In Peter, Meg, Terry, and Julie We Can Trust
Dear Rye Record,
I am voting for Peter Jovanovich, Independent for Mayor, and Meg Cameron, Democrat and Julie Killian and Terry McCartney, Republicans for City Council this year.
Why? As a longtime resident my instinct has always told me to seek out candidates (regardless of party affiliation) in local elections who believe in the social contract that candidates are elected to serve the public trust and not to satisfy personal ambition or seek individual enrichment.
Unfortunately we have all seen over the last years a general coarsening of the public dialogue here in Rye. Whether in City Council meetings or in our community-based media, it seems that confrontation is valued over finding consensus. Affixing blame is prioritized at the expense of working together to resolve issues and find solutions. Consequently, our trust in them to do what is right suffers at the hands of individual ambition.
I believe it is now so important that we the voters of Rye try our best to return our city to a higher standard for public service and support candidates that can lead Rye without the bonds of petty politics and hidden agendas. There should be no place in our City for party politics or influence at the Council level or on our volunteer commissions or advisory committees.
While I understand and appreciated the effort all of the candidates are making, I believe that Peter, Julie, Terry, and Meg possess the temperament and experience to rise above partisan motives and can build consensus to find solutions to the challenges facing our wonderful city. That is why I will be voting for them on November 5.
Sincerely,
Peggy Pierce Peters
Sack Is the Right Man for the Job
Dear Rye Record,
I have lived in Rye for almost my entire life. I think Rye, for numerous reasons, is the perfect place to live. Unfortunately, recent events involving the Golf Club, the City Council, and the Mayor’s office have for the first time forced me to question the ethical values of our city government. I am rarely politically active and usually not too concerned with local elections. That being said, it is quite obvious as a community we need to pay special attention to the upcoming elections. This is our opportunity to secure honest and accountable leadership.
Over the last three years I have spent many hours with Joe Sack on the baseball diamond, at my home, and at Osborn School. It is clear to me that Joe is the solution to the problems that our city now faces. Rye needs a straight-forward mayor with no hidden agendas. Joe, as his past proves, is an honest, trustworthy, and accountable man. I have witnessed him make promises, small and large, to various citizens throughout his time on the city council, and always keep them. That may seem like a simple task, but recent activities in Rye government have shown otherwise. I believe Joe Sack can uncover corruption and help fix our broken government.
Joe is a loyal father, a husband, a friend, and a coach. All of these roles he has filled with great care, compassion, focus, and integrity. I know that Joe will approach his job as mayor with the same level of excellence while exemplifying these same qualities. As a proud resident of Rye I am disheartened by the recent transgressions by the current mayor and some City Council members. We, as a tight-knit, proud community, cannot allow history to repeat itself. Joe Sack has a proven track record and in my opinion is exactly what Rye needs. I may not know the nuances of politics but I know Joe Sack and admire his values as a father, a husband, and as a man.
Please consider voting for Joe Sack. He is truly the right person for the job.
Sincerely,
Jim Richardson Jr.
Preserve Community, Vote for Verni
Dear Rye Record,
I am writing this letter in support of John Verni, who is running for the County Board of Legislators. I have known Mr. Verni for many years. He is a person of deep intelligence and integrity. Most recently, we had an extensive conversation regarding many different issues facing Westchester County, but the issue I was most impressed with was his understanding of the need for historic preservation.
Mr. Verni is responsible for the historic restoration of the Mamaroneck train station. This knowledge of historical restoration is especially important, as Westchester County has undertaken the restoration of Playland. I know that he is committed to ensuring that Playland is restored to its former glory but more importantly that it becomes economically sustainable.
Along with the restoration of Playland, Mr. Verni also understands the importance of preserving our historic family homes. Increased assessments and rising taxes are putting pressure on owners of historical homes to sell out to developers, who oftentimes tear down the old home and replace it with two or three homes. This type of development ruins the character of our community and puts pressure on our already over-burdened infrastructure. Mr. Verni has assured me if elected he will work to further reduce the County Property tax burden.
I own an old home just a stone’s throw away from Playland and my business is in antiques. So I fully appreciate Mr. Verni’s unique understanding of historic preservation, coupled with his pledge to not increase the property tax burden, which makes him an ideal candidate. This is why I hope that everyone votes for Mr. Verni this coming election day.
Sincerely,
Amos Balaish
Jason Mehler Is the Guy for Rye
Dear Rye Record,
Please allow me this opportunity to personally and professionally support Jason Mehler as a Candidate for Rye City Council. I have known Jason personally and professionally for over seven years and his qualifications and experience make him an ideal candidate for the City of Rye.
Jason is extremely detailed oriented, and understands complex issues and the meaning of a sense of urgency. His background as an auditor/accountant will make him a great asset to the Council in many areas. He has a high level of integrity and is also very persistent, which is an excellent quality to have during these difficult times.
Jason will be a strong advocate for all of the people he represents. I am certain Jason will do his best to make Rye City a better place for future generations. Vote for him on November 5.
Sincerely,
Fatin Beiner
Nobody Better Than Julie Killian To Care for Our Community
Dear Rye Record,
Whoever coined the phrase, “If you need something done, give it to a busy person,” must have had Julie Killian in mind. My family and I returned to Rye 18 months ago after a long absence and even though things seemed familiar, I also felt a bit like a newcomer, too. After getting my kids settled at Rye schools, I knew I wanted to get involved in the community, as well as find an outlet for the writing I had done while living abroad. I was introduced to Julie through a friend from Japan and I briefly explained what I was looking for. She took the time to meet with me, brainstorm ideas, help point me in the right direction and followed up afterwards to make sure things were moving in the right direction.
To this day, Julie continues to email me about community events that I might be interested in — completely unsolicited. I give her credit for many of the wonderful opportunities I’ve been able to take advantage of since returning.
Since our initial meeting over coffee, it seems that Julie is everywhere, always saying and doing what needs to be said and done. She is involved in so many aspects of our community and she takes the time to really understand situations and try to effect change where necessary and in smart and efficient ways. And she does all this with a large and active family.
Julie has a great sense of humor, is extremely smart and concerned with issues both large and small and I can’t think of a better person to have on the Rye City Council taking care of our beautiful town and the people who call it home.
Sincerely,
Lisa Jardine
McCartney Has the Experience and the Skills
Dear Rye Record,
It is with pleasure that I endorse Terry McCartney for City Council of Rye. I have known Terry for over 15 years. We share common roots and I understand the culture and values he was raised in. I understand the hard work and dedication involved to attend Virginia Military Institute and the US Marine Corps. I can only imagine being a veteran going to law school with a small child at home. Terry McCartney is a very gifted individual.
I have been fortunate to spend enough hours with Terry to witness his skills as a coach, compassionate parent of a handicapped child, husband, golfer, and humanitarian. “Coach McCartney has had the greatest impact on me as a young man of any coach I ever had,” said Ted Ice.
As my involvement with the V Foundation for Cancer Research increased, Terry was right there by my side to volunteer and participate with enthusiasm. His selfless desire to teach the Rye community to box, both boys and their mothers again shows you just how Terry’s skills and enthusiasm just makes things happen.
As a former Board of Education member and President, I feel I have a unique understanding of the many challenges and demands of an elected trustee in the complex City of Rye. Terry very much cares about his community and understands the concept of giving back and making a difference. Terry has shown a tremendous capacity to be current, synthesize the issues, maintain a non-biased rational view and calmly think through and advise.
Rye is a town of varied interests with high expectations. Terry has a unique demeanor to work with people, mediate special interests, earn and accept leadership and work toward a favorable outcome. Add to that a tremendous work ethic and endurance and you have the tools for a very successful trustee of the city of Rye.
I believe Rye is extremely fortunate to have someone of Terry’s experience, background, character and skill set willing to take on position of City Council of Rye. I strongly endorse Terry McCartney.
Sincerely,
Michael Ice
Don’t Let Election Day in Rye Become a Political Pay Day
Dear Rye Record,
Never before in my 25 years of volunteer public service in Rye have I seen this: a very long list of corporate donations substantially funding a candidate in our local election, Joe Sack. This is unprecedented. What single issue do they have in common? Land use. Many of the developers, engineers, lawyers, architects, and contractors working inside and outside of Rye, who benefit from the high demand of Rye real estate, contributing the maximum amount by law. Yonkers-style politics has come to Rye via the billion-dollar real estate market.
How does this impact you? The over-sized house being built next to you; the stormwater runoff from new development that comes onto your property; the over-sized variance that was just granted in your neighborhood; or the resulting over-crowding of our schools that is becoming more common.
In his role as Chairman of the Republican Committee, Tony Piscionere handpicked his former colleague Joe Sack as the Mayoral candidate of the party. It was Tony’s decision in 2007 to cross-endorse a single slate for Council that included Joe, and effectively took the decision away from the voters as to who would sit on Council.
Tony is also on the Zoning Board of Appeals and is in line to be its next chairman. The board reviews all variance applications and appeals of Board of Architectural Review decisions. Both Tony and Joe Sack are pro development and have opposed my picks for our land-use boards and commissions (Planning, Zoning, and Board of Architectural Review). They have opposed the measures the Council is reviewing that will limit the mass and scale of new residential development.
As Mayor, I have rejected political party leadership influence to appoint developer-friendly members to our land-use boards and commissions, and have worked to pass legislation that will protect our neighborhoods from over-sized development and stormwater management.
That all changes November 5 if Joe Sack is elected Mayor.
There are many decisions to be made by the new Mayor with long-term impacts on policy and its implementation: a Judgeship, Corporation Counsel, two potential Council vacancies, Chairs of land-use boards, members of land-use boards, members of other boards and commissions, Rye Town Park Manager positions, and many more.
As you head into the voting booth this Tuesday, remember, this Election is not about what is in it for you, it is about what is in it for them. Let’s continue to have a government that is independent and free of political influence. Vote Peter Jovanovich for Mayor.
Douglas French,
Mayor
