee
Christ Church
Rye Nature Center
Rye Arts Center
Rye Little League
Rye Girls Sports
Rye Pack 2 – Cub Scouts
Midland School
Osborn School
Rye Middle School
Rye High School
Manursing Island Club
Rye Golf Club
Tell us your contact information:
web site: changeforrye.com
phone: 917-821-4344 cell, 914-967-7298 home
email address [email protected]
Your Twitter account: tbd
Your Facebook account: douglas french
“City Hall Controversy’s” – how quaint and genteel.
Maybe a better description would be the almost complete collapse of the rule of law followed by one cover up after another to mask the apparent malfeasance?
Where have you gone Paul Shew – a City turns its lonely eyes to you.
Would Candidate French favor creating flood district tax to pay the upstream captial infrastructure costs? Why should
the majority of Rye’s residential properties pay the burden of protecting commercial and private
property owners who decided to purchase in a flood zone?
Mr French was co-chair of the
Temporary Trails and Traffic Safety Committee he’s not involved
with Safe Routes to School Committee. Mr French needs to correct his community resume.
“Ongoing City Hall Controversies – (F) the handling of Hen Island, Schubert Pond, and the Shew firing continue to bog down the work of the Council and have cost the City a great deal in terms of time, money and reputation.”
Amen! I am not sure what Mr. French’s plans are with regard to the Hen Island controversy but just the fact that he realizes that it has been mishandled tells me we will not be seeing Mr. Floatie and Jack A, at the city council meetings after January 1st.
Although I don’t speak for Mr. Schubert it also sounds like Doug has the ability to make that one go away before the city spends millions on litigation and/or settlements.
In my opinion these are two very simple issues that Mayor Otis has mishandled. Had they been dealt with correctly from the beginning they would have been rectified long ago?
The common denominator with the both of them was that Steve Otis doesn’t have the ability to say, sorry we have made a mistake and how do we make it right? Instead he tried to cover it up with lies and worse yet, he used other city employees to do his dirty work. I also believe Otis tried to use Shew as a scapegoat on both issues.
The CVS and the Shew mess that Otis got us in, is going to be a tough one.
I don’t think Mr. French wants nor needs my support but good luck on those two, Mr. French.
Right on the money Ray!
A LIE LEADS TO A LIE LEADS TO A LIE!
When I first approached Mayor Otis and the City Council with a request for a simple STOP SIGN where a little(my) boy was struck and killed by oncoming traffic his first response was “i will look into it”. Everything that followed was ONE LIE AFTER ANOTHER! I think what he meant was let me talk to our waste of money City Attorney Kevin Plunkett! This man forced me into a battle instead of letting my family mourn in peace. It is a fight I have taken on with great pride and I will continue to fight as a Leading Advocate for complete PUBLIC & PEDESTRIAN SAFETY for as long as I am breathing God Willing!
It seems this is the way to do business with everything Otis touches. Now we are heading in the same direction with the handling of the Thruway Field!
BTW- Before you all run out and vote for Mr.Andy Ball he was one of two councilman who “voluntarily” approached me in front of my son’s casket and “PROMISED” to help me fix Midland Ave. and do whatever he can. Not only did he promise once he did it again a few days later. IT was the 2 emptiest promises I have ever heard in my life!!! I am not mentioning the other councilman because he is stepping down and it would be pointless!
Jim, I’m sure they (at least) gave you a reason why they decided against the stop sign. What was the reason?
Avg. Citizen,
Do you honestly and sincerely not know the history behind this or are you looking to pick apart my answers as we go back and forth because I really don’t have the time to repeat the last almost 4 years of BS that has been shoved down my throat by Mayor Otis!
Just to somewhat answer your question Otis and his Asst. City Manager along with a few others have given me a reason or two which none make sense and I’ve completely shot them out of the water. As a matter of fact their answers to me & my family make as much sense as the conduct of Commissioner Connors and Lt. Falk as to why they refuse to do radar and ticket all the assholes that speed up and down Midland Ave. including some of the Midland School Faculty!!!
Jim, no, I do not know the reason and are not trying to pick a fight or anything. I know about your son, but don’t know what reason(s) they gave your regarding the stop sign.
I just asked a question. If you’d rather not answer it, not a big deal.
Ray–
Do you realize you are taking SO MANY crucial votes away from French by endorsing him?
ironically, you are the mayors best supporter.
Chris (polluter) Henn Island,
I don’t know enough about Doug French to endorse him but I am taking a look at it and as I have said I don‘t think he wants or needs my endorsement. What I do endorse is change. Otis has dropped the ball so many times on so many issues we need a change. I believe he has held the helm too long and is now having to repay all his political favors that are costing Rye residents dearly.
I will tell you what I do realize and that is; it appears that the only way you and the rest of your Hen Island polluter friends will be allowed to continue to pollute is if Otis gets re-elected. Then even if he is re-elected, you have little chance of continuing you unhealthy habits.
Rye has already compelled you to remediate the building and safety code violations. They are now holding you responsible for the illegal 40-foot wall you built along the shore without permits and eventually they will make you responsible for the sewage and potable water issues.
Even though Otis refuses to admit it, there is too much exposure to the city if someone gets sick on Hen Island. You have been exposed, the islands efforts to hide their dirty little secret in the middle of Westchester County is now out in the open. People are not going to tolerate it much longer even if Oits continues his games.
Face it Otis is a politician first with his own agenda to climb the political ladder and a Rye resident second. If “Otis politics” did not play a part in this Hen Island issue as well as many of the other issues the city council deals with on a regular basis, they all would have been dealt with and put to bed long ago.
Additionaly,if you and your polluting followers spent the 150 thousand dollars on fixing the problems instead of giving it to your lawyer to defend polluting the waters, we would have been finished with this problem by now.
Ray:
It has been reported that Kevin Plunkett has resigned or has been fired from the Village of Mamaroneck, the Village of Dobbs Ferry and the Village of Irvington.
The law firm that Plunkett used to be a partner in, Thacher Proffitt & Wood, went belly up.
When Plunkett was a partner in this now failed law firm, Thacher Proffitt & Wood, they received a lot of Rye’s legal work.
Is it remotely possible that they were the best law firm available each and every time?
Not surprisingly, Plunkett’s new law firm, which he is a partner in, DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, now receives a lot of work from the City of Rye.
Is it remotely possible that they are they the best law firm available each and every time?
Rye’s legal fees are through the roof.
Do you know if Otis plans on keeping Plunkett in Rye and continue to pay his health insurance premiums?
Could Mamaroneck, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington all have been wrong about Plunkett or does Otis have something to gain politically or financially with Plunkett?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JXoSway7uo
Carpetbagger Ray
BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!
Have you reported yourself for illegally extending your septic field? Or was that just another lie?
FLUSH Flush
blah
Linus,
Any chance you might have something positive to add one day?
The broken record is old and steal!
Get over yourself already!!!
Jim, I too aren’t thrilled that Linus keeps posting that question. If Ray would just answer it, I’m sure he will stop.