Dillard runs for city government

Dear citizen of Newburgh:

With a possible projected budget deficit of five million dollars, the City of Newburgh will be confronted with some critical issues come 2010. Compound this projected budget deficit with the lost of 1.4 million dollars in CDBG funds and the increasing lawsuits, Newburgh will be tested.

A community must have confidence in its law enforcement agency. Without this confidence the Newburgh community will continue to erode. According to an article in the Times Herald Record dated May 21, 2009, "any case involving the City of Newburgh investigating Narcotics and money should be closely scrutinized because the money is missing", Attorney Dave Hoovler said. Police administration admitted in February that more than $17,000 seized in a 2008 drug raid had been missing for six months. Two weeks later the administration revealed that they were looking for another $18,000 seized in a 2007 raid. This leans the appearance of mismanagement or corruption. The citizens of Newburgh deserve better. I believe 98% of our law enforcement officers are dedicated, honest, and operate by the rule of law. It is that 2% that concerns me. Take for example a bag of apples; if one is spoiled and left to ferment it will destroy the entire bag. I propose an outside law enforcement agency be called in to investigate this issue.

When it comes to the peoples business no one can buy me, I am not for sale. For years the citizens of Newburgh have whispered about the antic of pay to play within the walls of city hall, and the employing of friends and family instead of using the fair hiring practices. This must stop, that is why I am running for city council and I can’t be brought. As President Barack Obama states in his book the Audacity of Hope, I too understand the skepticism of politics, but there was and always has been another tradition to politics, a tradition that stretched from the days of the country’s founding of the civil rights movement, a tradition based on the simple idea that we have a stake in one another, and that what binds us together is greater than what drives us apart, and that if enough people believe in the truth of the proposition and act on it, then we might not solve every problem, but we can get something meaningful done.

I have an excellent knowledge of the workforce development programs, policy procedures, environment and personal factors which have influenced families and individuals. My prior work history as a community partner allowed me to work with community based organizations, private businesses, and faith base community within Orange County. I am dedicated to empowering people while providing a career training path to self sufficiency. I am accustomed to a fast pace environment where deadlines are priorities and handling jobs simultaneously is the norm. I enjoy challenges and work to attain goals and to take pride in being a team player. I am certain my work ethics and the foundation established through family and community involvement can easily be transferred to this task. I hope to have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the city while promoting a better quality of life for the citizens of Newburgh, NY. Based on these concerns I have decided to run for city government.