Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Martens For Highway Superintendent

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County has several contested races in this fall's election, including in Clarkstown. Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Thomas Martens is running for Clarkstown Superintendent of Highways. His opponent is Bob Milone. Martens will appear on the Democratic Party line on the ballot. Milone will be on the Republican, Conservative, Working Families and SAM lines.

Martens, 56, is a retired highway maintenance supervisor, with 34 years experience in Clarkstown.

Are you running for office in Clarkstown? Contact Lanning Taliaferro at lanning.taliaferro@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and posting campaign announcements on Patch.

Previously on Patch:

• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Feiden For Clarkstown Town Justice
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Tannenbaum For Town Council Ward 2
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Milich For Town Council Ward 4
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Carroll For Town Council Ward 4
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Franchino For Town Council Ward 3

The single most pressing issue facing our community, and what I intend to do about it.

The Clarkstown Highway Department is currently facing two major issues. First, we have a pot hole crisis in every community in this area. My plan to address this crisis is to take a $40,000 pay cut from the current Superintendent salary so we can use these resources to purchase equipment that will be used specifically to fill pot holes as there is currently a severe shortage of appropriate equipment and man power.

This brings me to our second crisis. We are experiencing a severe shortage of manpower in this department. Here in Clarkstown we have 320 miles of roads and 65 Highway Department employees. Comparatively, the Town of Orangetown has 150 miles of roads and also has 65 employees. Certain services we provide such as leaf pick up, which is a monumental task in a Town this size, has required the use of shared services from other Departments within the Town. This puts more people on the ground at no additional cost. I realize that all government agencies must do more with less. In order to accomplish this I would like to expand this shared services practice in order to more efficiently service the taxpayers of Clarkstown and complete leaf pick up timely.

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

The one glaring difference between my opponent and I is that I spent 34 years employed at The Clarkstown Highway Department; 14 of which were as a Supervisor. My opponent has never plowed an inch of snow, picked up one leaf or filled one pot hole. I have the necessary and appropriate experience to do this job effectively.

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

The current Superintendent of Highways is retiring at the end of this year. Considering this, I prefer to look forwards instead of backwards.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Something I deeply believe we in civil services work for the taxpayers. They are the ones who pay our salaries and they are the boss - NOT a political party. We work for you!

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

After retiring from the Clarkstown Highway Department last February, I was employed by a private contractor to manage all things snow and ice removal for a village in Orange County, NY. The responsibilities I was tasked with in this role are the same as those that the Clarkstown Superintendent of Highways experiences. In this capacity I also worked closely with Village Hall and the Mayor just as the Clarkstown Superintendent works closely with the other town Departments and elected officials to keep our roads and community safe during weather emergencies.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Always be honest.

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

My time at the Highway Department, both as an employee and Supervisor, make me uniquely qualified for this position. I am committed to serving our taxpayers and dedicating myself to this job 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

ALSO SEE:

Early Voting Begins Oct. 26 In Rockland County