PAT GRATTAN

I don’t believe that partisan politics is the answer. I’ve served with Democrats, Conservatives, and people who are not enrolled in any political party. I can work with everyone regardless of their political affiliation. I will listen to people, and, if they disagree with me, I’m willing to rethink my ideas.

Three major issues confront the Town of Kinderhook and the County of Columbia. They are as follows:

1. Providing municipal services in a cost-effective manner. The public is increasingly burdened by property taxes that rise as do municipal expenses. Many times these expenses are state-mandated, for example contributions to the NY State Retirement System. Other times the expenses are as a result of economic conditions, such as the rising cost of health insurance benefits. I believe that we need to account for every penny that is spent for town services: note the actual expense for each department and each facility and determine if there is a more cost-effective manner for providing a service or utilizing a facility. The concept of sharing services and expenses with other municipalities has been underutilized. For example, several towns or villages could agree to bid health insurance coverage by a municipal cooperation agreement that will provide savings to all the towns and villages.   Municipal cooperation does not necessarily mean the loss of jobs or an unwanted intrusion into another municipality’s jurisdiction.
2. It is no secret that Medicaid costs are soaring and have the largest impact on the County’s budget. This cost is uncontrollable and will only increase as our population ages. It is time that the County begins to encourage the use of home-based services to keep the elderly at home, in a familiar environment, for as long as possible. A recent survey made by AARP has determined that 90 percent of the elderly wish to remain in their homes and live independently for as long as possible. There are many programs, such as the Lombardi program, that offer at-home care without regard to assets. The County needs to make people aware of these programs and to participate in New York Connects—a local information and assistance system that will provide consumers with all the information they need when making health-care decisions for the aging. NY Connects needs to be used to assist the patient and caregiver in determining which program fits the patient as opposed to making the patient fit the program. The County needs to establish a Local Long-Term Care Council to represent the consumers, providers, and local government to identify needs and eliminate the unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer dollars. Such a system will prevent or delay placement in nursing homes, taxpayers will be spared the cost of premature and expensive institutional care and the independence and dignity of the elderly will be honored.
3. Both the Town and County  need to promote the location of small business within the Town and County  There are many small and family-owned businesses that provide goods and services to the people of the County. We need to encourage the location of these quality businesses and  promote them. The public relies on small businesses since the owners of those businesses are accessible and accountable and rely on building a good business by having a good reputation. This is a win-win for everyone by bringing sales tax dollars into the County and Town, by providing goods and services and creating local employment.

I served as Mayor of the Village of Valatie for six years. During that time, Valatie Woods was constructed, providing 32 decent, safe, and affordable apartments for our seniors. While I was Mayor, the Valatie Medical Arts was opened, bringing primary medical care, 17 specialists, and a dentist. This health care facility also has 50 professional employment positions. Thousands of people have utilized the facility, eliminating the need to travel to Albany or Hudson for medical care. While I was Mayor, the Village of Valatie merged with the Town Highway Department, eliminating an expenditure of $115,000.00 per year from the Village budget and reducing the tax rate dramatically.

I’d like to continue to work for the people of the Town of Kinderhook and County as town supervisor.