Belmont Accepts GOP Endorsement, Will Run For Mayor

Ron Belmont has accepted the Republican endorsement to run for Harrison Mayor/Supervisor in fall of 2011, where he will look to unseat two-time uncumbent Joan Walsh.

Belmont, 58, has served as supervisor of the town's recreation department for 25 years and will run on a Republican ticket that includes former Mayor/Supervisor Stephen Malfitano and active Trustee Fred Sciliano. Those two will look to fill two open seats on the Town Board.

After officially retiring from the recreation department in September 2010, Belmont continues to head the department in an unnoficial role. He said this week that the thought of running for mayor originally entered his mind at a retirement party this fall, when he said a crowd of about 200 people urged him to throw his hat into this year's election.

"I didn't think much of it," he said of his original reaction. "It started snowballing and here we are."

Not a registered Republican, Belmont said if elected he would not hold a political affiliation while in office. Belmont added that he hopes to keep partisan politics out of town hall.

"I want to bring the whole town together," he said, citing his work in the recreation department, which over the years has brought recreation leagues once separated into West Harrison, Purchase and Harrison into one larger community.

Belmont said restoring Harrison's image will a key issue over the next term. He cited at times out of control town board meetings and negative publicity as reasons Harrison's home sales have diminished over the last few years. He said he hopes to keep this year's campaign positive by avoiding the mudslinging that has become a trademark of past Harrison elections.

He plans to create an atmosphere of respect in town hall, that will start at the top and trickle down to the Town Board, department heads, town workers and residents.

"The past couple of years we've been suffering, a lot of bad press, I'm going to end all of that and move forward with good news, everything is going to be positive from here on out," he said.

With that attitude he hopes to bring back the image Harrison once had as a destination in Westchester County and New York State.

"It's all about respect," he said. "We have to embrace people, you can't antagonize people, we have to embrace everyone."

Walsh intends to headline a Democrat ticket that will include current Trustee Pat Vetere, who has confirmed he intends to seek another term. The final seat on the Democrat side has not been confirmed.

Belmont said he will continue his work in the recreation department, and doesn't foresee any issues working with Walsh during the campaign season.

"I still consider her my boss," Belmont said. "I say hello to her, I report to her, I go to department meetings, obviously she's still my boss but unofficially."

Michael LaDore, a Republican who earlier this year, will have the option of pursuing a primary election or running independently. He has not made an official statement as to his future plans.

At Thursday evening's town board meeting LaDore and Belmont, who would run against one another in the possible primary election, were talking and smiling moments after the meeting, providing hope that this year's election could be as cordial as Belmont said he hopes.

"I'm passionate about this place," Belmont said. "I just want to make it better."