Ossining Voters Speak Out on Election Night

As night falls on Ossining people can be seen going in and out of polling places. Voters have a lot on their minds this evening, and taxes seem to be at the top of their list. "Taxes and jobs. There are too many stores closing. I get so sad when I see these stores going under. There's a lot of people out of work. It's just disgusting," said Ossining resident Bridgette Kenney as she and her husband Ed headed into the polling place.

"I'm just voting for people that I think are going to do the right thing and represent the people of Ossining—and keep in mind all the aspects. Not just cutting taxes, but cutting taxes for the right reasons—and not negatively affecting our town," said Melissa Shandroff.

Sarah Sheridan, who has lived in Ossining for 53 years, says she was paying about $600 a year in property taxes when she moved here. "Hopefully they won't keep spending money and making it up in taxes. The taxes here are kind of formidable. My husband just went into a nursing home. So I'm more conscious of the taxes now."

"The property taxes are driving a lot of older people like myself out. They're moving to states where it's more reasonable," said Ossining resident Marie Nolan. "I've  been living here for 69 years… you have to keep paying the school taxes here. I have a cousin who lives in Delaware—where if you're 65 you don't have to pay the school taxes."

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19-year Ossining resident Marcy Grey says Ossining's taxes are par for the course. "Taxes have risen all over the place. Where are you going to go where you're not paying a lot in taxes? And I happen to love Ossining and wouldn't think of living any place else. But people are struggling. They're having a hard time. There's no place you're going to go where your taxes are being lowered."

While property taxes were on many voters' minds, Karen Verdejo has been concerned about the possibility of more consolidation between the town and the village. "There's a lot of things happening, but not enough information outside. I'm hearing a lot about tax decreases, but I don't see it. Nobody sees it. Consolidation is good, but if it's not going to save us any money then let's not go that route. Especially because it means some jobs could be lost."