Question 2: Name one Verona ordinance or regulation that should be eliminated and why.
Christopher Piccuirro: I have great respect for everyone who has put so much time and effort throughout the years to make Verona what it is today. Most ordinances and regulations were put in place for safety or other quality-of-life concerns, for the betterment of the residents in town. Though there will always be a need to modernize our codes as the world evolves, my approach to this candidacy is not to undo the successes of the past.
My concern is with the Verona resident who believes there may be a code in place that is negatively impacting them and others, and the issue has neither been voiced or simply ignored and not dealt with due to leadership pushing their personal agenda. I want to be the liaison between the people who generally care for the well being of this town and our governing body.
As a town council member I will listen to the needs of all residents, voice them at the meetings, try to find common ground and facilitate our democratic process for change. This job requires an understanding that my priorities may differ from that of my neighbor. I believe it is these differences which allow Verona to remain a cohesive and intimate environment for families of all types and residents of all ages.
When I think about a regulation/ordinance change my instinct leans towards placing a spotlight on the poignant discussions and decisions brought to life at the town council meetings. Visibility and availability of information is an important issue to me. We are fortunate enough to have our council meetings available on TV and online but perhaps we can do even better. We can use our current resources to televise other town meetings. We can better advertise those council meetings that deal with the greater issues, such as planning board proposals, by utilizing social media and improved Web applications. We can look into restructuring our council meetings so that impactful issues are not lost in the noise. We can discuss altering regulations to require meeting agendas to be published further in advance and provide this by taking advantage of online calendar tools.
Over the years I have met so many great people in town and learned a great deal about our similarities and our differences. My goal as council member is to continue this education at an even greater scale and be guided by the people of Verona as I learn their concerns. I encourage residents to go to my facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/walkwithchris) and send me a message. Tell me what matters to you. We are all neighbors and though we may walk different paths, eventually these paths unite. Walk with me.
