Q & A with Democratic Candidate for Common Council Kathleen Talbot

On Nov. 8 Peekskill voters will have a lot of choices to make. There are three open Common Council seats and the mayor is also up for reelection.

Democratic candidates Kathleen Talbot, Darren Rigger and Don Bennett (incumbent) are running for the Council seats. Mayor Mary Foster is running for re-election into what would be her third 2-year term.

Republican candidates Joe Brady, Steve Woods and Barbara Kerasiotes are running for the Council seats and Tony Washington is running for mayor.

Read more about the Republican candidates and the Democratic candidates .

Patch sent all candidates the following five questions and asked for brief responses. We will run a series featuring the responses over the next two weeks. Here is the first of our series, featuring Kathleen Talbot’s unedited answers. Read

Why are you running for political office?

To continue moving Peekskill to becoming the cultural, shopping, entertainment, recreation, dining and business hub of the Hudson Valley with flat taxes and the expanded revitalization of Main St. and the Monument Park neighborhood.

What do you feel makes you qualified to run for your position based on your professional and personal life?

A life-long Peekskill resident and homeowner, I believe in community involvement. I was a founding member of Peekskill Education Foundation, board member of Paramount Center for the Arts and Women in Communications. Democratic City and State Committees since 1970 (former vice chair; state committeeperson). A long-time small business owner and current NYS-licensed social worker, I will bring a unique combination of business and interpersonal skills to the city council.

What are the two or three of the most important issues facing Peekskill that you plan to tackle first if elected?

a. Monument Park area revitalization: seek residents’ input, increase police foot patrols, insure a good blend of residential and commercial.

b. Change communications dynamics between residents and the city, improve responsiveness to citizens’ needs, boost internal productivity.

How are your plans and solutions different from other candidates?

I support the Democrat’s vision of helping Peekskill become an exciting destination in the Hudson Valley with things to do, places to eat, a great river front, activities for families, and a warm, inviting community for everyone. I don’t support the idea of creating a “bedroom community” with the hopes that one day the city will just up and “happen.”  The Democrats under Mayor Foster are making it happen.

How do you measure the success of elected officials in Peekskill?

By the overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response we’re getting from residents while campaigning door-to-door, by keeping taxes flat and still making progress on streetscapes, storefronts, the riverfront development etc. during a prolonged economic downturn.

Editor's Note: Patch emailed all candidates the same exact questions on Sept. 12.