Category: The Landing

Today, I post a candidate interview with Carl Sobeck, Democratic nominee for Dresden Town Board. I have sent candidate questionnaires to all those running in this year’s town elections and will post their responses as received. Below are my questions and Mr. Sobeck’s responses.

Could you please tell us about yourself and why you are running for the town board?

I have lived in Huletts Landing for the past seven years and have been active in different organizations. I belong to the Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company and I serve as Vice-President. I am a forty year plus member of the Sheriff’s Association, and also volunteer at Skene Manor. I believe I would be a good council member.

Could you tell us about some of your “life experiences” that have formed your outlook on the world?

I have an A.A. Degree in Business Management and have taken coursework at three different colleges. I also was the President of a Lake Association for over twenty years. When I took over that position, the Association was broke. I repaired the Lake’s Dam, working with State officials.

Are you involved in any church, civic or other community organization that works to make Dresden a better place?

I belong to the Huletts Volunteer Fire Company. I have been a member of the Sheriff’s Association for over forty years and volunteer at Skene Manor.

What are some of the things you like to do as hobbies in your spare time?

In my spare time, I especially enjoy outdoor activities. I like to hike, play golf and work on my garden.

As a prospective Town official, what do you consider your greatest strengths?

I feel my greatest strengths are my communication skills, conscientious attitude and honesty. I believe I could do a good job as a town council member and would appreciate your vote.

Sincerely Yours,
Carl E. Sobeck

Editor’s note: I would like to thank Mr. Sobeck for his responses. Interview questions and answers are published in the order in which they are received.

Mrs. Helen Marie Sunkenberg is a candidate for Dresden Town Justice.

Many positions are being contested locally in the town-wide elections to be held in November. Today, I post my first candidate interview with Helen Marie Sunkenberg, the Democratic nominee for Dresden Town Justice. While voters play a critical role in deciding who should be judges, judicial candidates are limited in discussing certain subjects and cannot state how they would rule in specific cases. Below are my questions and Mrs. Sunkenberg’s responses.

Can you explain what the Town Justice does?

The Town Justice is responsible for handling misdemeanor cases within the town of Dresden such as traffic and game law infractions, small claims (generally up to $3,000), and zoning and local code violations. Often attorneys are not required. The Justice has the option of performing civil ceremonies. This court will act in Family Court cases when the family court is not in session. In cases involving domestic violence the judge is authorized to issue orders of protection. This court should be a low cost, simplified, and informal procedure for an individual to resolve disputes.

Could you tell us about yourself and your background?

I have had a residence in Dresden for 38 years and been a full time resident for 21 years. I attended Misericordia University graduating magna cum laude in Chemistry and Mathematics. I worked in Pharmaceutical Research until pursuing a Masters of Divinity Degree from New York Theological Seminary. I was ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served as pastor of churches in NJ and NY, the last church being Putnam Presbyterian Church. I also served as a Hospice Chaplain in NJ and NY states. I am married to John; we have a daughter living in Warwick NY and a son living in Dresden. My work and life experience has taught me patience and that justice must be infused with compassion, which demands the well being of all concerned.

Who is responsible for the Town Justices Budget and could the costs of judicial administration be lowered?

The Town Supervisor determines the Town Justice’s budget which is contingent on approval by the town board.

As a prospective Town Justice, what do you consider your greatest strengths?

I am knowledgeable about the law and willing to undertake in depth research when necessary in order to be clear and cogent in making sound decisions. As a pastor I have experience in mediation and counseling which required being fair, open-minded, and a good listener. I communicate well and ask questions when required to get to the heart of the issue. Because of my leadership experience in having been moderator of multi-state Synod meetings and pastor of churches I am patient, yet firm in handing a situation without bias.

Editor’s note: I would like to thank Mrs. Sunkenberg for her responses. Interview questions and answers are published in the order in which they are received.

So you’ve heard that the Huletts Landing Post Office is officially on the POSTPlan. This is the plan that cuts hours at rural post offices. It has been proposed that the Huletts Post Office have it’s hours cut from 8 hrs per day to 4 hrs per day. You think that’s the end of the matter. WRONG. The US Postal Service has been eliminating small rural Post Offices on the POSTPlan. This is how. Cutting the hours is but one option, all other options will lead to the closing of the Post Office. Over the next 24 months, the Postal Service will mail a letter, customer survey and the date of a community meeting to customers of post offices on the POSTPlan. USPS will provide four options for POSTPlan post offices. Choose the option for “realigned hours” in the USPS customer survey. Return it immediately to USPS. Any of the other three options will mean closure of the post office. That’s right! If any of the other three options are chosen, USPS will close the Post Office and announce that that was the preferred choice of the community.

Examples of this letter and survey can be found here.

USPS will tally the survey results and tell the fate of the post office at the community meeting.

The new realigned hours will go into effect 30 days after the community is notified of the fate of the post office, ONLY if that is the preferred option by those voting.

The Postal Service will be notifying postal customers over then next 24 months; however it is important to be ready. ONLY the Option for Realigned Hours will keep the post office open!

Realigned hours means postal service hours will be reduced to two, four, or six hours.

This message will repeat over the next two years until this letter and survey is mailed.

Please look at the draft letter and survey so you are prepared to help.

Things have definitely quieted down since Labor Day but in an effort to keep you informed though, I have been working on personalized questionnaires to all the candidates running for town-wide office in the November election.

I get emails and comments all the time of those wanting more “news,” simply put though, there are periods of the year that just get slower. We’re entering one of those cycles now.

However, I will present the candidates answers once I hear back from them. I’m also working on some additional features and if you have “news” you would like to share, please let me know.

I’ve also had a new phenomenon happen in the last couple of years, where people will approach me, tell me something and then say, “Please don’t put this on your blog.” Which I always honor, and I do appreciate, but in the end defeats the point of telling me the news to begin with.

So hopefully you are enjoying your post Labor Day enjoyments and keep checking the site often.

Thursday, August 29th

Acoustic Musicians – P.J. Ferguson & Zack Plude
Casino
9:00 PM

Saturday, August 31st

Corn-husking / Children’s Events
Golf Course
9:00 AM

HLPOCA Picnic
HLPOCA Private Beach
Noon – 6:00 PM

Talent Show
Casino
8:00 PM

These are the events I know of at this time. If I’m missing something, please let me know.

The Friends of Historic Huletts Landing (FHHL) are sponsoring their annual art auction on Saturday, August 17th. Come out and bid on some great artwork and support the work of the “Friends.”