CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 234 Cty Rte 52, Greenwich NY 12834
Home Phone: 692-8430
Email: Graves04@verizon.net
OCCUPATION: USPS Postmaster, Glens Falls, NY
EDUCATION: Business Management, Radford University
CIVIC ACTIVITIES AND OTHER AFFILIATIONS: 7th and 8th grade Greenwich boys’ lacrosse coach, church youth group leader,
United Methodist Church member, Greenwich BOE member.
WHY SHOULD YOU BE ELECTED?
After serving on the Greenwich BOE, I believe that anyone who is willing to sacrifice their time and volunteer to serve their community
deserves that opportunity. I have respect for the other candidates and their commitment to their community and the school. It is
unfortunate that only one can be elected.
1) What are the main issues facing the district and how would you address them?
As with every household, the financial strain of rising energy cost is a major issue with our district. We need to be proactive and think
outside the box when developing strategies for reducing cost. Short term we need to do the same things we are doing at home, turn
down the thermostats, turn off lights, recycle, etc. Additionally we need to begin the process of looking at alternative energy sources
and possible funds / grants that are available to support these ventures.
2) How will you balance improving the school district with the tax constraints facing the district residents?
I think sometimes people forget the BOE members are district residents and have the same concerns and tax bills. The district
budget is 80% fixed cost and the BOE only has influence on the remaining 20%. My objective when elected to the BOE was to
provide our children with the best possible education while being fiscally responsible to the tax payers. I look at the money spent in
our district as an investment in our children’s futures and have always based my decisions with this in mind. Is it a good investment,
what will be our return, what will it cost us and what is the risk? As with all investments we also need to review past expenditures to
see if they are still viable and still providing a service / return and make the necessary changes.
3) What would you identify as the best quality of your school district?
We are a progressive community with small town values. Our kids are respectful, diverse and talented. We have kids recognized for
their accomplishments in science, athletics and the arts. We have parents that are involved and concerned. At the risky of sounding
corning, it’s just a great place to live.
CONTACT:
16 Mowry Ave, Greenwich, NY 12834
518-222-1306
OCCUPATION:
Corporate Pilot
Air Sterling LLC
Great Neck, NY
(owners of the NY Mets and Sterling Equities)
EDUCATION:
BS Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
Science Education, Mathematics and Physics 1976
SUNY Albany
MBA Program (1980-1982)
CIVIC ACTIVITIES AND OTHER AFFILIATIONS:
Airline Transport Pilot 1984
With type ratings in Gulfstream 2, 3 & 4 aircraft, LearJet
Member of Board of Education
Greenwich Central School
1998-2005
President 2002-2005
Member of the Board of Education WSWHE-BOCES
2006-2007
WHY SHOULD YOU BE ELECTED?
I was a member of the GCS Board of Education from 1998 to 2005. I had to leave the Board back in 2005 because of changes in my
flying schedule. It was getting increasingly difficult to commit time to the position and I felt it would be in the Board's best interest to
find a replacement. Since that time, we have hired another pilot and now my schedule is much more flexible. My previous 7 years
on the Board were very productive and rewarding. I worked well with my fellow board members and with many of the staff at GCS.
There were many changes during those years and several tough controversies that faced the Board. I was always fair to all those
concerned. If people took the time to come to our Board meetings then it was important to let them voice their opinions. If elected, I
would continue that commitment to fairness and honesty.
1) What are the main issues facing the district and how would you address them?
I do not feel there is a single, polarizing issue facing the Board. I think it is several smaller issues such as the resignation of the
Superintendent mid term, the hiring of a new one, the increasing costs that face our district, to name a few. The need to control tax
increases and the need for a quality education are always tough issues. Most people do not know that most of a school budget is
mandated by the State Education Department and our contractual commitments / agreements. Not much of our budget is really
negotiable.
But, we as a School District can still set high standards for our children. We can stimulate and challenge their minds. We can hire
the best teachers and staff. Having had two children graduate from GCS and one still in high school, I am very proud of our school
and want to be involved with its future.