The Problem
Development in the Town of Newburgh too often benefits developers and insiders while leaving working families and longtime residents behind. Housing costs rise, neighborhoods change, and open spaces disappear - all while the people most affected have little say in the process. Seniors on fixed incomes worry about staying in their homes. Young families wonder if they can afford to stay in the community where they grew up.
Stephen's Plan
Demand balanced development. Every proposed project should be evaluated on what it does for the community - not just what it does for the developer. Stephen will push for development agreements that include real benefits for residents, not just tax breaks for builders.
Help working families and seniors stay in their homes. Stephen will explore every available tool - from tax relief programs to housing rehabilitation grants - to make sure longtime residents aren't priced out of their own neighborhoods.
Preserve open spaces. Parks, green corridors, and natural areas aren't luxuries. They're part of what makes Newburgh worth living in. Stephen will fight to protect them from unchecked development.
Support local businesses. The shops, restaurants, and service providers that make up the backbone of our local economy deserve a town government that works with them - not one that buries them in red tape or ignores them in favor of big-box chains.
Why It Matters
As the father of three daughters and husband to a hospital nurse, Stephen understands the squeeze that working families face. He's not watching from the sidelines - he's living it. He'll bring that perspective to every land use decision, every zoning discussion, and every budget line that affects the quality of life in our neighborhoods.