Candidate Profile: Alison Biddle For Lewisboro Town Council

LEWISBORO, NY — Election season 2023 is here and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Name: Alison Biddle

Hometown: Mount Kisco

Running for which office: Lewisboro Town Council

Education: B.S. Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from SUNY Albany

Political experience: Two years ago, I ran for a position on the town council, coming just a few votes short of a successful campaign. While the outcome was not what I had hoped for, it inspired me to stay deeply engaged with our community and continue my commitment to making a positive difference.

Since then, I have remained an active and dedicated member of our community. I have been involved in various ways, such as staying connected with constituents through emails, fostering the development of future leaders as a Girl Scout Leader, and contributing my time to various community events. Most recently, I volunteered at the Oktoberfest hosted by our Lions Club, which brought together neighbors and friends in a celebration of our community spirit.
These experiences have not only allowed me to stay informed about the issues and concerns that matter most to our residents but also to forge meaningful connections with our community members. They have reinforced my dedication to ensuring that our town remains a vibrant and inclusive place for all residents.

While my previous campaign was a close call, I see it as another step in my continued commitment to serve our community. I remain enthusiastic about contributing to our town's growth and well-being in new and meaningful ways, drawing from the knowledge and connections I've gained through my ongoing involvement.

Work experience: I began my career at Fidessa, where I was involved in developing trading and clearing systems for global banks and broker dealers. This encompassed a wide range of financial products, including equities, options, pairs, futures, and other forms of trading. I found particular enjoyment in creating systems for more intricate and complex trading scenarios.

Over time, I transitioned from hands-on coding to a role where I managed a team. In this capacity, I guided our company's shift from an enterprise software model to a hosted one, which proved to be a catalyst for significant organizational growth.

As my journey continued, I ventured into sales and account management, recognizing that this is where my strengths truly shine. My responsibilities included working closely with clients, understanding their specific needs, and determining the solutions that would best align with those needs.

Presently, I serve as a Senior Global Enterprise Account Manager at Fusion Risk Management, focusing on serving the Global Financial Services and Insurance sectors. Fusion Risk Management is a prominent enterprise resiliency platform provider with a mission to collaborate in building a more resilient world. With a presence in over 20 countries and a customer base exceeding 400, Fusion offers software solutions that empower organizations to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and learn from various situations.

Our flagship product, The Fusion Framework System, is intricately integrated into the Salesforce Lightning Platform, offering secure access to programs from any location, on any device, and at any time. This system brings together different facets of resiliency, including Business Continuity, Operational Risk, Third Party Risk, and Crisis/Incident Management, to deliver operational resilience to organizations.

Fusion has earned recognition as a leader in the continuity and resilience sectors, with endorsements from esteemed analysts such as Gartner and Forrester. We pride ourselves on offering a modern user interface, adaptable user experiences, and a consistent design language throughout our product suite through the use of Lightning Components and the Lightning Design System.

Fusion's commitment to innovation extends to our development of unique and purpose-built user experiences on the Salesforce Lightning Platform. These experiences are designed to help organizations effectively manage their business continuity and risk management objectives.

Family: My husband and I live with our two children, Georgi (5) and Nico (3) in Cross River with our 3 dogs with my in-laws just down the road in Lake Truesdale, South Salem.

Campaign website: alisonbiddle.com

Why are you seeking this office?

I first decided to run for Town Council two years ago, when an enormous cell phone tower suddenly appeared on the edge of my property, and I decided to get involved and see what else was going on in town that we local residents were unaware of.

I’m proud that my first campaign helped expose — and prevent — a sweetheart land deal, which would have allowed the former Town Supervisor’s personal secretary to buy a lakefront property in a secret no-bid deal.

Our town has its unique issues, and I am passionate about addressing them. From our pothole-filled streets to the safety of our residents, I wanted to roll up my sleeves and be a part of the solutions.

My opponents have been on the Town Council for a combined total of 22 years, and it got me thinking, maybe it’s my turn to step up and provide the leadership I think our town deserves. Plus, I’ve always been an advocate for open and honest communication. I want to make sure our local government is transparent and accountable to all of us.

But most importantly, I’m excited about the chance to be the voice for our neighbors, to advocate for what you need and want. It’s not just about me; it’s about our entire community.

And you know, it’s a bit of a leap of faith. It means putting a hold on some things in my life, but it’s a personal commitment I’m willing to make. In the end, I want to bring about positive change, and I hope my story inspires others to get involved in their communities too.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

I come from a strong business background with a deep understanding of numbers and proper capital planning. My focus has always been on ensuring our town’s financial stability, which is crucial for us to make the improvements we want to see.

I firmly believe that using numbers and rigorous planning can help us achieve the results we want, ensuring that our resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.

My heart is in economic development and fiscal responsibility. I believe that a well-managed town can better support its schools and community services, making sure every dollar is put to its best use.

I bring empathy and strong problem-solving skills to the table, always ready to work with others while maintaining my commitment to financial accountability and strategic thinking, ensuring our town’s future is secure.

What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

I believe it’s crucial for our town to have a clear plan for the future. We need to know where we’re heading and how we’re going to get there. A multi-year planning process is a way to do this, which allows us to consider the town’s development over several years, not just the short term.

Having a capital plan is equally important. It helps us prioritize major projects like infrastructure improvements or community services. These projects can have a big impact on our daily lives, and we should know what’s in store for our town.

And it’s not just about setting goals; it’s about detailing the steps to reach those goals. We should be able to see a roadmap of how our town is going to improve.

Transparency and accountability are at the core of this. We need to know what decisions are being made and why. No more back room deals or secret negotiations. We all have a stake in our community, and we should be part of the conversation.

Regular community reports are a way to ensure we’re all on the same page. It’s about keeping us informed about the progress we’re making toward our goals and where our tax dollars are going.
In the end, it’s about involving our community. We should be actively engaged in these discussions. Our voices matter, and our input can shape the future of our town. This way, our town can truly reflect our collective vision and values.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the community?

The Town Board achieved significant progress with the Lewisboro Commons project in Goldens Bridge. However, their negotiations with the builder fell short of expectations.

The current board had promised Goldens Bridge residents $50,000 for permitting this project, but they failed to secure it in writing. Ultimately, the builder provided only $15,000.

For upcoming similar projects, I will leverage my extensive negotiation expertise to ensure that our town receives equitable compensation for the profits generated by builders. I will also incorporate protective measures, such as clawback provisions, to safeguard our interests in the event of economic fluctuations, thus ensuring the security of our residents.

We can look to our neighbors in North Salem for inspiration, as they successfully negotiated a superior deal with the same builder for a similar project, securing $300,000 in recreation fees for the improvement of their parks and recreational facilities. Additionally, Wilder Balter constructed a spacious 9,600-square-foot garage behind the North Salem salt shed to accommodate their Highway Department. The existing 4,000-square-foot building, previously housing the Highway Department, has been refurbished to house the North Salem Police Department and provide a meeting space for approximately 70 people. Furthermore, the North Salem Town Annex is now home to the Building Department, ending their six-year tenure in a trailer.

Under this board’s leadership, Lewisboro missed a significant opportunity to fund crucial town projects, a failure to our community.

We need to be actively listening, as the voices and stories of our residents truly matter. We need to address concerns about affordable housing by thoroughly reviewing and rewriting local zoning regulations to make room for diverse housing options, not just spot zoning as has been done in recent past.

We need to work with nonprofit organizations, housing authorities, and developers specializing in affordable housing, forging public-private partnerships.

Our essential workers, the backbone of our community, must be able to live where they serve. This guarantees economic stability and fosters vibrant, diverse communities.

We need to explore transit-oriented and mixed-use developments, merging housing with shops and services, fostering walkable and affordable communities.

I am determined to continue advocating for funding from federal and state sources to make Lewisboro a more inclusive, vibrant, and welcoming community for all its residents. This journey is ongoing and reflects our commitment to a brighter future.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Making our town's roads and infrastructure better without raising taxes is quite a challenge, but it's a challenge we can tackle with a strategic approach. Here's what I'm thinking:

First things first, we've got to figure out our priorities. We should assess what needs fixing urgently, especially in terms of safety and essential repairs.

And hey, there's some good news. State and federal grants can be a real lifeline for infrastructure improvements. We should definitely tap into those resources.

Now, here's an interesting idea: teaming up with private companies. They might be willing to pitch in for the repairs, maybe in exchange for some advertising space or other benefits. It's a win-win if done right.

Ever heard of a pavement management system? It's a smart way to make our roads last longer by using data-driven maintenance strategies. It's not just a fancy concept; it's effective.

When it comes to funding, bonds could be a way to go. They spread the cost over several years and use future revenue to pay them off.

Supporting local contractors and labor for road work makes a lot of sense. It keeps the money circulating in our local economy.

And here's a big one — economic development. By encouraging local businesses and growth, we can indirectly boost tax revenue without having to raise rates.

Lastly, teaming up with our neighboring towns is a savvy move. Sharing the costs of road maintenance and repairs can be cost-effective for everyone involved.

So, in a nutshell, it's about finding creative ways to improve our infrastructure without burdening taxpayers.

I would like to see a senior center. We could call it Hamlet Hall. I would like the Town Board to finally prioritize the needs of our Seniors. Recently at the Lewisboro Town Board meeting, they discussed using the remaining $500,000 of ARPA funds for the pool and other repair projects around our town.

Senior citizens never came up in that discussion.

Playgrounds are great. Bike lanes are wonderful. Parks and pools are amazing.

But seniors are our greatest resource. They fought and bled for our country and have a lifetime of experience and perspective no one will ever have again. They grew up, married, had children and grandchildren and ran businesses. They worked day and night. They lived and loved and sacrificed to build a better future for those who came after them.

And they are singularly responsible for Lewisboro being the wonderful, vibrant town it is today.
I think it’s time we move to create a permanent, dedicated senior center for the town of Lewisboro.

Political realities being what they are, the smart approach is to raise funds through a 501(c)(3) entity, with a board of directors representing a cross spectrum of Lewisboro leaders, of all political persuasions, from every walk of life.

I am committed to this project, regardless of the outcome of this election, and will welcome civic and political leaders to join us, regardless of party and ideology, and would work with anyone who shares our vision of a better future for Lewisboro seniors.

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

My professional background in software and financial services dovetails effectively with the prerequisites for a town board member.

I have a knack for solving complex technical and business problems, and that's a valuable skill for a town board member. Towns often face tricky issues, and my problem-solving abilities can be a real asset.

My journey from hands-on coding to leadership roles underlines my ability to provide direction and make informed choices, a fundamental aspect of collaborating with fellow board members and shaping the town's trajectory.

Being adaptable is key to this role, and my experience in guiding my company through substantial transformations demonstrates my capability to navigate evolving scenarios and meet the shifting needs of our community.

My people skills, developed through my sales and account management roles, are perfect for understanding what residents and stakeholders want. This empathetic approach is pivotal when representing the community's interests.

My tech-savvy side stemming from my work with modern software solutions, promises innovative concepts and tech-driven enhancements for the town's services.

My unwavering dedication to resiliency and risk management underscores my commitment to community safety and preparedness, both integral components of town board responsibilities.
Although my professional journey may differ from what one thinks is a traditional path of a town board member, my unique blend of skills and experiences is poised to be a powerful catalyst for driving positive change in our community and effectively addressing its diverse challenges.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My vision for Lewisboro is not Mayberry.

Because Mayberry isn't real.

I want to live in a small town where we are all civic-minded neighbors, not hyperpartisan Republicans and Democrats. It’s bad enough they are going at it nonstop in Washington. At the end of the day, we are neighbors. Let’s act like it.

And I want to live in a small town where everyone is welcome, and all backgrounds are respected, and where seniors feel they are remembered for their service to the country and contributions to our community.