Trustee candidates differ on transparency, housing growth and camera privacy

Croton’s three village trustee candidates offered different answers to questions about public trust, housing growth and camera privacy at the October 8 League of Women Voters forum. Mary Lynn Dlabola called for more openness and an assessment of development’s cumulative impacts; Len Simon defended the village’s record while acknowledging room to improve; Maria Slippen emphasized stronger communication and a clearer understanding of how decisions and technology affect residents.

Dlabola, running on the Voice of Croton line, joined Democratic incumbents Simon and Slippen for the forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Northwest Westchester. Moderator Susan Weisfeld posed questions submitted by residents before the event. The candidates’ answers described their positions and proposals; this was a campaign forum, not a board meeting adopting policy. Asked how to restore public confidence, Simon disputed the question’s premise but said the board should improve when it falls short. Simon said: “we can always do better.” Read 21:07▶ He welcomed criticism while defending the quality of village services. Dlabola argued that the village needs to be more accountable and open with residents. Dlabola said: “We need to be open and honest with our constituents. They need... They have a right to know what's going on in the government.” Read 23:04▶ Her emphasis was on giving residents a meaningful opportunity to be heard before decisions. Slippen proposed that trustees work with the attorney on a written policy to share information and rebuild trust within the board. Slippen said: “I have found that if we work together on a statement and write it down and commit to it, that's gonna help us move forward.” Read 19:25▶ On communicating with the public, she put responsibility on trustees and staff, citing the website, Facebook, newsletters and other channels. Simon encouraged residents to contact officials, attend meetings and volunteer on committees.

On housing, Simon opposed a moratorium and pointed to the village’s 1% growth policy as a better guide. Simon said: “I don't support a moratorium. In fact, I I think the 1% that we've adopted is, is much better than a moratorium.” Read 36:47▶ Slippen also opposed a moratorium, arguing that proposals should withstand scrutiny and that the village must be willing to reject unsuitable projects. Slippen said: “good projects survive scrutiny.” Read 33:17▶ She highlighted the planner’s role in evaluating proposals, including 425 South Riverside Avenue. Dlabola did not commit to a moratorium, instead urging an assessment of completed developments before further expansion. Dlabola said: “I don't know that we need a moratorium. I think we need to just be more cautious going forward.” Read 35:54▶ She supported affordable homeownership while raising concerns about how condominium taxation could affect single-family homeowners. The candidates also approached accessory dwelling units through different kinds of review. Asked about the cap on accessory dwelling units, Dlabola wanted more information about their effects before choosing a limit. Slippen called for neighborhood-specific analysis and clearer criteria to assess capacity. Simon said an expansion should remain possible after reviewing the law’s effects; he disputed the suggestion that approvals were already close to the 50-unit cap. On developer costs, Simon described escrow-funded technical review and negotiations over infrastructure and amenities. Slippen wanted the village to compare completed projects with its earlier predictions. Dlabola argued that residents’ requests, including interest in a community center, deserve more weight. Camera privacy brought another clear difference: Simon defended the license plate readers, describing the system as closed and stressing their crime-solving value, while calling for continued scrutiny. Simon said: “I think we need constant vigilance on whether there could be any crack in the system.” Read 58:09▶ Slippen supported giving police useful tools but said the board needs to better understand contracts and data handling before settling on a policy. Slippen said: “I'm not really policy ready on this one.” Read 61:11▶ Dlabola called for a privacy policy and expressed concern about a private company holding data. Dlabola said: “I'd feel much better if it was, for example, with the county or something like that.” Read 62:27▶ Dlabola said a cannabis-shop cap would probably be a good idea, while acknowledging uncertainty about the village’s authority. Simon said he was not eager for more than one shop. Slippen emphasized thoughtful zoning, locations and how new businesses fit Croton. On gas-powered leaf blowers, Simon favored strengthening the existing restrictions. Slippen wanted to respect the Conservation Advisory Council’s review and recommendation. Dlabola said she personally dislikes leaf blowers and is interested in the review’s findings. On affordability, Simon emphasized low tax growth and revenue from village assets. Slippen pointed to controlling village expenses, supporting local assistance organizations and working with legislators. Dlabola cautioned that broader economic forces limit the relief village government can provide. Asked about uneven enforcement, Simon described rewriting the sign law after earlier problems. Slippen said the sign dispute had been handled poorly and stressed acknowledging mistakes. Dlabola emphasized transparency and avoiding the appearance of impropriety. For infrastructure, Simon prioritized public safety, roads, sidewalks, water and sewer work. Slippen wanted a more regular channel for departments to alert trustees to needs, citing residents’ discolored-water complaints. Dlabola also raised water complaints while expressing confidence in public works staff. On bicycle and pedestrian safety, Slippen urged a broader conversation about sharing roads. Dlabola suggested safety courses, age restrictions and possibly insurance for some motorized vehicles. Simon highlighted training and the bicycle-pedestrian committee’s work, while allowing that some additional regulation may make sense. The full forum recording and timestamped transcript let voters compare the answers in context. The League’s voter information page provides election and forum information.