Meet the Candidate: Howard Hollander

Candidate: Howard Hollander

Age: 48

Political Affiliations: Democrat, Working Families endorsement

Education/Professional Background: Four-year BS degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and now a captain with American Airlines.

Patch: What is your platform for running for this position? What should voters know about you before making their decision?

Hollander: My platform is one of restoring the Town of Harrison to it's well deserved glory while at the same time managing our financial resources to maximize both our current situation and a secure future for all of our town residents.

Patch: What are some new ideas you would bring to the town board? What separates you from the other candidates?

Hollander: I have a number of new ideas to suggest to the town, from how we schedule garbage pickup, to construction buildings, snow removal and a focus on generating new income. Our residents' tax burden is too high and needs to be looked at in a different manor.

Patch: Past spending has been a key issue during this elections season. How do you envision your voice on the board as far as spending? If elected, will you focus on making cuts in spending to reduce the tax rate or investing in things that improve the town?

Hollander: The absolute answer is both. We do and must invest in our town because it IS our town. We may not be able to everything we wish to, or, better stated, in a timely manor. But clearly we must move forward on a number of issues. Spending money is a major topic! It is extremely difficult to make ends meet, to prevent our taxes from climbing over 5 percent of the new budget, which goes to paying for old debt. This along with healthcare costs; state pension contributions and the decrease in property tax revenue just make the financial outlook a "dark cloud".

Patch: Negotiations continue at this point between town leadership and local labor unions over possible changes to the healthcare aspect of their contracts. Will you continue to pursue these changes? What are your hopes, if any, for the renegotiated union contracts?

Hollander: I am aware that all the union contracts with out town employees have expired, and the process of negotiations has already started. This subject is actually something I look forward to very much. I am a member of different unions and have personally been an active union leader for the last 17 years. My first role was in the grievance arena, including employee arbitrations. I was then a contract negotiator for some time, until becoming the vice chairman and eventually chairman of the pilots union.

I would venture to guess that I have been in more courtrooms and union meetings across the U.S. than any other individual in the area. I also believe I have a positive relationship with a number of out town employees. I feel very strongly that solving the remaining issues that remain on the table will be accomplished in a shorter period of time if allowed to work with our individual union leaders.

Patch: What plans do you have for possible senior living centers in Harrison? Some of Harrison’s seniors have struggled to keep up with increased taxes and are considering moving from the area, how do you fix this problem?

Hollander: Harrison's seniors indeed have struggled over the last ten years. It was the one main reason I got involved years ago, when two neighbors who were both seniors just could not afford to keep their house and had to move. There are a number of reasons for the move, but the number one reason was their tax liability. That should never happen! I would very much like to see some sort of relief for seniors and respectfully understand that the town's portion of a residents tax bill is only 25 percent of the total bill, but more needs to be done.

Patch: What is your biggest strength as a prospective town board member?

Hollander: I feel I have two positive strengths to offer, if elected. One, I have an extensive background in contract negotiations, arbitrations and grievances. As a member of multiple unions and holding a number of high positions in those unions, I believe I can resolve the issues that continue to keep our union employees and town board from having a reasonable and fair contract. 

Two, I have not served as a town board member before. I bring new ideas and hopefully a positive attitude that will allow the board to function on behalf of the residents. For me, it's not about being a Democrat or a Republican; it's about serving the town and trying to make things better. I tell it as it is and do not know how to dance the political two-step. It's sometimes hard to hear the truth, but I believe the truth is better than an empty promise or double-talk.

Patch: What do you think your biggest weakness will be, how will you address it?

Hollander: I take the time to get "spun up" on a number of issues, from flooding reports and studies that have been done over the years to building applications, future projects and "old town" business. Any first time elected official starts off with a disadvantage pertaining to issues from years gone by.

Patch: What is one thing voters might not know about you that they should?

Hollander: Well, they know I'm new to politics! I'm not really a suit and tie kind of guy. I like getting my hands dirty and having a feeling of self-pride. As the union chairman, my motto was "If you want to solve the problems, you need to be where the rubber meets the runway".

Besides flying airplanes around the world, when I'm off and it snows you can find me in a big snow plow clearing the airport runway at JFK airport.

Howard Hollander is one of four candidates running for two open seats on the Harrison Town Board. We will post interviews with all four candidates in the days leading up to the election.