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I would like to call your attention to a village election to be held on Tuesday, March 21, and to announce I will be running for re-election for Village of Pomona Trustee along with trustee candidate Robert Klein of 63 Halley Drive.
As you may know, I have served the village as a trustee for the past 20 years, and during that time I have been active in many aspects and functions of the village, from budget committees, planning issues, capital improvements to our buildings and parks, cultural events, and served as deputy mayor for periods under former Mayor Sanderson and present Mayor Brett Yagel.
As your trustee for the past 20 years, I remain committed to doing what is best for the village and remain the only independent thinker on the Board of Trustees who is not afraid to go to bat for much needed changes and improvements including a resolution to litigation which has raised taxes threefold, lowering the budgets by cutting out fat, giving residents honest answers to their questions, replacing the code enforcement officer who's position has been vacant for 20 months, resisting unnecessary new legislation proposed by the mayor such as snow plow contractor licensing and garage use restrictions, etc.
I also want the residents to know that the Tartakov lawsuit is going to trial beginning in approximately April of this year. Although no one knows the outcome of this trial, it is possible the village will lose and, according to a "Journal News" article published last year, if we lose, we could be saddled with a $4 million judgment against the village to pay the other side's legal costs. The same article notes that due in part to Yagel's involvement with a destruction of evidence issue, the village was sanctioned $43,000 in 2016. The larger case is before the same judge.
It has become crystal clear to all of us that new leadership capable of getting things done is needed in the village. Among the many issues facing us, strong leadership is required to act to address ever increasing budgets, spiraling tax rate hikes, lack of paved roads in certain areas, continued control and defense of our rural, residential environment, renewed direction for existing institutions like our Cultural Center, restoration of the newsletter, better communication with residents, improved management of our office and staff, and, above all, treating residents, staff and the public fairly, openly and honestly.
Please vote for Ian Banks and Robert Klein.
Ian Banks
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