Susan Watson of Rye declared her candidacy for the County Board of Legislators June 24 on the Village Green. Westchester Republican Chairman Doug Colety and Rye City Councilmember Julie Killian were on hand to introduce Watson, who is vying to represent District 7, comprised of the City of Rye, the Town and Village of Mamaroneck, and parts of New Rochelle and Harrison.

By Tom McDermott

Susan Watson of Rye declared her candidacy for the County Board of Legislators June 24 on the Village Green. Westchester Republican Chairman Doug Colety and Rye City Councilmember Julie Killian were on hand to introduce Watson, who is vying to represent District 7, comprised of the City of Rye, the Town and Village of Mamaroneck, and parts of New Rochelle and Harrison.

District 7 is currently represented by Catherine Parker, also of Rye, who is completing her first two-year term, having succeeded longtime legislator Judy Myers. Parker, although a registered independent, ran on the Democratic line in 2013.

Watson told the paper that her primary focus in the campaign, and if elected to the BOL, is maintaining the lowest possible tax rates consistent with essential services, as well as good roads, and modern infrastructure.

“My biggest concern is property taxes. The communities in District 7 pay more than $100 million in County property taxes each year. To put that into perspective, fewer than 10% of Westchester communities are bearing the tax burden for 20% of the whole County. So, we need to look for ways to cut taxes or grow revenue without increasing the existing burdens on each of us.”

Asked what is needed to reduce Rye’s County tax equalization burden, Watson responded, “It’s a good question. At this point, my campaign is about asking the right questions, not about having all the answers.”

Watson believes that one way to grow the tax base is a business-friendly environment that with low taxes and limited regulation can attract more business and more jobs – “that’s the opposite of what’s happening in Connecticut right now,” emphasized Watson.

Watson, who is single, was born and raised in Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Economics and Social Sciences, and has an MA from City College. After ten years in the investment business and 20 more in investor relations, she joined the executive search firm Spencer Stuart in 2010.