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Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Maybrook mayor and two
trustees run unopposed
By RACHEL COLEMAN
Election Day in the village of
Maybrook will feature familiar faces this
year, as Mayor Dennis Leahy, Deputy
Mayor Noreen Reynolds and Village
Trustee Robert Pritchard run unopposed
for re-election.
“I still think there are things that need
to be done in the village of Maybrook,”
said Mayor Dennis Leahy.
Leahy is seeking his fifth term as
mayor. He said he has worked hard over
the last eight years, together with the
village board, to get the infrastructure
where it needs to be. With a new sewer
treatment plant, government center,
senior center and improvements to parks,
sewer lines and sidewalks, he said the village is primed for the next phase.
“The focus for the next two years will
be on economic development and pushing
it along by enhancing and strengthening
parts of the village through new development and businesses,” said Leahy.
Village Trustee Robert Pritchard, who
is looking for a fourth term, has been
working on economic development in the
village and is excited about their recent
progress.
“I want to finish what I started with
economic development,” said Pritchard.
“It’s a long process, unfortunately, but it’s
looking like we’re finally getting traction
with it.”
Pritchard is retired after 28 years with
the U.S. Air Force. He owns his own
business in property management, and
is a published author, his first book “The
Reluctant Landlord’s Guide to Profitable
Real Estate Property,” hitting shelves last
April.
As part of the push on economic development, Pritchard wants to “rebrand” the
village of Maybrook as a “recreation destination.” He pointed toward the growth
of village parks and sports teams through
the mayor’s efforts, the Stewart State
Forest on the village’s border, and the fact
that Route 208, which goes through the
heart of the village, is a state designated
bicycling route.
“My whole goal for economic development is just to get a few people to
stop, to pause as they are driving through
the village of Maybrook,” said Pritchard.
“Maybrook can be a lot more than what it
is now.”
Pritchard said the first step is rezoning the downtown area in a way that
takes into account the needs and wants
of everyone: the village, developers, residents and patrons. He hopes to gain
access across the railroad to the Stewart
State Forest, develop municipal parking,
and find solutions to stormwater treatment in the downtown area.
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