The November 2 election will determine the effectiveness of Rye’s government for the next four years. Eight candidates are running on five party lines for five seats. Here’s the breakdown.
Candidates for Mayor:
Josh Cohn (Democratic, Republican, and Moving Rye Forward lines)
Danielle Tagger-Epstein (Working Families Party line)
Candidates for four-year City Council seats (choose three):
Bill Henderson (Republican and Common Cause lines)
Julie Souza (Democratic and Republican lines)
Ben Stacks (Democratic and Republican lines)
Lisa Tannenbaum (Democratic line)
Candidates for two-year City Council seat to fill vacancy (choose one):
Josh Nathan (Democratic line)
Jana Seitz (Republican line).
Flooding from Ida was devastating; everyone agrees better flood control is urgent. The incumbents – Cohn, Souza, Stacks – also plan to continue road repair and infrastructure upgrades; maintain strong fiscal oversight; protect Rye’s environment and quality of life, update the Master Plan; and put forward a Milton Harbor dredge plan. As far as I know, all candidates agree with these priorities.
Interestingly, the issue on which candidates differ most seems to be the election itself. Should voters choose local elected officials for their party affiliation? Or for their character and experience? Some candidates are passionate advocates of partisanship.
The incumbents are not only nonpartisan, but proud of it. They describe themselves as “community-focused leaders who stay above the political fray.” Similarly, Mr. Henderson has made “Keep partisan politics out of Rye” a central campaign promise.
Although I’m a lifelong Democrat and former chair of the Rye Democratic Committee, I’ve come to realize that few if any local issues in a town like Rye have any ideological component. In my opinion, this makes party affiliation virtually irrelevant in our local elections. I would agree completely if a modern-day Fiorello LaGuardia said there’s no Democratic or Republican way to tame Blind Brook.
Whichever approach you favor, mark your calendars for Election Day, November 2. Early voting (October 23-30) and absentee voting are available as well. You can find more information on the Westchester County Board of Elections website, citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com.
- Meg Cameron
