Sewell Challenges McGlasson for Kent Town Supervisor
By Holly Crocco
For the position of Kent town supervisor, incumbent Jaime McGlasson, a Republican, is being challenged by Alex Sewell, a Democrat.
Jaime McGlasson
Kent Town Supervisor Jaime McGlasson has served nearly five years in the position, spending six years prior on the Town Board. In addition to elected office, she has served as the St. James CYO basketball coordinator for the past several years.
“My commitment to public service began with volunteering and a desire to make a difference in my community,” she said. “Throughout my time in public service, I have remained committed to working hard, listening to residents, and doing what is best for the Town of Kent and its families.’
McGlasson said supporting local businesses and expanding Kent’s commercial tax base is a priority of her administration.
“We are working to expand sewer infrastructure, which will create opportunities for commercial development – particularly along Route 52,” she said. “Kent has limited commercial property so we need to make the most of the opportunities available to us.”
There has already been interest in some vacant properties, according to the supervisor.
“I look forward to seeing those opportunities move forward,” she said. “My goal is to encourage responsible business growth, attract new businesses, support those already here, and strengthen Kent’s tax base without placing an unnecessary burden on our residents.”
When asked about future plans for the deserted Lake Carmel Community Center, McGlasson said her office is preparing communication to send to residents soliciting their input on the site’s future, and their vote regarding what they would like to see happen with the building.
“We expect that vote to take place in late November,” she said. “Residents will make the decision, and my goal is to make sure we move forward responsibly.”
In addition, the town has gone out to bid and will be working on some structural improvements to the old Town Hall building to address the current needs at that property as well.
“Looking ahead, I would love to see the building become a community center, with a place for our seniors to meet and socialize, and town offices upstairs,” said McGlasson. “It would be a great way to preserve the building while creating a space that serves our residents and brings the community together.”
When it comes to navigating the current affordability crisis that’s plaguing the nation, locally, the supervisor said the number-one thing elected officials can do is be responsible with taxpayer money.
“We need to continue looking for grants, control spending, and make sure residents are getting the services they are paying for,” she said. “We also need to grow the commercial tax base so that the burden does not continue to fall so heavily on homeowners. That is one reason economic development is so important to affordability in Kent.”
McGlasson said she is blessed to be able to serve the town she was born and raised in, where she is raising her own family, and where she wants to see her children and future generations thrive.
“My commitment to this town is genuine, and I want to continue serving because I truly believe there is more work to be done,” she said. “I know the challenges we face, I know where we need to improve, and I understand that meaningful progress takes time, hard work, and accountability. I am not going to promise things just to get votes. I am committed to rolling up my sleeves, tackling the issues in front of us, and continuing to work toward real results for our residents.”
Alex Sewell
Democrat Alex Sewell has a lengthy background in volunteer public service. He currently serves as a member of the Kent Climate Smrt Task Force, as a volunteer for Sustainable Putnam, and as an inactive member of the Putnam County Land Trust in the capacity of a steward – all driven by his respect for the environment.
After volunteering at Sustainable Putnam’s Mahopac Repair Café, Sewell and his wife started the biannual Kent Repair Cafe. “Each summer and winter, alongside 10 to 15 other volunteers, we fix broken home goods and educate people on repair skills,” he explained.
Volunteering at Arts on the Lake, Sewell has helped write and execute grant proposals for programming and events. “There are a myriad of ways to get involved in Kent, and I would like to encourage people to get involved in whatever way is possible for them,” he said.
When it comes to Kent’s business climate, the candidate said there’s a systemic series of issues regarding commercial viability in Kent. Fostering new businesses independent of municipal infrastructure or high buy-in prices is going to require proactive and creative approaches, he said.
“I’d like to see more public-private partnerships with nonprofits and community organizations to help structure public-facing opportunities,” said Sewell. “From simple measures like creating events around our commerce, to larger ones like facilitating new business in costly lots, any step forward at this point in our town is ultimately a positive one.”
Outside of standard brick and mortar enterprise, he said there’s a lot the town can do with the land it owns to help generate revenue through leasing, staging opportunities, and attracting transient businesses like the entertainment or events industry.
“Making town code summarizable and creating subcommittees for new business owners could see the creation of something real and fast to give people more to enjoy here while we build back our previously more substantial commercial sector,” said Sewell.
When asked about the future of the Lake Carmel Community Center, he said the building could be the bedrock of the rebuilding of social capital amongst residents.
“I think the best path forward for the space is a combination of rehabilitation and abatement grants if we’re to restore it, or the implementation of block grants or community funding to see something new built,” he said. “I’d focus efforts on turning the lot apart from the building into something usable, and build toward the indoor project over time.”
Sewell said he’s heard suggestions of the old Town Hall building being used as annex office space for organizations such as Second Chance Foods.
“Similar to the community center, I support the use of this building to bolster community serving and enhancing initiatives,” he said. “I’d like to see Kent rebuild a sturdy Parks & Recreation Department and would be interested in seeing that building used for that purpose again.”
Sewell said Kent is a small town with a huge geographical footprint.
“We need a hundred small and earnest steps forward,” he said. “Our costs are high. We need to be bargaining heavily with the county and the state, immediately. We need to fight for our fair share – the lack of services we enjoy for what the county takes in is ridiculous… From within our town, and in our town government, we need to be unafraid to ask for help, and to be willing to receive it.”
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