Candidate Profile: Tara Kassal For New Castle Town Council

NEW CASTLE, NY — In 2021's general election, residents of the Hudson Valley will be voting for local officials. In anticipation, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Tara Kassal is seeking election to the New Castle Town Council in November. The 49-year-old is running as a Democrat.

Learn more about Kassal on www.UniteNewCastle.org

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Tara Kassal:

Position Sought

Town Council

Family

Spouse Mark Kassal (49), daughter Gabrielle (10) and son Laird (8). My children attend Seven Bridges Middle School and Westorchard Elementary.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A.

Education

B.S. Urban Affairs, Boston University; Executive Education Certificate Columbia University Business School.

Occupation

Managing Partner of an Environmental, Social & Governance ( ESG) Firm. Over twenty years of experience in commercial real estate and infrastructure.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Why are you seeking elective office?

I recognize our town is confronting one of the most significant challenges we have faced in generations with the redevelopment and revitalization of our downtowns. I believe my experience in real estate development will bring tangible value to our town as we navigate complex planning, design and construction issues and seek to drive positive outcomes for all residents.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue facing our town is a lack of a distinct, cohesive vision and critical path to achieving it. It is my intention to support and guide that effort. New Castle is one of the most sought-after towns in our state, yet we are in danger of destroying its unique character and beauty by enacting developer-driver rezoning that will likely result in a sea of generic apartment buildings as the defining feature of our hamlets. We have an opportunity to collaborate to create an integrated vision for downtown that delivers vibrant mixed-use and housing diversity underpinned by a strong, distinctive “brand” that is attractive, engaging and will distinguish New Castle for generations to come.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The key differences between me and my opponents are my background and experience working in community planning, real estate and infrastructure. I understand what we need to do to engage residents, develop a collaborative vision and generate buy-in from key stakeholders so we can quickly and efficiently move the town forward and achieve our shared goals.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Our current Town Board, with the exception of Councilwoman Lisa Katz, has disregarded the critical importance of listening, engaging, and working with residents to create solutions that inspire the community into action. They have failed to build consensus. This election is all about representing residents, hearing their concerns and adjusting accordingly. When hundreds of residents take the time to share their perspective, the Board must act accordingly and be willing to course correct, not simply offer stop-gaps, even if they are personally committed to a concept.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think our local officials did an exemplary job responding to the pandemic and deferring to public health officials for all relevant matters.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

In addition to listening and respecting our residents and driving a collaborative vision for the future, I hope to achieve a number of objectives I consider central to a sustainable community:
— Fostering economic vitality and strong, responsible stewardship of our tax dollars
— Cultivating a strong and welcoming sense of community and strengthening social cohesion through town-sponsored programming, events and service opportunities
— Substantively addressing the growing problem of flight paths over New Castle and the impact on the well-being of our residents
— Embracing advancements in energy efficiency and technology in our infrastructure to improve resilience

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Personally and professionally I have always been focused on strategic thinking, creative problem solving and hard work to achieve objectives. As a female entrepreneur focused on energy transformation and the future of cities, I am forward thinking and progress-oriented. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively to create alignment across boundaries and develop a shared vision of success for clients, investors, partners, community boards, residents and other key stakeholders. In my role as a global executive, I created solutions and generated buy-in from diverse cultures and populations, and found creative ways to help overcome differences for a more unified approach. I have worked closely with communities to enhance social engagement through programming and events. In my current role, I create and implement environmentally sustainable solutions that also make economic sense, and development approaches for mixed-income, integrated communities that improve quality of life. I hope to use these experiences together with my leadership skills to create real, tangible value for New Castle.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice ever shared with me was to take the time to understand and empathize with the key drivers and concerns of others when in conflict, and to identify common ground and future opportunity as the foundation for resolution and positive outcomes. Engendering trust and resolving differences serves us well in almost every aspect of life.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I hail from a lovely New England town that did not effectively manage its growth. When I return there as an adult, it makes me sad to see how densification and rampant commercialization have transformed the town I once knew. Professionally, I understand what could have been done differently to drive a better outcome. I chose my career because I am passionate about the creation of sustainable development that balances social, environmental, and economic benefits. I hope to take my understanding of these issues to our town to ensure we continue to evolve and are on the right path to progress. I hope to earn your vote!

Find information about absentee and early voting here: Election 2021: New Systems For Early Voting In Westchester. To find all your candidates, as well as statewide, county and local propositions, follow the links offered by the Board of Elections:

• View the 2021 General Election Candidates List.
• View the 2021 General Election State Propositions.
• View the 2021 General Election County and Local Propositions.