July 10, 2005

CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT: SUE SWANTON (FROM MCDC NEWSLETTER)

Sue Swanton, Candidate for Gates Town Supervisor and Gates Democratic Committee Leader, has been grabbing headlines recently as she leads a slate of hard- working dems promising change in the long-leaning Republican town of Gates.  First Tuesday spoke to Swanton recently to find out what she'll bring to Gates as its Supervisor and the secret to the success of the Gates Democratic Committee.

First Tuesday: What motivates you to want to run for office?
Sue Swanton: The Town of Gates can no longer afford the luxury of continuing with the current administration that has increasingly misused public tax money and driven the town deeply into debt... I see the disastrous track the town is taking and I am committed to restoring town government by improving town services with reduced tax investments and by planning and improving community development appropriate to the township that is aptly called the County Cornerstone.

FT: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing you in Gates?
SS: First, in order to get elected, the challenges are to awaken the attention of registered Democrats in the Town of Gates - we're now almost neck and neck with Republican enrollment after 40 years since the last Democratic leadership of the town in 1965. Secondly, once elected to office, my main challenges will be balancing the budget; rolling back salaries and eliminating perks for elected officials; and keeping our campaign pledges to restore fiscal responsibility, improve town services, open town government and update the 1974 Town Master Plan.

FT: You were recently honored at MCDC's Volunteer Recognition Dinner as Committee Leader of the Year and have been successful at building up the Gates Democratic Committee. How have you done it?
SS: The Gates Democratic Committee started March 2004 now has 45 members and is composed of former library contacts, old time Gates Democrats, residents dissatisfied with the present town administration and social justice activists. They know that elections are won by dedicated committees and they are hard at work to ensure we carry our message to the community. Plus we are blessed with an unusually talented group of committee members.