Meet the Candidates: Tarrytown

With local elections just days away (March 19) you wouldn't know it from lack of stirrings on the campaign front. Faced with no competition in either village, candidates have hardly had to go around pressing the flesh.

In Sleepy Hollow, the usual annual Philipsburg Manor debate will be a "candidates night" instead, likely more of a meet-and-greet. Sponsored by the Philipse Manor Improvement Association and the Sleepy Hollow Manor Association, the event will be held Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m. at the Restoration.

In Tarrytown, the veteran incumbents, with many years of collective service under their belts, freshened up their bios, photos at statements on the Tarrytown United webpage where candidates unite across party lines in addition to their cross endorsement from the Democratic party.

Here are highlights from Tarrytown United:

Drew Fixell, for Mayor (D)

Running unopposed for Tarrytown Mayor after eight years in mayoral office and another five as Trustee, Fixell has this to say:

• "Together with our Board of Trustees and our dedicated staff, we have made enormous strides in moving Tarrytown forward by welcoming debate, carefully listening to the many voices in our remarkably diverse community, working diligently to protect and enhance the services our residents need and deserve, and always seeking the most financially responsible policies and solutions.  
• "I am extremely proud of our record of enhancing the quality of life enjoyed in Tarrytown while at the same time maintaining a fiscally conservative approach that recognizes the difficult economic conditions our residents face."   
• "I look forward to building on that record over the next two years, as we will continue to seek new and more effective ways to provide essential services, protect our local environment, and keep our taxes as low as possible."

Becky McGovern, Trustee (I)

The "junior-most" candidate with a sizeable six years of trustreeship under her belt, writes this:

• "I am asking for your support in re-electing me so that I can continue my work as liaison to the Tarrytown Seniors, Tarrytown Housing Authorities, the Architectural Review Board and in my committee work on the Shared Services Task Force for Parks and Recreation and the Library Budget Board."
• "Not only have I spent the past 4 years learning in detail about the work of these committees, but I know we are all meeting together to problem-solve on behalf of the entire village.

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• "There are many more projects on the horizon for the Village that I look forward to working on as well: final work on our waterfront parks, continued vigilance on the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement planning, and oversight of our village's expenditures, tax structure and financial health."

Doug Zollo, Trustee (I)

This 10-year Trustee writes:

• "During my tenure as Trustee, I have had the good fortune to be the board liaison to the Tarrytown Fire Department. Working closely with the dedicated men and women of this department has given me insight into the many hours our firefighters spend training, caring for their equipment, and answering the call to duty. All of us owe Tarrytown’s Fire Department members, who always put village residents before themselves, a great debt of gratitude for service to the community."
• "Capital projects that languished for years were completed by the current Mayor and Tarrytown United’s Board of Trustees. Although borrowing was necessary to finance projects such as the Village Hall and the two new firehouses, it was done at favorable rates and in a manner that maintained a strong balance sheet and top bond rating. Keeping tax increases in check is always a major consideration. In fact, tax increases have been consistently in the low single digits for all the past years of our administration."

Tom Butler, Trustee (D)

Finally, this eight-year veteran Trustee writes:

• "I am proud to have served as a trustee for the past eight years and am still impressed with our strong Trustee 'TEAM', its dedication, its commitment, and its public service to the community. I especially enjoy our spirited debates on major issues, always ending with decisive resolutions."
• "As liaison to the Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board, and the Tarrytown Lakes Committee, I look forward to the continued work with these committed committee members to improve the quality of life for all the residents of Tarrytown. Also, I look forward to the continued oversight of New York State’s analyses and final decision on the replacement and reconstruction options for the aging Tappan Zee Bridge."
• "I would like to see the development of the Eastview Pump Station as a cultural center and clean water back-up source for Tarrytown; the construction of 12 new affordable housing units on the old Village Hall site at Wildey Street; and the continued search to find new revenue streams while reducing village property taxes."

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To read everyone's full bios, and more on their collective visions, visit the Tarrytown United webpage.

Do you have questions for candidates in either village? Share them below.

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