By Dan Miner<br><a href="mailto:minerd@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Dan</a>
Niagara Gazette
June 13, 2008 07:24 pm
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David Baird, 56, certainly had an eventful campaign for election to the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees. Baird, a member of the Lewiston Republican Committee, surprised nearly everyone when he won the nomination at the village Republican caucus and later was nominated as a Democrat as well, only to drop the Republican line out of concern for everyone getting a fair shot.
Come Tuesday, he and three other candidates will get that shot. The election is from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Red Brick School gym. The seats carry four-year terms.
QUESTION: What do you consider the village’s biggest challenge and how do you plan to address it?
ANSWER: The Village of Lewiston’s biggest challenge is responsible and orderly growth. As new projects and proposals come about they must be considered carefully and move ahead only when their positive impact on the village is shown.
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Q: How do you plan to balance commercial and residential interests in the village?
A: Commercial and residential interests can be maintained but it is not an easy task. Responsible business development is one of the keys to striking this balance. Open government, where all residents know what is going on, and not just a few who are financially involved, is another way of reaching this balance between business and residential interest. Lastly, each new project must be judged on its own merit by an independent Board of Trustees.
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Q: The Frontier House project has gained a lot of publicity and met with some criticism. Where do you stand on the proposal by developer Richard Hastings and how important is the project?
A: Preservation of the historic Frontier House is extremely important. However, whatever project is selected to serve this landmark must also maintain the historic quality and grandeur of the site. The current proposal of 27 condominiums and an additional restaurant appears to be extremely overbearing for this precious site.
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Q: What is your vision for the village’s future?
A: A village where neighbors still know one another; a village where a resident can go to the car repair shop, the coffee shop, the book shop or the bank and be known by name. This is what makes the village “the village.” Also a safe and secure village. As other areas of Western New York are over-ridden with crime and blight we must be sure that in Lewiston’s future crime is minimal and residents can travel about the village feeling safe.
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Q: If elected, what kind of trustee would you be?
A: It can be described in two words: Involved and accessible. Involved in that I would be certain to attend all meetings and work sessions. Also to do my own independent research on proposals coming in front of the Village Board (of Trustees).
Accessible in that my phone number is listed in the book and any resident would be able to call me to voice an opinion. I am also around the village each day and any resident could stop me at anytime to discuss what is on their mind.
IF YOU GO
• WHAT: Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees election
• WHEN: Noon to 9 a.m. Tuesday
• WHERE: Red Brick School gym, Fourth Street
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Photos
David Baird Niagara Gazette