Q & A with Tony Washington, Republican Candidate for Mayor of Peekskill

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.

Patch sent all candidates the following five questions and asked for brief responses. This Q&A with mayoral candidate Tony Washington is the last of our series featuring the candidates' responses. Read Washington's biography . To view all candidates' responses click here.

We will continue to cover the election and campaigns.

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.

Candidates Steve Woods, Joe Brady and Barbara Kerasiotes are running for Council seats on the Republican slate with Tony Washington for mayor.

Read more about the Republican candidates and the Democratic candidates .

1.    Why are you running for political office?
♦    I’m running to bring common sense leadership and competence to city government, which the current administration’s failed to demonstrate as evidenced in part by:
a.    The Foster Administration’s arbitrary rejection of the will of the Common Council and the people of this city to move forward with approved retail development that would have brought critically needed jobs and tax revenue.  Had these opportunities been taken advantage of, the jobs would have been realized at the height of the recession. 
b.    Deficit spending and borrowing that has Peekskill on the brink of financial ruin, with a projected 2012 deficit of over $3 million.
c.    Putting the city in the business of real estate speculation, spending millions to buy land with no near-term plans that removed it from the tax rolls when they knew revenue streams were shrinking.
d.    An inability to deal effectively with everyone from municipal employees to customers of city services to anyone desiring to do business with the city, illustrated by disrupted council meetings, public protest demonstrations and a demoralized city workforce.
e.    A complete failure to effectively address quality of life issues including illegal rooming houses, loitering, filthy streets and crumbling infrastructure.

2. What do you feel makes you qualified to run for your position based on your professional and personal life?
♦    I’m a lifelong resident, educated in Peekskill schools.  I’ve worked my way from the bottom of an organization through multiple layers of management.  I’ve acquired a broad range of perspectives, knowledge, skills and experience from 40+ years in manufacturing.  My background includes experience in management, quality assurance, leadership development and human resources.  I’ve successfully led organizations exceeding 150 employees, made tough decisions and done it with respect for those who worked for me.  I listen.  I treat people the way I’d want to be treated.  I understand the power of diversity and how to leverage it for the good of an organization.
♦    I see Peekskill from a different perspective than some.  While I’ve achieved a modest measure of success, my youth was shaped by our family’s struggle to overcome poverty.  I’ve lived in public housing.  I know the value of an education, what can be accomplished with hard work and the power of hope that comes from knowing that anyone can succeed if given a fair chance.  I’ve never forgotten where I came from or what it took to get where I am today.  I’m grateful for the people who helped me and want to help those who still struggle.

3. What are two or three of the most important issues facing Peekskill that you plan to tackle first if elected?
♦    We’ll put the city’s financial house in order.  With revenue declining, we can’t continue to borrow and spend without the city facing financial ruin.  Services are being cut, a hiring freeze declared and blame placed everywhere except where it rightfully belongs, with Mary Foster and her administration.  No amount of budgetary trickery will prevent the inevitable outcome.
♦    We’ll address the challenges faced by the bedrock of our community, its struggling homeowners, taxpayers and those who want to work but can’t find a job.  We’ll entertain every credible opportunity to draw businesses and development to Peekskill that will create jobs, expand our commercial tax base, diversify our economy and provide relief and renewed hope in Peekskill’s future.
♦    We’ll bring our community together in an unprecedented way to address the chronic and acute issues that affect us all and do it in a way that respects every opinion and every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic standing or political affiliation.  I’m convinced that this is the key to sustainable progress; Progress for Peekskill. I want the best ideas for our city and its residents without regard to who has them or where they came from. 

4. How are your plans and solutions different from other candidates?
♦    We’ll simplify and streamline financial reporting so that people can see where and how their tax dollars are being spent.
♦    The current administration completely ignores hard working people who aspire to something greater.  I’ll work to build a diverse economy where all residents of Peekskill can benefit.  Restaurants, tourism and the artist’s community have a critical role to play but the “playing field” must be leveled to renew hope for people who want to succeed but need the right skills and an opportunity.
♦    We must tangibly improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods. We’ll bring residents of our “high risk” neighborhoods together to find broad-based, creative solutions to chronic problems that include, drug dealing, prostitution, dangerous overcrowding, loitering, litter, code violations and uneven enforcement of existing laws. 
♦    We’ll engage the school district in an unprecedented partnership to address issues of mutual concern.  Our purpose is not to interfere, but to find innovative ways to collaborate for the success of our community.  We’ll work with the School District to leverage our mutual resources, targeting projects that benefit the entire community so the taxpayers receive more value for their hard earned money than they currently receive.
5. How do you measure the success of elected officials in Peekskill?
♦    By the results they produce. 
Being well-intentioned and/or working hard are noble but meaningless without visible results.  Unfortunately for our residents, the results produced by the Foster Administration have been increased borrowing, irresponsible spending and a regression in neighborhood quality of life.  Real opportunities to put Peekskill’s residents back to work have been rejected.  Our council meetings are being endlessly disrupted due to Mayor Foster’s failure to deal effectively with issues brought forth by the public and her failure to lead on a wide variety of other issues.

♦    We’re not afraid of the accountability that comes with true leadership.  We’ll be fearlessly candid, truthful and open minded.  We’ll be active and inclusive listeners who are truly attentive to the needs of all of our residents, not just a few.  We’ll level the playing field so everyone has the chance to join in the prosperity that our policies will bring to Peekskill.  We’ll make no excuses nor blame others for things we should foresee, prepare for or control and we’ll focus on results; results that produce sustainable Progress for Peekskill - Not Politics.