Sign up for aBrian Kimbiz, Village Board write-in candidate, 2009
The New Paltz Green Party is currently in the process of interviewing candidates for local elections. We will be posting the completed candidate questionnaires on this site as we receive them from candidates.
Here are Brian Kimbiz's responses to our Candidate's Questionnaire. Brian is running a write-in campaign for Village Board.
Why are you running?
There are many reasons that I am running for Village Trustee. However I would say the largest reason is the ability to give back to the community that has been so great to me for the last few years.
I really feel compelled to do this because of the apathy some have in making a positive change in the place they live. It is the same reason I got involved in the Student Association Senate, I realized there were things on campus worth fighting for and that not everyone is always willing to fight.
What are the goals of your campaign?
The goals of my campaign are wide spread. What I want to do is make sure that there is voice for my ideals. I am pro-peace, pro-environment, pro-social justice/ human rights, and VERY pro-education. I also feel very strongly in the idea that the closer knit a community the more powerful their voice. I feel like many times people get caught up in political affiliations that they loose sight of the real issue at hand. Therefore I would have to say my largest agenda is to bring the community even closer together to make sure we can keep New Paltz the place that I love so much.
Do you foresee any conflict of interest between the office you are seeking and any current position, paid or unpaid? If so, how would you handle this conflict? Please explain.
Along the line of conflicts with my position I can honestly say I see none. I think this is another reason I can make a great Village Trustee. I have no other obligations, other than a job, which means I can invest a lot of time in working on problems and being active in making a change. I can honestly say that if given this position I will be able to spend more time working for this community than either of the other candidates.
What resources are available to you, both financially and otherwise, to fund your campaign? Will your campaign accept contributions from corporate entities, PAC's, etc.?
My campaign will not be funded by anyone. I want my campaign to be word of mouth or by people speaking to me in person. I am confident that in meeting me most residents of the Village will see I am working in their best interest. Additionally I might add I worked on campus as the coordinator of the New Paltz chapter of Democracy Matters, a group dedicated to keeping money out of politics through the public finance system for office. I seriously cannot stand the thought of taking money from a business and having to owe them something in return. This notion can actually go back to the question of why I am running for office, and that is because I hate the fact that money has more of an influence on the politics than the good of the people. I personally have very little ambition in the way of material success in life because I really feel a fancy car or nice clothes will never make a person happy.
What other political party lines are you seeking and why? What endorsements are you actively seeking?
I have not attempted to seek any endorsement or other political party lines. I feel that if people agree with my beliefs that should be enough, I do not need political affiliation behind me.
How much time are you personally willing/planning to spend on your campaign?
Like I said previously if I were given this position it would make up a large part of my time. I’d like to use many resources such as social media, phone, email, and whatever else to make myself as accessable to the public as possible and because of all my free time, I will be more able to act on every issue effecting this community. I can honestly say this would be my top priority.
Are any members of your staff paid?
I do not have staff other than my campaign manager and my friends, and my campaign manager is one of my best friends. I do not pay them in anything other than my appreciation.
Have you ever attended a Green Party Meeting?
I have never attended a meeting of the Green Party, however, I have visited the Green website on more than one occasion before accepting my nomination for office.
Once elected, how often will you meet with the Green Party, and what role will the Green Party have in your administration? Please be specific.
If elected I want everyone to have access to me at all times. So, if the Green Party needs me once a week they can have me, and further they can call me, email me, talk to me online, or chat with me. My job would be to serve the Village.
Do you disagree with any of the Green Party Ten Key Values
I agree with all of the Green Party values, and can honestly say that even thought I am not officially a Green I hold those same values to be my own.
Ecological Responsibility:
I believe ecological responsablitiy is of the upmost importance and supercedes any private financial interests that might come about. I believe that there are many ways that we cannot only strive for ecological responsibility while also gaining financial benefits from these practices. Example: I read the Village was looking into waste public waste disposal, but that is very costly and horrible for the planet. A response I might have to this is something I saw on democracynow.org where a town out in Oregon has worked to have a compost trash pickup in order to reduce waste and benefit by having a great compost resource for our gardens.
Nonviolence:
Non-violence is an important issue for me. I have many friends in the military, a few of them have served multiple terms. It makes me sad. I feel that no matter what we should always work to talk things out rather than solve them with violence. I find it very hard to believe that killing is ever an answer to a problem. And further I feel that in most cases war starts over greed and I resent that very, very much.
Grassroots Democracy:
In my first two months at SUNY New Paltz I organized a protest for a student rights. I worked as the campus coordinator of a chapter of the grassroots organization Democracy Matters, and as I said previously the best way for the voice of the community to be heard if for them to be united past political boundaries and working for the greater good. Needless to say I am a strong advocate of grassroots democracy.
Social and Economic Justice:
Again I feel human, social, and economic justice are very important issues in politics. And as stated previously I hate when greed and money supersede the right for people to have a happy peaceful life. This is one of the main reasons I want to get into this position as well as politics or law down the road. Someone has to stop caring about monetary success and start caring about people’s rights. Additionally I am a student of economics and I see the issues concerning globalization and growing economic slavery around the world.
MAJOR ISSUES
As mentioned before I think working on ways to reduce our environmental impact, as a whole, is a large priority and major issue that is facing our community. New Paltz is luckily a very forward thinking community with the potential to stand as an ecological standard for others to follow. Additionally with the economy the way it is, it seems as if not only will working to be more ecologically beneficial for us with a nice place to live, but beneficial for our pockets as well. Green projects are getting a lot of federal funding from the stimulus package. That makes now the prime time to act.
I also feel like new development of homes and commerce is very important in and around the Village of New Paltz. The decisions that are made now have long term effects down the road. This means that any new additions to this town should go through the highest scrutiny before any decisions are made. I believe one of the greatest things about New Paltz is the size and membership of its citizens. Also housing situations concerning tenants, landlords, students, and most importantly home-owners need to be carefully considered. Housing conditions, zoning laws, taxes, health issues, among many other things needs mediated in order to create the best community for all of its members.
I did not ask for any political party for support, however I hope that in getting to know me it is easy to see that the Green Party values do very closely represent the way I feel about community, environment, and social issues among other things, far better than any other political party. I hope this summary gives the Green Party a glimpse as to who I am and what I represent. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak my voice. I also encourage anyone who has any questions for me to feel free to ask. I will always make time to talk and I very much look forward to getting to know you all better as we grow together as a community. Thank you again.
What is your position on Town and Village Unification?
At this moment I do not have a position on the unification of the Village and Town. I will have to better hear both sides of the issue.
If elected, would you work to stop the common practice of municipal vehicle idling?
Yes without a doubt.
Are you in favor of the Ban Pesticides in Ulster County initiative?
100% behind it.
Are you in favor of granting a PUD to the Crossroads project on Paradies Lane?
I feel crossroads has no place in New Paltz.
Are you in favor of a moratorium on building and subdividing until new zoning ordinances are passed following our soon to be up-dated Comprehensive Master Plan?
I believe any development in New Paltz now or in the future should given careful consideration before any decisions are made.
Will you support a wetlands law?
Yes, I believe we should do what we can to preserve nature.
Will you support and encourage the work of Town and Village clubs and boards?
Of course, civic participation is an essential role in effective democracy.
What steps will you take to improve current tenant/landlord relationships as well as the current housing situation in general?
I think I can be a great lesion between tenants/landlords. Being that I am a tenant I feel safe housing conditions are very important.
What will you do to ameliorate current traffic problems?
I am not sure but I believe either making more roads, or increasing flow on certain roads are both bad ideas.
Could you describe your fiscal philosophy?
I believe government should provide services that the community desires at the best price possible, however I also think high taxes are bad, so money must be effectively directed to the things that serve the community best.
What will you do to improve the relationships between SUNY and municipal governments?
I am again a perfect liaison between the two. I would be coming from the SUNY (working as Senate Vice-Chair) to the other.
What concrete steps do you plan to take to increase transparency in your office and make it easier for the public to participate in the governing process?
I want to use the Internet as a huge resource in staying connected to me. I think this can be so beneficial as it makes access to me almost instant. My email goes straight to my phone. Aside from that I plan to have a web forum where the public can see my day-to-day work for them and even respond. I think my tech savvy can have a large influence on getting very close to me.
Will you appoint members of the Planning Board who have a track record of ecologically minded policy making and environmentalism in general?
Yes without a doubt.
Describe what kind of person you think would make an ideal appointee for the planning board and why.
I think again someone who gives very careful thought into the decisions of new construction because these decision effect many aspects of the Village, environmentally, economically, and socially, for decades to come
Will you promise to do whatever you can, making code changes if necessary, and by directing the village employees and consultants, to facilitate access to data and the gathering of data on environmental impacts of developments in the village/town of New Paltz and to ensure the transmission of that information to the Environmental Conservation Commission/Environmental Conservation Board?
Agreed.