Bio Issues Running Mates Endorsements Volunteer Donate   View Dagan's Blog     Issues           Revitalizing Suffern’s Downtown Dagan LaCorte’s leadership is bringing downtown Suffern back to life.  Battered by megamalls and sales tax breaks in New Jersey, Suffern’s downtown lost some luster.  Dagan is implementing long-stalled recommendations to strengthen our business district, bringing sensible residential re-development to Orange Avenue that preserves its historic charm.  As Village Trustee, Dagan is the liaison to the Chamber of Commerce and initiated the removal of punitive parking regulations that choke the downtown economy.   Dagan is a longtime chamber member.  As Mayor and Trustees, Dagan, Trish Abato and Bruce Simon will secure federal and state assistance to further beautify this historic commercial corridor.  Putting Suffern First The LaCorte Team always puts Suffern first, championing our village’s independence from town and county politics.  They oppose an outside developer’s attempts to manipulate flood remediation for Squire’s Gate in exchange for massive development that will make drainage worse for the entire village.  Dagan also opposed selling Suffern’s precious water supply to United Water.   Dagan, Trish and Bruce will stand up to the political bosses and do what is right for the people of Suffern. Keeping Suffern Safe As our Trustee, Dagan created Operation Safe Roads in partnership with the Suffern Police Department.  Operation Safe Roads lowered speed limits on residential streets, improved signs throughout the Village and implemented a sensible commercial vehicle enforcement policy.  Dagan, Trish and Bruce will create a citizen Traffic Safety Task Force to identify problems for pedestrians and motorists and develop an infrastructure master plan to improve traffic circulation, enhance safety for walkers and bikers and improve transportation options for seniors. Making Suffern Affordable Dagan and Stacy are raising their young family in Suffern and Dagan understands the economic strain facing our families.  Dagan will maximize Suffern’s resources as a full-service village while holding the line on oppressive property taxes.  As Mayor, Dagan will no longer allow Suffern to be shortchanged when it comes to federal and state aid.  As Trustee, his initiative to hire a grant writer has already brought thousands to Suffern, relieving the burden on taxpayers.   Dagan, Trish and Bruce will make sure that the village is focused on state and federal grant trends in order to insure that Suffern gets at least its fair share. Opposing Suffern Overdevelopment Dagan, Trish and Bruce are Suffern’s strong voices against overdevelopment.  Overdevelopment, particularly in the absence of infrastructure improvements, will increase traffic, threaten air and water quality and undermine our quality of life.  Dagan’s record opposing overdevelopment is strong and consistent.  Dagan and his running-mates oppose the “Quarry City” proposed for the former Tilcon property.  They also opposed residential development in the Memorial Drive floodplain.  Dagan is currently working to preserve the character of the Buena Vista neighborhood with sensible planning.  Dagan also promoted a non-political, professional Planning Board, recommending engineers and architects to replace political appointees.  If elected, Dagan, Trish and Bruce will continue to use merit selection, not political recommendations, for village boards and commissions. Planning for Suffern’s Future The Lacorte Team recognizes that Suffern is at the crossroads of major changes in our region.  The proposed Tappan Zee Bridge light rail, improvements to the New Jersey Transit corridor, increased traffic to Stewart Airport and decreasing state and federal aid to municipalities present sustained challenges.  Silence and business as usual politics is not an option in this time of change.  As Mayor, Dagan will draw on the immense intellectual and experiential resources of Suffern residents to study how these changes will impact us for the long term.   If elected, Trish and Bruce will lead a Suffern 2025 Task Force to analyze how these developments will affect Suffern, identify opportunities for inter-municipal partnerships and set quality of life goals for our community.   © 2009 Dagan LaCorte, all rights reserved.