Port Jervis First Ward Common Council Candidate Alex Ginella, Democrat
1. What circumstance prompted your interest in running for a seat on the Common Council? Please be specific.
I am inspired by community-minded people who work so hard to make our city better. We, as citizens, deserve a safe, strong and sustainable community. I believe our local officials should constantly be working to ensure that for their citizens. I have worked hard with the organizations I’m part of, on events, fundraisers, and trailwork. I’ve personally started projects, like our community gift card program and our new Sister City relationship with Lapio, Italy. I am an active volunteer in Port Jervis and a community-builder and I want to further help improve the quality of life in Port Jervis.
2. What experience and/or education prepares you for the position? Please be specific.
I am a board member of five local organizations and have spearheaded fundraisers for them and the fire department. I volunteered with the disc golf club, designed and built hiking trails, created the Watershed guide, and a city Visitor's Guide. I created SupportJervis to foster a sense of community during the pandemic and to support local businesses. I founded Port Jervisians for Progress, to engage citizens and community leaders to share ideas and galvanize support for various initiatives. I have created events, like the upcoming Family Game Day. I'm currently in a Master Community Builder Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension.
3. What would you like to change in Port Jervis if elected? Why? How would you go about it? Please be specific.
Communication between the city government and Port Jervisians needs to be improved. I would also like to see a long-term plan for sustainable economic development to provide more jobs, services, products and community spaces for our citizens. I believe there are measures we can take to protect our businesses, like the adoption of Formula Retail restrictions and measures to create more opportunities for local entrepreneurs. More needs to be done to improve quality of life issues in Port Jervis, including improving public safety, access to mental health and substance abuse services, and improving existing parks and other city-owned parcels.
4. What would you like to accomplish if elected? How would you go about it? Please be specific
I would like to find more revenue streams for the city that don’t adversely affect our property taxes. The $5 non-resident West End Beach fee on weekends and the 3% city bed tax for hotels are good examples. I would like our council to do more for the youth in our community, whether through the DRI project in Riverside Park, additional youth programs, or more playground equipment and other facilities in our neighborhood parks. I’d like to have the city work closely with the Orange County government to create and expand partnerships and provide citizens better access to services.
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