BOVINA - There is a three-way race for two Bovina Town Council seats in the Nov. 7 general election.
Jillienne LaFever and Dominic Gullow are running on the Republican line. Penelope Brackett is running on the Democratic and Independent “Community” line.
To provide voters with information about candidates, The Reporter asked the following questions and candidates supplied the following answers:
Q: Why are you running for the position?
JL: My name is Jillienne LaFever and I am running for Bovina Town Council. Apart from my college years, I’ve lived in Bovina and served the Delaware County community for my entire life. In my work offering health and life insurance, along with guidance on Medicare plans, I’ve gotten to know and have helped a lot of the people in Bovina and across the county make some important insurance decisions. I’ve come to understand our community’s specific needs and concerns. I’m a parent, I own a home, and I own and operate a small business. I’m running for town council because I want all of our community members to continue to enjoy the high quality of living that’s made Bovina such an amazing place to live, work, and raise a family.
DG: Partially to better understand and educate myself as to how government works and to help maintain the town with the quiet and beautiful landscape that we all enjoy.
PB: I came to Bovina for the beauty, but I’m staying for the community, people willing to give your car a jump, share a bumper crop of squash, or post-storm internet access. In two short years, I’ve found so many opportunities to participate in the community - moderating a primary debate for congressional candidates, running the scarecrow contest for Bovina Farm Day, helping get out the vote as a Bovina representative of the Delaware County Democratic Committee, making black-eyed peas for the Bovina Historical Society crockpot cookoff and working with the Bovina Collaborative launching a folk art show and kids activities.
I jumped in with both feet because community is what makes a place a home. And you take care of your home. Running for council, I get to talk to more people about what’s important to them - everyday realities like restoring the playground with a shady place to chat and a reliable fence, repairing the sidewalks, paving the roads, and developing reliable cell service.
As a member of the council, I will find ways to bring people together, to get beyond our assumptions, to foster and fulfill our vision, and to make a great place even better. People around here value the beauty and the community and that’s something we all have in common - and that’s why I’m running for council.
Q: What are your top three priorities as council member?
JL: As a council member, maintaining our beautiful rural life is very important to me: I love our quiet, family-friendly community and the rural environment. I also believe it’s vital to support local businesses in that regard. Last, it’s crucial for us to focus on those ideals while keeping our taxes down and manageable.
DG: 1. To maintain the unique quaint character that is Bovina. 2. To maintain services that are needed by the constituents in this community while keeping the tax increases to a minimum. 3. To represent, to the best of my ability, the older generation in this community, after all many of them were instrumental in creating and maintaining the Bovina we all cherish.
PB: Communication and engagement: Finding ways to connect to our community and bring them into the process. That may include email updates, strengthening our website or community committees. The council has been working on a survey to kickoff the comprehensive plan. Once we have that, I’d love to keep the conversation going regarding targeted priorities. We have incredible expertise in this community and I want to tap into it. I also want to make sure we are representing the community, tapping into their vision. And while we’re talking communication, a cell tower is much needed. Important for remote workers, but also for older people working outside, or people traveling in inclement weather. It’s a matter of public safety.
Shared community environment: Cars speeding through our town has been a continual source of danger and frustration. The community helped bring about one great solution in the radar speed signs. Defining the community has also been known to help: better sidewalks, flower pots, flags. They also help support a walking community. Also our playground is a vital center of town. It’s important to find a beautiful, comprehensive and safe solution. The council has started this process and I’m looking forward to supporting the design and funding options.
Housing: Examining our current housing availability and needs is essential. Young people coming out of college and young families need a place to hang their hat. Short-term rentals (BnB) need to be reviewed. Right now they make up nearly a quarter of the housing. We can explore incentives, fees and regulations to make sure we maintain our community base. Also with an aging community, worth exploring development for Independent Living Communities, so people can stay in their Bovina community.
Q: How do you propose to contain spiraling budgets and spending?
JL: My experience owning and running an insurance company has given me the expertise to understand the realities of budgeting for the unavoidable needs life brings and the cost of managing them. With that clear-eyed view, I plan to review budget line items, identify overspending, and will seek alternative options alongside my fellow board members.
DG: Many things in the budget we haven’t much control of, insurance and energy costs are two that come to mind. By scrutinizing every line and comparing to previous years’ numbers we can get better and more accurate numbers as to where we realistically and responsibly need to be. So far, in the two years I have been on the board, we have been able to maintain our services and keep tax increases to a minimum.
PB: There are so many sources of funding that can be explored. There’s government funding in CHIPS and Infrastructure Acts and of course O’Connor’s great support. There are untapped sources. I have experience in grant research and writing. I was able to get $100K annually as a grant writer for the Paper Bag Players, and I’d like to tap into skills here. I also believe we have some real estate developers who would be great assets in exploring housing options.
Q: Why should voters vote for you?
JL: A vote for me is a vote to preserve Bovina’s stunning, natural beauty; it’s a vote for sound financial decisions that keep taxes in check; and it’s a vote to maintain the truly vibrant, family-friendly feel of our community. I believe my life experience here, along with my background in business and service, make me uniquely qualified to serve the town well. I look forward to working hard and listening hard to make sure all of our voices are heard.
DG: I have been a lifelong resident of Delaware County and have lived in Bovina, with my family, for 33 years. As a lifelong farmer, my knowledge of equipment and owning and operating our farm with my family I feel will help with guiding our community and in supporting the highway garage on which I am the board representative for.
PB: I care deeply for this community. I am eager to understand, represent and engage all the people who live in this community, whether they grew up in the city or country, their families here for 200 years or 2 years, Democrat, Republican or Independent. We need to hear from people who understand the history of this town and can preserve it as well as those who are new to this area and new perspectives. I will find ways to bring people together, to get beyond our assumptions, to foster and fulfill our vision, and to make a great place even better. People around here value the beauty and the community and that’s something we all have in common.
There are two town council seats to be filled in November’s general election. Early voting begins Oct. 28.
