Patch Candidate Profile: Fois Seeks Eastchester Town Council Seat

EASTCHESTER, NY — Election season 2023 election is here and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Robert A. Fois is one of three people vying for a seat on the Eastchester Town Council. The others are Sheila Marcotte and Anthony S. Giacobbe.

Fois is a Program Specialist for Westchester County government, handling Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board, Business Services, Community Engagement and Outreach. He has more than 25 years of experience as a journalist, including: WVOX, news director & on-air host; Empire State Report magazine, editor, reporter & columnist; New York Independent Film Monitor, business editor, film critic & reporter; Hometown Media, reporter, photographer & columnist; News Copy, New York, online news editor & columnist for one of the country's first statewide blogs.

The 61-year-old has long been active in politics. He told Patch he was responsible, with the Conservative Party, for delivering "the margin of victory" in almost every contested election in Eastchester since 2003. He has 35 years involvement on national, congressional, state, county, state legislative, county legislative, judicial, citywide and town wide campaigns (and a lifetime of volunteering on Republican campaigns).

For the Conservative Party he has served as: Chairman of the Eastchester Town Conservative Committee; Executive Committee member, New York State Conservative Party; Vice Chairman, Westchester County Conservative Committee. He is a former Westchester County Young Republicans officer. A volunteer on pro-life initiatives since 1976, he has been active with the Westchester Right-To-Life in support of candidates since 1989. He graduated from Iona University.

Campaign website: bobfois.com

Patch: Why are you seeking this office?

Fois: I want Eastchester to remain an affordable and safe place to live. I am concerned that the work on the former Lord & Taylor's property is taking too long due to bureaucratic delays in Town Hall and that a slowed response could cost our town significant tax revenue. Helping to make this new development happen the right way is critically important to keeping our taxes low.

I am seeking a position on the Eastchester Town Board because I believe that I can provide an outspoken and engaged level of public service to my hometown. The communities of Eastchester, Tuckahoe and Bronxville deserve a more open and responsive government out of Eastchester Town Hall.

My candidacy also represents the only competitive election against the Eastchester Town Board this year. I believe voters deserve at least one choice for town board on Election Day. Finally, I am running to preserve and protect the Conservative Party ballot — since I am the only candidate running on the Conservative Party line in Eastchester, Tuckahoe or Bronxville this year.

Patch: What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Fois: I am willing to debate. My two opponents said "no" to a candidates forum that was being planned by the League of Women Voters. I feel this is very unfortunate, especially since there are so many important issues affecting residents that the three of us could have discussed.

I speak up and won't be another silent "yes" vote on the town board. I am independent of any political control and will be able to provide the residents a more independent voice in Town Hall. Over the years, I have gained more experience in public speaking, journalism, broadcasting and public information than the other two candidates seeking this position. I have lived in Eastchester most of my life. I grew up in Green Knolls, presently live on Garth Road and have maintained civic involvement throughout town for nearly 40 years. Unlike the other two candidates, I will dare to disagree constructively with Eastchester Town Supervisor Tony Colavita though also provide him with the help he needs from me as an Eastchester Town Councilmember to serve the people of our town.

Patch: What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

Fois: Keeping Eastchester affordable while still maintaining the delivery of critical service, particularly public safety. Residents want Eastchester to remain safe and affordable. Families need the town board to hold taxes down though they also want the wonderful work of our police department to be supported in every way, form and manner. Property owners need the Eastchester Town Board to continue holding down taxes and reducing spending, while still finding ways to deliver critical services and maintaining our quality of life. This includes finding ways to make our zoning process less expensive and time-consuming, while still maintaining the critically-important reforms to the zoning code that have been instituted over the past 20 years under Eastchester Town Supervisor Tony Colavita.

Patch: How would you address the affordable housing issue in the community?

Fois: I support how our town government wants to allow the construction of housing for local seniors by companies in the private sector. I do not support government-mandated housing or interference by municipal authorities to bypass our local zoning. I support the Constitutional rights of property owners. I support the Constitutional rights of local municipalities to determine their own zoning. I fully support the town's legal challenges to allow a higher percentage of housing to be built for seniors. I would also suggest that there could be local private housing initiatives for first responders and older Veterans in need.

Patch: How would you protect the drinking water in the community?

Fois: We should continue to support any initiatives to keep our reservoirs clean, including sensible oversight that prevents leachate from development too close to watersheds.

Patch: What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Fois: Our town can benefit from a more open and responsive government. With the closure of radio stations and newspapers throughout our region, we suffer tragically from a severe lack of news coverage. I believe our town board must take the lead in cultivating a greater use of our public access channels on cable, including encouraging and moderating local public affairs programming by residents and those in Town Hall.

For 20 years, we have put forth worthwhile reforms of our zoning that must be maintained but bureaucracy slows down approvals. Both homeowners and businesses should not have to face such delays, especially since this affects our individual quality of life and the town's economic development (and our tax base). Major work on the former Lord & Taylor's property could be delayed due to such a time-consuming process. The same delays have occurred with local businesses, restaurants and coffee shops trying to open or expand their businesses. Our zoning laws are critically important though so is our tax base. Our retail economy needs all the help it can get to generate more tax revenue, so that property owners don't get caught paying higher taxes. I propose the establishment of a citizens' committee working with the town to come up with new solutions to cooperatively streamline what is done by the zoning/planning boards and the building department.

Patch: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Fois: My professional work in journalism and broadcasting leaves me qualified to improve public information throughout Eastchester. I want to see Eastchester and the two villages expand their use of our public access channels on cable. Whether I am elected or not, I want to spearhead a public information initiative that brings more of our resident's civic, charitable and volunteer efforts live on local cable.

My experience in government and my exposure to elected officials on every level of government throughout New York State leaves me prepared to be your public servant. Both as a journalist and a government employee, I gained an understanding of the inner workings of bureaucracies and intergovernmental affairs that could be extremely helpful to the town (and the villages). I am also involved around town as a volunteer and I like helping out.

Both as a journalist and with elected officials, I have learned a lot over the years about municipal budgeting within every level of government.

Patch: What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Fois: Don't go into politics: Focus on your family and maintain a profession that allows you the freedom and independence to pursue your personal interests. We are here as public servants to represent and help our community, selflessly and charitably = to give back to our town. It should never be the "be-all and end-all" of our existence. Anyone pursuing elected office can NEVER be dependent on a politician or a political job for employment or favors of any kind. In that same spirit and advice, always try to cultivate a well-rounded life that includes creativity, service, family and finding one's bliss. There is so much more to life than just politics.

Patch: Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Fois: I have studied drama and screenwriting, as well as reviewing films professionally and writing about independent film. I am planning to launch a podcast about the film business in the coming months, as well as a podcast about the job market to help job seekers get back to work. My job in workforce development is focused on matching job seekers with employers, along with providing job training. I have also written about economic development, municipal finance and local government throughout New York State. I enjoy my volunteer work with our local Knights of Columbus council, as well as helping out the Friends of the Ward House to preserve that historic landmark . As a good neighbor and resident, I try to be there to help out with any local issue on Garth Road and anywhere around town.