Rick Rasulo is one of the the two Republicans and one Democrat running for two seats opening on the Irvington Board of Trustees in March.

Rasulo was appointed to the board when now-Mayor Brian Smith left his seat to assume the more prestigious post. He has a long history with both the villages of Hastings, where he grew up, and Irvington where his children grew up. He has been especially involved with the Recreation Department. 

We asked him a number of questions regarding his candidacy. Below are his responses:

1) What previous experience (either on this board, other village boards or even unrelated) do you have that will lend itself to serving as an Irvington Trustee?

In addition to serving on the BOT for almost a year already, I also attended virtually every BOT Meeting two years prior to that. I also have served on many other Boards of Directors and have been charged with formulating budgets not just reviewing them to determine cost savings. This may be the single biggest task the BOT encounters. 

2) Which 2-3 issues facing the Village do you think are most important? Where do you stand on them? 

The Village's Budget. We need to manage the finances to assure a balance of lowest possible cost vs. the highest level of services. Another other major issue facing the Village is Property development. Mercy College, The Waterfront District, and the FEE Property are all issues of concern. There isn't enough time to discuss the issues or differences of all three in this article. 

3) Where do you stand on the waterfront and its development/zoning?

The WF Zoning issue needs to proceed as a Zoning issue. To try and over-legislate to every aspect of the development like historical significance or set asides for "future considerations" is unfair especially to an individual property owner. 

4) What's your best idea for revitalizing the downtown business district?

Aside from the economy improving to foster a natural revitalization I would have to say that we need to support the Irvington Business Improvement Committee, IBIC, and the Chamber of Commerce in their efforts to Revitalize the downtown area. 

5) What do you love most about Irvington? What needs the most improvement?

I love how the Community rallies behind one of it's own in times of crisis. We certainly have had our share of tragedies in Irvington. To see how we come to the aid of those in need is just an incredible sight to behold. (I know first hand.) 

6) Where do you stand on property value reassessment (either town-wide or county-wide)?

I'm unsure a simple reassessment done at the Town or County level will achieve the desired results. The State laws on how commercial properties are assessed is the real issue here. These are by and large the very people that have the most to lose. This is where the most vulnerable like Senior Citizens and young families live. 

7) What are your best ideas for keeping village property taxes manageable? 

To ensure that the Village is running at as lean a level as possible. We need to look to share our purchasing power with as many local Municipalities as possible. Like construction contracts, Paving contracts, Street Light bulb purchasing etc. 

8) What's something interesting about you that members of the community probably don't already know.

That it was I who put the O'Hara Foundation together with the Village to finalize the funding for the Nature Center. It really was a no-brainer. I was on the Board of the O'Hara Foundation and had been attending virtually every meeting of the Village Board of Trustee's and just put 2 + 2 together.