Voices from the Vote

A steady rain may have kept a few locals home today, said polling inspectors at local elementary schools, who reported about average or slightly lower numbers than usual for voters headed to the polls.

At Lewisboro Elementary, they were doing “quite nicely,” but it was so quiet at Meadow Pond—where election results will be announced for the Katonah-Lewisboro school district after 9 p.m. tonight—that poll workers were able read novels.

Bedford Village Elementary School reported a brisk turnout, but at Increase Miller Elementary School, elections inspector Kathy Lett said they had about 200 fewer voters by the afternoon this year than last year at that time.

“Maybe it was because of the weather but it could be because there is less of a tax increase this year,” said Lett.

In Katonah Lewisboro, a few voters reported confusion while trying to vote for write-in school board candidate Mark Dembo. “But I asked for help and was able to vote the way I wanted,” said North Salem resident Martin Alcock.

Here’s a snapshot of voter views heard at the polls today:

Ursula LaMotte, former county legislator and Bedford town board member, voted yes for Bedford’s budget but said she resented some of the signage around town encouraging her to do so ‘for the kids.’ “I think a lot of this budget is out of our control—it’s about pensions and Albany, not the kids,” she said. “I did support the budget and I think the superintendent is doing a great job.” On the school board candidates, LaMotte said there was “a lot of great experience” in the race, and she “applauds anyone who will run.”

Jennifer Weis, a pharmacist and mother of three children who attend Meadow Pond Elementary School, said the size of the budget is difficult to swallow. “I came from New Milford, CT, where it was a lot less expensive and we had a wonderful education system. But I supported this budget because it didn’t seem like we had much choice,” she said. Weis said she thought the current school board was doing a good job, and that’s why she voted for Janet Harckham. “I think there’s a small group of people who are not happy about the superintendent choice but mostly people support what this board is doing.”

Carol Blank, 61, a retiree with no children who lives in Goldens Bridge, said she voted to pass the budget but not for the K-L bus proposition. “I see so many empty buses—I understand the state law requiring seats for all students—but how necessary is this? We should have our representatives out there to eliminate waste,” she said. “I voted yes for the budget because the tax increases are a way of life here and we have wonderful schools. I don’t have children but my friends do and I know that the education and athletics are wonderful.”

Martin Alcock, North Salem resident and father of a college student, said he voted for the budget and always does. “It’s a great system here. My daughter, who now attends Johns Hopkins Univeristy, got a lot out of the schools—from the arts and academics—she was happy all-around. It’s important to support the education here.”

Ruth Dombrow, 80, of Goldens Bridge, said she abstained from a budget vote because she didn’t know enough about the numbers to make an informed decision. But she got in her car and drove herself to the school to vote for write-in school board candidate Mark Dembo. “I’m upset about [the hiring of Paul Kreutzer of] Wisconsin. I think Mark will bring a different voice that is needed to the school board.”

Check back with Patch after 9 p.m. when the polls close and we report the results.

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