2011 Patch Elections: District 16 County Legislator

Patch has asked your candidates a set of questions. Check back each day for their answers. This week, we're looking at county candidates and next week we'll look at town candidates. Today, we look at District 16 in the Rockland County Legislature, which includes parts of Pearl River, Orangeburg, Tappan and Blauvelt. The rest of Pearl River is in District 16, where Republican Patrick Moroney is running unopposed.

Party Lines

Murphy: Republican, Conservative, Independence

Tozer: Democratic

Wiley: Common Sense

What community do you live in?

Murphy: Orangeburg

Tozer: Tappan

Wiley: Pearl River

How long have you lived there?

Murphy: Since 1961

Tozer: Since 1951  

Wiley: Over 35 years

How old are you?

Murphy: 76

Tozer: The candidate did not reply

Wiley 38

Provide family information. 

Murphy: Married to Eileen Murphy. Sons Christopher and Matthew. Daughter Jennifer. Five grandchildren.

Tozer: Four children, five grandchildren, five great-grandhcildren

Wiley: Did not reply

What is your education background? 

Murphy: B.E.E. from Manhattan College

Tozer: BS from Bowdoin College, MA from Columbia University.

Wiley: Baruch College, NYU, Lehman College

Why do you think you are qualified for this position?

Murphy: It all ties together. My role in government, my view of government, is that it exists as a safety net for people who desperately need help. You don’t need ogovenrment ot govern the rich and the powerful. They can take care of themselves.

The difference is I’ve learned how desperate some lives are. When do something and then people come to you for help, I believe so many people lead lives of quiet desperation. God gifted me with good health and good fortune, so I am in a position to help.

Tozer: Have lived and worked in several countries and am a good judge of character.

Wiley: I am well versed in the budget and local politics.

Why are you running for this elected office?

Murphy: What keeps me going I love what I do. It’s a love affair for me. I love the ability to help the helpless.

Tozer: No other Democrat offered to do so.

Wiley: Orangetown representation has diminished significantly over the past 40 years. We are 4th highest taxed County in the US. Why should Mr. Murphy not be held accountable for his record on the Budget and finance committee?  

What are the three issues that most concern you? 

Murphy: The first issue is the financial status of the county. The second issue is when we resolve of that, not to eliminate all of the programs that I built over the years. The third issue is to restructure county government. We have to restructure it.

Tozer: Most concerned about the environment, drugs, and taxes.

Wiley: Taxes, Orangetown should be paid a hosting fee for the County Sewer Plant like Ramapo receives for the transfer station, Creating a business friendly environment.  

Explain your proposed approach to managing these issues.

Murphy: I think we can save a lot of money by consolidating. We have already consildated one third of our department. I believe we can consolidate another third. Then we can really trim the management, which is expensive.

We have to start sharing services with the other tax units in the county. We have to share services with towns and schools.

Tozer: Better communication among legislature, county executive, town governments.

Wiley: Our county government needs to provide minimal level of service. Our town governments and school districts can work together on reducing redundancies. We must work with our unions and treat our workers with respect and civility. County government department heads must look for ways to improve working conditions and at the same time reduce our expenses. Laws that have been passed should be reviewed to see if they are effective and what are the costs for implementing the laws on both the government and businesses. We can attract and retain businesses by reducing taxes and the cost of doing business here in Rockland County.

Have you held elected office before? Please provide details of what position and for how long.

Tozer: No elected office but Deputy Supervisor of Orange town for 14 years.

Murphy: (Has held the District 16 seat in the county legislature for 40 years) I never wanted to be anthing else. I’ve turned down opportunities to run. I never wanted to leave. The county is the health provider and I’m a health guy.

Wiley: No. Voters ahve a choice to continue with the same politician or elect a leader.

What organizations do you belong to?

Murphy: President of Camp Venture, President of Homes for Heroes. President of Loeb House, President of the Rockland Psychiatric Center Board of Visitors, President of Petition For Paula, Member of the Rockland Detachment - United States Marine Corps League, Member of the New York Commission On Quality Of Care and Advocacy For Persons With Disabilities Surrogate Decision-Making Committee

Tozer: Board of Hickory Hill Cooperative, Orangetown Democratic Committee, Orangetown Environmental Committee.

Wiley: Did not provide organizations.