“Monroe Needs to Control their Own Destiny”

MONROE – In light of the proposed incorporation of the new Town of Palm Tree, Orange County needs its elected officials to assume stronger public leadership.  As a candidate for Orange County Executive, and a citizen of the Town of Monroe, Patrick Davis urges the County Legislature to give the residents of Monroe the opportunity to be in control of their own destiny.

“Our past has been marked by insults, hate, and distrust.  By misinformation, fake news, and rumors.  By elected leaders looking the other way and making backroom deals in exchange for votes.  By candidates with promising futures in service cut short for taking a stand.”
Right now Davis agrees that we are standing at a critical juncture in our community’s history.

“I live in Monroe, and just like my wife and I love our two boys and want them to grow up in this community and go to public school at Monroe-Woodbury, our neighbors in Kiryas Joel love their children and want to see them grow up following the traditions of their religion and community. To imply or think otherwise is unacceptable and robs us all of our dignity.”

That said, if approved, Davis understands that the creation of the new town is by no means a perfect or complete solution.  Approval of this measure will result in years of continued negotiations, which he states must not happen behind closed doors. Leaders need to step up to help resolve outstanding issues between Orange County, Town of Monroe, Village of Kiryas Joel, and every impacted municipality.  In this process, elected officials from neighboring communities impacted by the new Town must have a seat at the table so they can represent the interests of their constituencies.

“That’s how our democracy works. And, regardless of whether or not the County Legislature and Monroe voters pass the measure to create the Town of Palm Tree, I see an opportunity for the County Executive to exercise forward-looking leadership on this issue by creating a commission and working groups, in which elected officials, community leaders, and independent experts come together to plan for our shared future.”

At the public hearing on August 15th, Davis urged the Orange County Legislature to give the Town of Monroe the opportunity to be in control of their own destiny by allowing the new proposal to be included in a referendum on November 7th.