The supervisor candidates are Tim Follos (Democratic and Silent Majority) and Favor J. Smith (Honesty for Wilmington).

The town council candidates are Laura Dreissigacker Hooker (Honesty for Wilmington), incumbent Darin Forbes (Republican and Citizen’s Data Boy), incumbent Michelle Preston (Community First) and Forest “Randy” Winch (People’s).

Also, Devan Korn (Citizen’s Data Boy) and Alphonso Smith (Republican) are running unopposed for two assessor seats.

The Lake Placid News sent questionnaires to candidates running in the contested races. Below is the response for Laura Dreissigacker Hooker.

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Laura Dreissigacker Hooker

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Age: 43

Occupation: Registered nurse

Position sought: Town councilor

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Q: Why are you running for this position?

A: I was raised in Wilmington and now raise my own family here. I am very excited about the prospect of representing our town. I have attended most of the town board meetings over the past two years, and believe some things could have been handled differently. Reasonable, actionable concerns and suggestions could have been entertained, rather than dismissed. I have many ideas that I believe could improve your lives and our town.

I have the drive and the ambition to make this job everything it is meant to be.

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Q: What are your qualifications?

A: Other candidates will tell you that you deserve their years of experience, but I think our town would benefit from fresh outlooks and ideas on the board. I’m a member of Wilmington’s zoning and planning board.

I’m on several councils at Adirondack Health, where I have worked for 22 years.

I’m the chairperson of the Innovation and Technology Council, and I have helped write many policies and procedures.

I love to find ways to fix things.

I represent the everyday residents of our town.

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Q: What are your main goals?

A: – Advocate for the town and the townspeople in any way I can. I have a strong need to protect the town I have called home for almost 44 years.

– I have a passion for research and learning new things. I would look at data, numbers, trends, and successes and failures in other towns with similar challenges. I would apply that evidence to the problems and dilemmas we have in Wilmington when working toward solutions.

– I would work with the townspeople and businesses to see what they would prioritize as projects, initiatives and events in our town. We need to listen to those who live here. Polling the population and moving forward with things that they show interest in will attract more buy-in from the residents, therefore more success.

– To help support our community, I would like to make sure our elders have the things they need. I would try and inspire the youth to become involved in our EMS and highway services by collaborating with those departments and local schools. Hearing of the child care needs in the town, I would look into offering babysitting classes. I would like to initiate some community hobby groups (hiking, baking, reading, knitting, car enthusiasts, etc.) and hold monthly learning workshops on a variety of subjects.

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Q: What do you think are the three biggest problems in the town, and how do you propose solving them?

A: – Finding revenue and resources for the town is a complex topic. I admit that I have a lot to learn on the subject, but I will learn. I do think that making small adjustments to town spending can add up. Looking at grants for projects to help increase our energy efficiency as a town is one way to save money over time. As I have mentioned, we can charge higher fees for short-term rentals and building/demolition permits to add revenue. Finally, we need to make sure we utilize county occupancy funds to the maximum.

– Housing: Hotel-like structures are being built to house locals, while homes are being turned into STRs and used as hotels. Almost everyone who grew up here had a house with a yard for kids and pets to play in. People who want to live and work here full time deserve that same space of their own. While apartments and townhouses are valid solutions, I have some other ideas. I believe we can do things in our zoning code to encourage new home ownership in an expedited way. We should discuss altering the current 3-acre lot minimum for manufactured homes, and to ask for the allowance of tiny homes (under 500 square feet), while giving the zoning and planning board the ability to review designs and proposals. This would help construct new housing in a timely and more affordable way.

– There is a feeling among some that if we focus more on locals, rather than tourists and events, people will stop visiting. I disagree. If we have a fulfilled, happy, thriving community, we will be more appealing. There will be more volunteers and support for events. We will share what makes us special while simultaneously keeping our full-time residents satisfied. Tourists have always, and will always, come. They come to our town for the endless beauty, the fresh air and all of the activities to do in the area. The Essex County “occupancy tax revenue” can be used to pay for many things that would benefit locals and tourists alike. It can be used toward playground equipment and more beach amenities, floats, etc. Creating a dog park and having an all-season bathroom, enhancing our public trail system, adding new street crossing safety features, pedestrian walkways, as well as bike lanes in the main street region of town would be other uses for that money that would benefit everyone.

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Q: Other comments to voters?

A: The current administration and the incumbents had plenty of time to accomplish the things that they are currently campaigning for.

Many things they have mentioned as solutions to the problems could have been initiated a long time ago.

They could have taken action to deal with the short-term rental crisis, rather than enacting antiquated laws and issuing two-year permits. They could have increased the fee structure on those STRs and added to the town’s revenue. They consistently dismissed and discredited any information or suggestions offered to them.

They could have made changes to the salaries of our valued highway department employees prior to several people leaving.

They could have listened. They could have heard your pleas.

In the Lake Placid News/Adirondack Daily Enterprise article about the Oct. 17 town forum, it states, “Forbes said that ‘a little bit of give-and-take’ would help the community unite.”

The current administration has had years to listen, to have give and take and to help the community unite.

Now, a few weeks before an election, comes the promises and the platitudes.

Please put people on the board who don’t have to recuse themselves due to conflicts of interest. Put people on the board who can represent you without pushing or enhancing their own agendas, businesses or bank accounts, whether in a perceived or actual way.

I hope to have earned your vote. Now is the time for new blood, new ideas, new motivation, new action and new board members.

Please feel free to reach out to me at laurafortowncouncil@gmail.com or on Facebook