Opinion Roundup: Locals Write in Support for Candidates in Upcoming Elections

Oct. 24

To the Editor:

Bedford Town Board members Chris Burdick and David Gabrielson have done an outstanding job over the last four years.  In an extremely challenging economy, and facing a reduction in town revenues, they have been part of a board that has actually passed lower tax increases since 2008 than in the flush years before Burdick and Gabrielson were elected.    As long time residents and candidates who have knocked on doors to chat with residents throughout Bedford, they understand that we are a more economically diverse community than sometimes meets the eye. 

Cutting taxes are the big issue on most people’s mind these days.  New York State has mandated a limit of a 2% increase in our property taxes.  This is consistent with what the town tax increase has been over the last three years, so it won’t have much effect on the town’s portion of your tax bill.  We are already in line with what is considered prudent. 

Bedford continues to have an excellent credit rating, which matters greatly when the town sells bonds to raise money for capital improvements such as the water filtration plant.  It is primarily because of the water filtration plant, now under construction and desperately needed, that Chris and David joined their fellow board members in voting for the authority to override the New York State tax cap if the need arises. 

This override will allow us if necessary to complete the filtration plant without having to default on our bonds.  If you have lived in Bedford for any length of time, you have doubtless heard the stories or seen the brown and malodorous water that has plagued the Consolidated Water District for years.  Abandoning the project is not an option.  However, defaulting on our bonds to pay for it would cost taxpayers dearly in the long run.  If the tax cap override is exercised, for most homeowners in the water district, a small tax raise to complete the plant will cost less than the bottled drinking water they buy annually. 
We all want lower taxes, but we also want clean water, well maintained roads, police security, and parks for our recreation. 

Chris Burdick and David Gabrielson, who has a background in municipal finance, have been at the forefront of a movement towards fiscal restraint in our town government over the last four years.  Please cast your vote for Burdick and Gabrielson for Bedford Town Board on November 8th.  A vote for these two gentlemen is a vote for Bedford.

Best,

Lydia Landesberg
Katonah
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Oct. 25

Dear Editor,

Please join us in voting for our friend, Peter Michaelis for County Legislator, on Tuesday, November 8.  This is a very important election that will greatly impact the direction of our county and our towns.

We are in tough economic times.  While we are doing our best to make fiscally prudent and responsible choices in our towns, real progress depends on having the right leadership on all levels of government. 

Peter knows what matters to families in Northern Westchester and he knows the issues of county government inside and out.  We need Peter on the Board of Legislators to help County Executive Rob Astorino reduce county government and lessen the tax burden on all of our local municipalities.

Please vote for our friend, Peter Michaelis, and spread the word to your neighbors to vote for him too!

Sincerely,

Lee Roberts , Bedford Town Supervisor, Charles Duffy, Lewisboro Town Supervisor, Mary Beth Murphy, Somers Town Supervisor, Warren Lucas, North Salem Town Supervisor, Gary Warshauer, Pound Ridge Town Supervisor

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Oct. 25

To The Editor:          

We feel there is a very important election on November 8 which will significantly impact the direction the Town takes in the years ahead.  We write to urge our community to support Chris Burdick and David Gabrielson for re-election to the Bedford Town Board and Peter Harckham for re-election as our County Legislator.        

Our long time friend, Chris Burdick not only has incredible energy, intelligence and creativity, but demonstrates both integrity and diplomacy in all his endeavors . Rich knows Chris from their service on the Wetlands Control Commission, which Chris chaired for 8 years, protecting water quality while helping property owners proceed with their projects. On the Town Board, Chris has been very effective holding down Town taxes while providing a high level of services.  He also took the lead on the Town’s Ridgeline Ordinance and Dark Skies Ordinance. Chris is dedicated to maintain Bedford’s character and protect its environment.          

David Gabrielson has also done an extraordinary job. His 20 years’ experience in municipal finance helps save significant taxpayer  dollars. He has been at the forefront in the Energize Bedford program that anyone in town can use to save money on their monthly oil, gas and electricity costs. In addition, he serves as Executive Director of PACENow, a Bedford based advocacy group for community based energy efficiency financing.  David is extremely approachable and a good listener-an important quality for our Town representative.         

As our County Legislator, Peter Harckham cut County taxes 2.2% (reducing spending by  $30 million), reduced the workforce by more than 10% while protecting critical services in public safety, health and environmental protection.  He has championed term limits, greater transparency in financial disclosure for elected officials, and reduced the Board of Legislators budget by 11%.  Peter is extremely competent, talented and dedicated.          

Please join us in supporting Chris Burdick, David Gabrielson and Peter Harckham.  We need them to continue to represent our community.  Please remember to vote for them on Tuesday, November 8. 

Thank you.                                                                                              

Caryn & Rich Strongwater, Bedford                         

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Dear Editor,

When is a 2 percent tax cut smaller than a 1 percent tax cut?  When the 2 percent tax cut is based on budgeting trickery and shell games.  

On November 9, 2010, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino proposed the latter, and on December 23 Peter Harkham's Democratic majority amongst the legislators swapped in the former, knowing full well that "2 percent is bigger and better than 1 percent" would be a future political campaign's siren song to many voters who would never kick the tires.  

How did this sleight of hand come about?  A December 28 letter from Astorino to the Board Of Legislators found on page A-92 of the 2011 Adopted Operating Budget contains a lengthy explanation. Referring to the December 27^th passing of the budget’s corresponding tax levy, Astorino writes in part:  

“The Act is indicative of your Honorable Board’s failure to adhere to long-standing procedures and policies...Your Honorable Board made major additions and deletions to the proposed budget without regard to the fiscal consequences to our County..."

(this letter has been edited for length, refer to the above link for full text) 

Rob Astorino was voted into office by a 16-point margin to put an end to the nonsense above. Instead, he’s being run over by a veto-proof Board (one that decorum still sadly describes as “Honorable”) with Peter Harkham being the Majority Leader. Veto-proof boards would be great if they followed a path of fiscal soundness and transparency.   Our most recent budgeting process followed anything but.    

It’s time to stop the madness and voting Peter Michaelis onto the Board is the way to do it.   Break the veto-proof majority.  Vote for Peter Michaelis on November 8.

Sincerely,Dean Zarras, Pound Ridge

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Oct. 31

Dear Editor:

You have probably seen my signs around town calling for “Tax Relief Now.”

These three words are the plea I have heard repeatedly from voters while going door-to-door over the last six months – and I’m not surprised. They are frustrated and tired of the out-of-control taxes and wasteful spending of their hard-earned tax dollars. They are dismayed at having voted overwhelmingly to elect Rob Astorino as County Executive and then watched as he is blocked at every turn by the super-majority on the Board of Legislators led by my opponent Pete Harckham.  They are disillusioned when they learn a 2% tax reduction really isn't better than Astorino's 1% cut.

When my opponent is seen as utterly disingenuous in attempting to justify his Yes vote on the Housing Settlement when he first admitted that it was a raw deal for taxpayers;  And they are in disbelief when my opponent refuses to ask union employees to contribute to their health insurance premiums just like everybody else does, and yet sees nothing wrong with accepting campaign contributions from several unions.

I believe that county government can and should be smaller, smarter and less expensive for the taxpayer. In order to keep the programs and essential services that matter to us most, we must cut the fat out of county government. I sincerely ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 8. A vote for me is a vote for common sense and fiscal responsibility in county government and for a commitment to bringing Westchester families what they need most:  Tax Relief Now!

Peter Michaelis Candidate for County Legislator, District 2

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