Opinion Roundup: Some Dems Support Michaelis, Others Call Campaign Mailings 'Deceptive'

Oct. 18

Dear Editor,

We are registered Democrats who live in District 2 and who enthusiastically endorse Peter Michaelis - a Republican - to be our next County Legislator.  For the 5th year in a row, Westchester has been named the highest taxed county in America.  Our taxes have grown unmanageable for so many Westchester families.  Peter is committed to reducing our tax burden in a fiscally responsible way.  He will eliminate wasteful spending to preserve the programs we value most and protect our seniors and children. 

Peter puts the needs of people before politics.  He is an independent leader who has a record of reaching across party lines to achieve results.  He has a history of supporting candidates based on their principles, not on party affiliation.  He is the leader we desperately need to put partisan politics aside and do what’s best for Westchester. 

Peter Michaelis shares our values.  Peter’s commitment to protecting our environment and drinking water goes without question. He is founder of a green alternative energy company, former Chairman of the Bedford Tree Advisory Board, Chairman of the Bedford Historical Society, a supporter of the Westchester Land Trust and the Mianus River Gorge Preserve, and he was actively involved in Bedford’s Masterplan that helped establish the open space initiative. We ask you – no matter your party affiliation - to join with us and vote for Peter Michaelis on Tuesday, November 8th.

Sincerely,

Mary Richardson Kennedy, Nancy Steiner, David Michaelis, Virginia Getz, Harry Evarts, Michael Landsman, Esq., Sarah Preston, Susan Corcoran, Esq., John & Kim Morris, John & Kathy Abbott, Melissa Fleming, Helen Feid, Tracy Gerber, Tim & Lisa Ghriskey, Robin Lamb, Nancy Lamb, Tricia Swift, Barbara Gatfield, Dr. Timothy Haydock, Sarah Seifer, Susan Polos, Kim Moskowitz, Stan Schulman, Olga Quiros, Ben & Katherine Branch, Paul & Pamela Salvatore

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Oct. 23

Dear Editor:

Residents of Bedford have reason to be justifiably proud:  Their Town Board is one of the most effective and efficient legislative bodies in the County, if not the entire state.  Its five members have managed to set aside their political affiliations and do what is in the best interests of our town.  (A fitting model for the U.S. Congress!) 

This is not the time to replace one of its members with a divisive voice, who has nothing to offer but his own personal grievances.  A vote for Lee Roberts, Chris Burdick and David Gabrielson will insure continuation of their outstanding efforts in our behalf.

Sincerely,

Stanley Starr, Katonah

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Oct. 18

Dear Editor,

Why is Peter Michaelis’ campaign being funded by the New York State Republican Committee?  Because the State Republican Party and special interests  have targeted Pete Harckham for defeat.  They have even pressured local officials who work with and privately support Pete to publicly endorse Michaelis.

If they are successful, they will control Westchester County. To understand why this is a concern, let’s look at what Pete has done. He led the Legislature to a bipartisan compromise that resulted in 2.2 % reduction in county taxes this year.  This is more than County Executive Rob Astorino sought.  Pete did this without losing our AAA credit rating and without sacrificing important services like the crime lab and the Department of Emergency Services.  He also did this by reducing the county workforce by 10% through incentives, without having to lay off hundreds of county workers that would have further impacted our difficult economy. 

By comparison, Astorino wanted to cut taxes by privatizing services and laying off workers.  This would have negatively impacted our services, costing us far more down the road. 

Pete Harckham has shown the way with true leadership, not hollow slogans concocted by a high priced PR firm in Albany.

If you want real tax reform and lower taxes for all of us, not just the special interests then let’s reelect a proven leader, Pete Harckham on November 8.

Fred Silverman, Bedford Hills, NY

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Oct. 24

To The Editor:

Integrity and trustworthiness are two essential qualities that we need in our elected officials. What we see in a campaign is very often a revealing look at the character of a candidate.

By waging a deceptive, negative campaign, Peter Michaelis raises serious questions about whether he has the judgement and honesty we need in our County Legislator.

In two expensive campaign mailers—both funded by the New York Republican State Committee—Mr. Michaelis blatantly lies about the federal housing settlement. I know that’s a harsh charge, but it’s true. These mailers’ only intent is to sow fear and divisiveness. 

Let'e take a look at the facts: By helping to fashion the best possible solution in a very difficult problem, Pete Harckham cast a courageous vote and protected county taxpayers from exposure to up to $300 million in penalties and preserved home rule and local control.  The settlement agreement caps the county’s obligation at $52 million, thus saving us taxpayers up to $250 million dollars.

Mr. Michaelis knows this, yet his special-interest-funded mailer untruthfully stated that the settlement will cost the taxpayers $100 million or more. Such mendacity is an egregious violation of public trust.

Pete Harckham has worked hard to accomplish what he told us he would do: reduce both the size and cost of county government, protect our families, and safeguard our fragile drinking water supplies and our environment. Those are positive, lasting results for our community.

On Election Day, I'll be voting for integrity – I'll be voting for Pete Harckham.

Sincerely,

David M. Cohen, Bedford Hills

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Oct. 24

Dear Editor:

We all understand that political campaigns include pointed exchanges and, sometimes, sharp words. But every once in a while a candidate crosses the line, and it’s important to recognize this and respond. 

Our county legislator, Pete Harckham, is running for re-election against Peter Michaelis, and in these final weeks, what was already an aggressive, divisive campaign against Pete has now added untruths and deception. 

Specifically, in a recent mailing—paid for by the New York State Republican Committee—the Michaelis campaign blatantly lies about the federal housing settlement, with the clear intent of spreading anger and fear. 

Here’s the truth: By helping to fashion the best possible solution in a very difficult problem, Pete Harckham cast a tough but courageous vote and protected county taxpayers from exposure to up to $300 million in penalties. He preserved home rule and local control.

Peter Michaelis knows that the settlement agreement clearly caps the county’s obligation at $52 million, yet his special-interest-funded mailer untruthfully stated that the settlement will cost the taxpayers $100 million or more. This is an egregious violation of public trust.

And, if that weren’t enough, the Michaelis campaign has organized a supposed "Democrats for Michaelis" committee that is actually paid for by the New York Republican State Committee. (And which even includes two registered Republicans as its members!) He trumpets in a logo his endorsement by the organization "Candidates for a Healthy Westchester," which exists solely as logo for Republican candidates to put on their mailers.

On the web you will find a single page that, of course, fails to mention anything about actual health. Pete Harckham has worked hard to accomplish what he told us he would do: reduce the size and cost of county government, protect our families, and safeguard our fragile drinking water supplies and our environment. Pete cut taxes 2.2%, more than double the tax relief proposed by the County Executive. He reduced the size of the county workforce by over 10%; he slashed spending by $30 million; and for the first time, required elected officials, appointed officials and all non-represented management employees to contribute to their health insurance.

Peter Michaelis is reaching out to Democrats under a deceptive bipartisan banner, and he is continuing to mislead voters. The only remedies for lies are the facts— and I hope that you will help us share the true story of Pete Harckham’s record and accomplishments with as many of your friends and neighbors as possible before election day, Tuesday, November 8. 

Please, urge them to vote for Pete Harckham, who has brought positive, lasting results for our community.

Alan Cole, Lewisboro Democratic Committee Co-Chair

Christina Rae, Lewisboro Democratic Committee Co-Chair

Bruce Yablon, Bedford Democratic Committee Co-Chair

Herb Geller, North Salem, Democratic Committee Co-Chair

Andy Pelosi, North Salem, Democratic Committee Co-Chair

Roslyn Stone-Pollack, Pound Ridge Democratic Committee Chair

William Serratore, Mount Kisco Democratic Committee Chair

Christine Robbins, Somers Democratic Committee Chair

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Oct. 24

To the Editor,

Pete Harckham is the only candidate for County Legislator who has been endorsed by the nonpartisan New York League of Conservation Voters.

Pete Harckham brought more than $11 million in water quality improvement funds to the district, including $10 million in North Salem for the Peach Lake Sewer District, funding for Bedford and Somers to study waste water treatment options, and $500,000 for septic management in the district. He negotiated an effective septic management plan to address an unfunded state mandate, which will save homeowners and municipalities hundreds of thousand of dollars, and his leadership has led to the passage of legislation to protect drinking water, to preserve open spaces, and to encourage sensible economic development of agriculture in Northern Westchester.

Pete Harckham is a respected leader on environmental issues, and his record makes clear that good environmental policy is good fiscal policy. Because of this important work, I’m voting for Pete Harckham.

Sincerely,  

MaryAnn Carr