Letters to the Editor: Re-Elect Peter Harckham for County Legislator, District 2

Re:  Response to the recent

Dear Editor,

It’s disappointing that Ms. Douglas is now a second Republican voice that appears to be betting that sounding a divisive tone and playing fast and loose with the facts is an acceptable way to run for public office.

I believe it’s important to set the record straight.

The county budget she derides was a bipartisan achievement—all five Republicans on the Board of Legislators voted for it because it was a far better budget that the one proposed by County Executive Astrorino. And regarding sound fiscal management, County Legislator Harckham cut taxes 2.2  percent, more than twice the tax cut proposed by County Executive Astorino. Legislator Harckham cut spending by $30 million, and he reduced the size of the county workforce by more than 10 percent. Importantly, Legislator Harckham’s work on our behalf returned $67 million to the county fund balance.

These are the facts, no matter how shrill and misleading the attacks otherwise might be. I am confident that voters will see through this partisan posturing and re-elect County Legislator Harckham, an honest source of information who has a proven record of working in a bipartisan manner to provide real tax relief.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Mand, Bedford

Re: BOL reimbursements

Dear Editor,

After reading the recent coverage on food and travel reimbursements for the County Board of Legislators, I recalled the political dictum that “all politics is local.” Specifically, I was very happy to know that my County Legislator, Pete Harckham, understands that his constituents are doing more with less—and so is he.

Since being sworn in, Legislator Harckham has not taken a dime of reimbursement of any kind from taxpayers. He refused a $3,000 stipend for serving as chair of the Committee on Environment and Energy; he refused a $9,000 stipend for serving as the legislative Majority Leader; and he has refused any mileage reimbursement.

As a member of the National Coalition of Counties (which meets in annually in Washington) and of New York State Association of Counties (which meets annually in Albany), Legislator Harckham hasn’t accepted any reimbursement for the costs of conferences, travel, meals, or lodging.

It’s more than understandable why constituents are asking tough questions these days regarding how tax money is being spent. And as a supporter of Pete Harckham for re-election to the County Legislator in November, I couldn’t be happier that his answers make clear that his priorities as those of a fiscally prudent tax cutter.

I have known Pete for many years and would expect no less from him, we are very fortunate to have him!

Sincerely,

Bea Rhodes, Katonah

Re: Hyper-partisan attacks on Peter Harckham

Dear Editor:

As the November elections draw closer, is it too much to ask that candidates stick to the facts and pledge to avoid devisive and caustic attacks?

It’s barely August, and I’m already tired of the hyper-partisan attacks on County Legislator Pete Harckham, tactics that are so reminiscent of the Tea Party absolutism and rancor that has brought our national government to a standstill.

Legislator Harckham has a proven record of achievement—and has worked in a bipartisan manner to find solutions to the tough challenges facing the county. On the number-one issue of the budget and taxes, Harckham cut taxes by 2.2 percent—which provided more than twice the tax relief proposed by the Astorino Administration—reduced the county workforce by 10 percent, saving more than $30 million moving forward; cut spending by $30 million; and returned $67 million to the county fund balance.

A recognized leader on environmental issues, Legislator Harckham was recently endorsed by the non-partisan New York League of Conservation Voters for protecting our water, developing creative strategies to address unfunded state environmental mandates, preserving open spaces, and increasing recycling, all while saving money in the process.

This is an impressive record for Legislator Harckham—and those are the facts. Our local races shouldn’t be marred by harsh partisan sniping. We need to re-elect to the County Legislature a proven bipartisan consensus builder like Pete Harckham, who has a solid record of cutting taxes, reducing government size while preserving essential services, and protecting our environment.

Sincerely,

Thea Fry, Katonah

Re: NYCLV Endorsement for Harckham

To the Editor,

I am writing to congratulate County Legislator Pete Harckham on receiving the endorsement of the New York League of Conservation Voters in his campaign for re-election to the County Board of Legislators. 

Many of us supported Pete Harckham when he first ran for County Legislator because he recognized the threats to our drinking water and to the environment, and he promised to work to protect them.  He has kept his word. Legislator Harckham has brought more than $11 million in water quality improvement funds to our district, including $10 million in North Salem for the Peach Lake Sewer District, $500,000 for septic management, and funding for Bedford and Somers to study wastewater treatment options. He negotiated a groundbreaking septic management plan to address an unfunded state mandate, which will save homeowners and municipalities hundreds of thousand of dollars, and he passed legislation to preserve open spaces.  Legislator Harckham also successfully sponsored legislation that expands our plastics recycling, a convenience to us that protects the environment and brings additional funding to the county.

Legislator Harckham’s record of accomplishment shows that sound environmental policy is sound fiscal policy. He has worked in good faith and with determination to protect our drinking water and the environment, saving tax dollars at the same time.  I will show my support for Pete Harckham’s work by voting to re-elect him in November.

Sincerely,

Phyllis Ross, Katonah