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WHAT WE BELIEVE: Bloomfield needs better leadership. The Town Council is entrenched; the same people run again and again regardless of skill, intellectual curiosity or vision. Council members often don’t do their homework. Issues get decided behind the scenes without requests for public comment. There are no guidelines for tax abatements and developments. (Because of our involvement, the Town has finally prepared a draft tax abatement policy for public consideration.) Recommendations of hired consultants are often ignored. WHAT WE WANT: a. A Town Council that promotes increased democracy, and transparency in government. See Niagara Bottling b. Town leaders that solicit and respond to citizen input. Town Council should also provide an open exchange of ideas and opinions during its meetings before key decisions that affect our taxes are made. c. A Town Council that works hard to build a better community by bringing neighborhoods and and people together. d. A Town Council that does not give tax abatements without a clear policy and a public hearing. Priority should be given to businesses that bring good jobs and that employ Bloomfield residents and contractors. e. A Town Council that requires cost-benefit analyses, environmental reviews, demographic studies and architectural plans for projects (like Niagara or a new senior center) BEFORE they are approved. f. A Town Council that conserves agricultural land and promotes “rural character” valued by residents. g. A Town Council that improves the pedestrian access to the town center (sidewalks please) and implements plans to connect bike and walking trails to the East Coast Greenway. h. Town leaders that promote volunteerism and involvement from all parts of the community. i. A Town Council that uses public projects as an incentive to encourage private investment that meet town goals. j. A Town Council that pays attention to the 2012 Bloomfield Comprehensive Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD) prepared with citizen input and approved by the town. This is the only stated vision for Bloomfield and decisions should be made in concert with this plan unless it is publicly modified. k. A Town Council and administration that is proactive in soliciting the best possible development solutions for our town and commercial corridors in keeping with town's planned vision. |
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