Q: What is your vision for the town five years from now?
Kingsley: For most of the town, Wilton in 2018 should look much like the Wilton of 2013. The biggest difference will be in the hamlet zones, where the effects of the 2002 hamlet zoning law have not been fully felt due to the 2008-09 economic downturn. The town will continue to grow for three main reasons; its close proximity to Saratoga Springs and the Luther Forest Campus, the town's two interchanges on the Adirondack Northway and the positive environment (quality of life) that Wilton enjoys. With our lack of general fund and highway taxes, Gavin Park and quality schools, people will over the next five years, want to continue to call Wilton home.
Q: How do you feel about ambulance plan and what would you like to see happen?
Kingsley: Most of the recent zoning changes were technical in nature that cleaned up some of the flaws in the 2002 revisions and were approved by a unanimous support of the town board. I opposed the original 2002 hamlet zoning concept as I was not in favor of the urbanization of the town. Most of our residents enjoy our suburban and rural characteristics. Government officials must remember that any government planning, regardless of the vision, cannot supersede market forces. Once elected, I do not plan on making any recommendation on zoning changes as I want to see the law we now have now implemented. Residents, landowners and developers need to know what the rules of engagement are so they can plan out their long term interests.
Q: What is the biggest difference between you and your opponents?
Kingsley: All three candidates for the town council have outstanding records of community involvement However, we are electing town legislators, not “Volunteer of the Year.” A member of the town board needs to understand how government works both in a micro and a macro sense. Having attended almost every town board meeting over the last few years, including the budget workshops, I am familiar with the process and will not have much of a learning curve. As a member of the Board of Appeals, I have had working knowledge of the zoning code. Recently, we have heard much about ethics and conflict of interests. I have committed to resign as town GOP leader if elected in order to serve all the people. My employment is outside the town so I can act as an independent voice on the council, voting on issues, only to be held accountable to you the voters and my conscious. I will not have to look at my employer in the eye every time I have to cast a vote.