Darin Robbins for Alderman 2005

7th Ward, City of Corning

The city of Corning is a good community, and it deserves to prosper. I will commit all my effort to insure that we do not fade away due to economic decline. We can be the centerpiece of the county, and an artistic and cultural focal point for our part of New York state. We need new ideas because the best years of Corning are ahead of us. We only need to try, and to act now.

Platform

1. Establishing a living wage in the city of Corning, providing support for small businesses that might otherwise find it difficult to supply a living wage. A living wage shall be determined based upon the cost of living in the area, meaning that a wage would be a minimum of $9.00. This would stimulate consumer power and provide economic security

2. Creating a system of community investment in local businesses that would insure economic empowerment and stability. These measures would include a community investment fund, a micro-credit system for small business loans, time banks for community services, and a local currency for community goods. The goal is to keep the city self-sustaining and protected from the national economic crisis

3. Exploring a land-use tax as an alternative to the property taxes used to fund local education. As property taxes are an unfair and inefficient way to create revenue, public discussion must be started to find new methods. Land-use taxation would be based on two factors: the size of the land and the cost of all negative environmental impact within the property. This would be a uniform method of tax assessment that does not penalize homeowners who try to improve their homes. Any positive environmental improvement, such as installing solar panels, can result in a tax rebate

4. Using the method called net-metering to reduce energy costs. This process involves homes installed with alternative energy sources such as solar panels while still connected to the city grid. As surplus energy is generated in an environmentally clean way, that energy goes back into the grid for use by the whole community

5. Protecting civil liberties on a local level. Following what has been done in 140 cities and 3 states, a Bill of Rights Defense Resolution shall be introduced to affirm our national rights and to dispute the infringement of those rights by the USA Patriot Act

6. Improving the city infrastructure. For years our roads have been riddled with potholes that were temporarily patched over, only to have the holes return by erosion. We must commit ourselves to permanent road repair and keeping up the quality of life in our city. Our city must be a place that families, children, and the elderly can live their lives to the fullest

BIOGRAPHY

I was born December 8th, 1975 in Corning. I have lived in the city all of my life, first at 35 Spruce St. and then, since 1989, at 229 Kingsbury Ave. I attended the American University in Washington, D.C. where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. I currently work as a volunteer at the Corning Library.

I joined the Green Party one week after I voted for Ralph Nader in 2000. I left the Democratic Party because I saw a continuing trend of moving away from its progressive roots. The Green Party became an alternative for me as it introduced new ideas to issues of social and economic problems. I hope to be an advocate of these ideas and to help my community.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Darin Robbins
104 West Pulteney St., Apt. 304
Corning, New York 14830
dcr420dcr@hotmail.com
(607)-936-3294

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