Today, I’m posting my questions to Allen Wilbur, one of two Republican nominees for the Dresden Town Board, along with his responses.
To begin, could you tell us about yourself?
Hi and thanks for asking the questions. I have lived in Dresden my entire life, I attended Whitehall central and Whitehall High school. I also attended the NYSDOCS academy in 1989 and proudly served as a Corrections officer for 25 years. I retired in 2014. My interests are all over the place, I am comfortable sitting in our huge gardens and blueberry patch, to riding our motorcycles to Maine for a vacation. Our Maple syrup business started out as a hobby, but has turned into a small business. I would like to see more small businesses start here in Dresden, maybe utilizing the resources we have here, farm lands and the lake frontage on both sides of the mountain.
You’ve served on the Town Board for four years. What do you consider your biggest accomplishments?
I believe we have worked hard to keep our town on the right track as far as taxes go. We have been hit with huge insurance premiums increases and I feel I don’t have a personal accomplishment, but as a whole the supervisor and the board have worked together to have a very open government and we have strived to do our best to keep taxes low as possible while still keeping our roads in good shape.
Why should people consider voting for you?
Why should people consider voting for me? My door is always open, and I have tried to be available to anyone who has approached me with a concern or problem. I have always looked beyond party lines and tried to do what is best for the entire town as a whole.
Taxes have always been a big issue in Dresden. Can you give us your thoughts on Dresden’s tax policy?
Tough question on our tax policy, all I can say is that I have tried as well as the board to keep our taxes in check to the best of our ability. We have come up against an increase in insurance for our employees, which hasn’t only effected us but almost all local communities. A lot of our town road equipment is 20 plus years old which also has effected us in repairs. We are working to upgrade, without being an excessive burden on our taxpayers.
Thanks for taking the time to inform the voters and good luck in the election. We all need people committed to making our town a better place. Is there one final thought you’d like to leave with the voters?
On a final thought, please come out and vote. We have a great little town and your voice counts. Please come to the board meetings, we are always open to hearing your concerns. Please let us know if we are doing the job you elected us to do. Thank you again – Allen Wilbur.
Editor’s note: I would like to thank Mr. Wilbur for his responses. Interview questions and answers are published in the order in which they are received.