Election Day: Voices from the Vote

Update, Nov. 8, 8:45 p.m.

A steady stream of voters strolling in to Peekskill High School gym to vote have different priorities as they head to the polls. Many agree that education and support for the city's youth is a key issue. Others mention the environment, Indian Point, speed bumps, supporting the library and litter.

"Education, the jobs issue, and, what is near and dear to my heart, giving youth opportunities," said Keith Stanton, a 20-year resident of Peekskill who has an 11 year old son. Stanton said he learned about the candidates from their door knocks and debate at his church, Mount Olivet Baptist, last Saturday.

The Karasinskis, nine-year residents of the city, say they learned about candidates from mailings and keeping up with the campaigns.

Ed Karasinski emphasized the importance of voting on the library proposal.

"In the old machines the lever was way up there," Ed said, saying few realize and vote on it. This year his election inspector notified him to flip the ballot over and vote on the proposal.

Four-year resident of Peekskill Odalis Burgas said she is "not too happy" with the current condition of the city, citing litter on the streets and fights at school. Her son is 10 years old. "Voting is very important for my kids," Burgas said.

Other voters reported they generally vote along party lines. Richard Talbot said he is one of those voters, but that he voted for John Testa for County Legislator because "I know him. He is a nice guy."

A young couple from Chapel Hill who voted tonight said that environment, closing Indian Point and supporting the library is important to them.

"I like what Foster has done with the city," Mike Sava said.

His wife Lynn explained that they are concerned with the environment and have been pushing Chapel Hill management to stop the use of pesticides in the development.

"They banned it in New York State for school fields," Lynn said, saying it should be banned for them too if it is not safe for the kids.

The Sava couple also said financial issues, taxes and the Field Library budget is important to them.

Stay tuned to Patch for updates as the numbers roll into Peekskill Democratic and Republican headquarters tonight. Polls close in 15 minutes!

___

Update, Nov. 8, 5 p.m.

Voters at Hillcrest Elementary school were annoyed by the new machines and long distance between the parking lot and gym, where voting is being held.

"I had trouble filling in the spots," said lifelong Democrat and Peekskill resident 87-year-old Jack Burns.

"Bring back the old machines," Burns said, explaining that he had to redo his ballot after messing up the first one.

Josephine Astrologo agreed with Burns and said she had a hard time understanding as well. Astrologo, 83, also agreed with Burns on the ballot, saying that she always votes democratic, like her husband did. Astrologo had hopped a ride to the polls on the PDCC Winnebago after a democratic representative called to offer her a ride.

Other elderly residents complained of the long walk they had to make from the parking lot to the gym. Some younger voters helped their older counterparts by driving them to the back door, others just helped them down the long hallways.

Election coordinators listening to complaints said the voting was supposed to be held in the cafeteria this year, as people complained about the distance last year as well, but there were teachers using it so they had to set up in the gym again.

Younger voters, who had no problem making it to the gym, said they came out to vote to support candidates who they feel share their family values and who value education.

"I will not vote for anyone talking about cutting the budget for schools or the library," said Sharon Lucas, 46. Lucas, who has lived in Peekskill for 11 years, added that she is willing to pay a higher property tax as long as the money goes towards education.

___

Update, Nov. 8, 3 p.m.

Mayor Mary Foster arrived at Peekskill Middle School to cast her vote around 2:30 p.m. "The campaign is done now so it is totally in the voters hands," she said.

Shortly after, Chamber of Commerce Director Deb Milone stopped by and had a few words to say about the important issues in the city.

"Economic development, taxes and continuing the revitalization programs like the firehouse...and overall bringing businesses and companies in that will create jobs is important," said Milone, who has not missed an election since she was 18 years old.

Parents of a 6-year-old, who was enjoying a lollipop from the Peekskill High School's national honors society bake sale, said they feel that jobs are important as well.

"We are really concerned with his future," Colleen and Richard Freda said, regarding their son.

"We are looking for a new regime to get in there...something has got to change," said Richard, who explained he learned about campaigns through his neighbor, who is a Republican candidate.

"We want to see the city build up," Colleen said.

___

Update, Nov. 8, 2 p.m.

Voter turn out is a little higher than expected here at Peekskill Middle School, according to Lou Netter, an election inspector working the vote here. About 320 people have turned out to vote as of 2 p.m., which is more than past years, Netter says. But he added, that he knows from experience the surge will come after work and up until around 8:30 p.m.

Voters say they have read candidates campaign literature and come out to vote either on the issues, for their party or simply to exercise their right to do so.

"If I don't vote, I can't complain," said Jim Booth, a 52-year-old lifelong resident of Peekskill. Booth said issues important to him include renewal of the Riverfront Green and having a strong community.

Joan and Richard Riesdoph, 42-year residents of Peekskill, said they vote because they will do "anything to have less spending." The Riesdoph's learned about candidates through mailers that came to their house and felt the campaign literature was clear and helpful.

Elizabeth Nimmons, an 89-year-old voter who is a loyal member of the Democratic party, said she voted along party lines again this year because she feels the candidates always try to do the right thing.

Nimmons voted at the Peekskill Nieghborhood Center, where about 80 people had come to vote by around 1 p.m.

There at the Center, one poll machine had broken at 6 a.m. and employees were still waiting for the Board of Elections to send someone to fix it. Many older residents voting at the Center were still uncomfortable with the new machines, polling employees said.

"The machines are for the birds," said Barbara Aleman, a 72-year-old retired cashier.

Aleman said she usually looks for endorsements to know who to vote for and this year visited the candidates' office and said, "I know they are good people," without revealing which candidates she had visited.

Check back with Patch throughout the day and night for more on Local Elections 2011.

___

Update, Nov. 8, 12:30 p.m.

Both the Republican City Committee (PRCC) and Democrat City Committee (PDCC) Chairs feel their parties have done a good job getting their message out to voters.

PDCC Chair Marina Ciotti told Patch she is proud of their campaign and believes the democrats “successful track” record has resonated with voters. PRCC Chair Vincent Vesce says he believes that his party has done a good job pointing out the current administration’s shortcomings and laying out how their policies would differ and address the city’s challenges. Read more in

Whose message resonated with you? Tell us in the comments.

____

Today is Election Day, a day to make your voice heard at the polls. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

For links to all of Patch's election stories including poll information, letters to the editor, endorsements and stories, visit our elections page.

For our Peekskill-Cortlandt November 2011 Election Guide, click . 

And for a list of the polling locations, 

Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch will be covering the elections today, so check with us for updates on voting and for the results as the numbers start rolling in. Also, like us on Facebook and follow us on twitter for real time updates while we are out in the field.