Dagan LaCorte for Mayor of Suffern
Suffern stands at a historic crossroads. Regional transportation changes and strained infrastructure demand bold leadership. My name is Dagan LaCorte and I am running for mayor to preserve Suffern’s historic charm and restore sound fiscal management to our village.
As owner of an Investment Advisory firm located in Suffern, graduate of Union College and New York University School of Law, I have the financial and legal expertise to manage village operations effectively. As a current Suffern Village Trustee and former Deputy Mayor, I have the experience required to guide Suffern into the future. As the father of two young children, I have a stake in the future of our village.
I understand that Suffern families face a crushing tax burden. That’s why my downtown revitalization plan to lift commercial property values and reduce the government’s dependence on residential property taxes is so important. Mayor Keegan opposes this plan. I eliminated burdensome parking taxes that discouraged retail businesses from opening in Suffern. As Mayor, I will renew the partnership between our residents and shop owners by encouraging pedestrian use of our historic village center.
As Deputy Mayor, I fought to stop tax hikes directed at condo and co-op owners, and have protected us from overdevelopment. I have expressed strong concern about the urbanization of the old Tilcon quarry, and opposed the mayor’s plans to build housing in the Memorial Drive flood plain. As Mayor, I’ll preserve Suffern, ensuring our community maintains its voice as an independent village.
Our village government is the first line of defense for our quality of life. I changed the snow removal rules in Bon Aire to assist residents, developed Operation Safe Roads with the Suffern Police Department to enforce commercial vehicle restrictions and lowered the speed limits in residential neighborhoods.
I also opposed Mayor Keegan’s punitive $5000 fines directed at Bon Aire and Stonegate owners, many of whom are senior citizens on a fixed income. As Mayor, I will seek federal and state funds to provide additional resources for our village. I will strengthen the village’s Code of Ethics to eliminate conflicts of interest.
I believe that we need to look at village government as a business. As mayor, I will examine all our village services to make sure we are providing services in a cost effective and efficient manner. I will meet regularly with village department heads, as this has not been the case under the current administration. I will cut wasteful spending and streamline our local budget.
I ask for your vote in the Democratic Primary on September 15th for me, Dagan Lacorte, for Mayor and for Trish Abato and Bruce Simon for Trustees. Please visit www.daganlacorte.com to learn more about our plans for the future of Suffern. With hard work and a shared commitment to doing what is right for our community, I have no doubt that Suffern’s best days are still to come.