Jun 6, 2007
For the Lewisboro Town Board and more
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Town seats up for grabs
Names of different people and positions have been swirling for weeks along with rumors of who will be running and for what seats in the town election this fall. But finally, the Democrats and the Republicans have made their endorsements and are ready to go public with their definitive slate of candidates — almost.
That’s because it still remains unclear who the Democrats will push for the town supervisor seat, the highest elected official in Lewisboro. Alan Cole, Democratic Town Committee co-chairman, told The Ledger that while “we’ve made a decision internally,” party officials will remain “mum” on their choice until they reveal it at their campaign kickoff later this month. The candidate will be one of the three men the party has endorsed for the Town Board — incumbent Edward Brancati, school board member Bruce Pavalow or newcomer Dan Welsh. In addition to the town supervisor post, there are two other seats available.
The Republicans are more revealing in their choice for town supervisor — current Town Board member Peter DeLucia. They are also endorsing newcomer Peter Clark and former Town Supervisor Thomas Herzog for the two other Town Board seats, which are available because Suzanne Whalen is not seeking re-election and Mr. Brancati’s term ends this year. Mr. DeLucia would keep a seat on the Town Board regardless of the election results because his term does not expire until the end of 2009. The Ledger learned of the endorsements on Tuesday.
In addition to the Town Board positions, the Republicans are endorsing longtime Town Clerk Kathy Cory for re-election and John Pappalardo to replace incumbent Susan Simon, whom the Democrats are backing, as Town Court justice. Both parties are endorsing incumbent Peter Ripperger for highway superintendent. In the open seat for the Westchester Country Board of Legislators, 2nd District, the Democrats are endorsing Peter Harckham of Katonah while the Republicans are backing Wendy Gerber Friedman of Cross River.
Campaign kickoffs
The Republican campaign kickoff is on Monday, June 25, from 7 to 10 p.m., at Nino’s Restaurant on Route 123. All the candidates, including Ms. Gerber Friedman, will attend. Special guests will include state Senator Vincent Leibell and Ursula LaMotte, who is stepping down as county legislator at the end of the year.
The Democrats will announce their choice for town supervisor at their campaign kickoff event on Thursday, June 14, at 7 p.m. at the Cyrus Russell Community House in Cross River. The public is invited for refreshments and to meet the Democratic slate of candidates, including Mr. Harckham.
“We’re excited about the opening of this year’s campaign,” said Mr. Cole. “We think we have an exceptional group of candidates — among the strongest we’ve ever put on the ballot. They are all very hard workers possessed of considerable talent, energy and experience.”
Christina Rae, Democratic co-chair, agreed.
“We’re particularly pleased to launch this campaign on Flag Day, to remind people that patriotism means participation in the democratic process,” she said. “And we hope to encourage a large voter turnout this fall.”
All the candidates except for Mr. Clark and Mr. Ripperger are being endorsed solely by the party to which they are registered to vote. Mr. Clark is being backed by the Republicans despite being a registered Democrat and Mr. Ripperger is being endorsed by both parties. At this point, there will be a race for every available town seat except for highway superintendent and town clerk, as Ms. Cory is running unopposed.
DeLucia for supervisor
Mr. DeLucia said the countless hours he has spent working for the town on numerous projects is proof that he has the energy and work ethic necessary to be Lewisboro’s town supervisor.
“I’m out there, I’m trying to work with everyone and work for the people,” he said.
“I want to continue to work with all sides of politics for the better interest of the town. I think I could excel at this.”
He cited his accomplishments on the Town Board since joining it 18 months ago, including being the board’s liaison to the pool project, spearheading the building of the concession stand at the town park and other work on recreation issues and projects. Mr. DeLucia also pointed to his involvement in ongoing issues and projects, such as making the building at Onatru Farm compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and plans for a new library at the town park, among others, as reasons to elect him to the top town post.
“I’m on top of everything going on,” said Mr. DeLucia, who has lived in town for 11 years.
In addition to the Town Board, he has been a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Conservation Advisory Council.
“As a Town Board member, Peter was Ed [Mahoney]’s right hand in shepherding such projects as the town pool, the Little League field and improved wetlands procedures,” said Wayne Coluccini, Republican Town Committee chairman. “He worked closely with Ed to deliver a sound, zero-increase budget which began a phased project to repair our dilapidated roads.”
If Mr. DeLucia is elected town supervisor, his current position on the board — which is not up for election until 2009 — will be available to be filled by appointment by the Town Board beginning Jan. 1. That seat would then be subjected to a town vote in 2008, because of state law regarding Town Board appointments, and again in 2009, as that is when the original term ends.
Town Board candidates
Three of the candidates for the Town Board are newcomers to politics — at least on the town level.
Mr. Pavalow, a Democrat, has been on the Katonah-Lewisboro school board since 2004 but did not seek re-election this spring. Mr. Pavalow, a 15-year resident of Vista, fought to eliminate wasteful spending in the school budget despite often facing opposition from fellow school board members.
“As a Town Board member, I will use my project management experience and skills to assist in successfully completing these projects,” Mr. Pavalow said. “I am in a unique position, having served as a school board member, where I could act as a liaison in working together with school board members to address challenges such as sports and recreation fields for our children.”
Mr. Clark, who has lived in town for 17 years, said not being a politician would work to his advantage should he be elected to the board.
“I’m not a politician. It’s not my thing,” he said. “I just think I can be beneficial to the town. And I think the job is a commonsense job.”
Mr. Clark serves on the Architectural & Community Appearance Review Council, is president of the soccer club and is a Cub Scout den leader. Despite being a registered Democrat, he said he is running on the Republican ticket in part because he is “not enthralled with the existing Democratic Party in this town” and also because he does not “think partisan politics has any place in local government.”
A 40-year Lewisboro resident, Democratic candidate Mr. Welsh said he would draw on his local roots and global perspective to work for the town. Mr. Welsh has been a database manager and program manager for the Harrison School District, among other jobs, and an activist for environmental and social justice causes.
“I believe Lewisboro residents will back climate change initiatives that have context.
They will support an active program to meet the sustainable development challenges we face if they are brought into the process of crafting that program. I hope to help facilitate that as part of this very capable and dedicated team of candidates,” Mr. Welsh said of the Democratic slate.
Political experience
Thomas Herzog is no newcomer to politics or running on the Republican ticket. He served as town supervisor for nearly seven years, despite an unsuccessful bid for the Town Board last year. Mr. Herzog, who still attends many Town Board meetings, said he is well versed in all the current issues before the board and has the political experience and governmental knowledge to accomplish much as a board member.
“Although I agree with the notion that getting an infusion of younger people into the process of governing the town is desirable, I also feel that there must be balance. I offer the experience, know-how, and a wealth of ‘institutional knowledge’ about town government that has been missing from town government for the last four years,” said Mr. Herzog, a lifelong Lewisboro resident who has had leaderships roles with the Lewisboro Baseball Association, the South Salem Fire Department and two community theater groups over the years, as well as having worked as the town’s parking enforcement officer.
He will again be up against Democratic candidate Mr. Brancati, who won the seat Mr. Herzog was seeking last year. In addition to his local work this year, Mr. Brancati, a John Jay High School 1994 graduate, has governmental experience, having worked as an assistant to Vice President Al Gore and Congresswoman Nita Lowey. With Ms. Lowey, his job was working with local municipalities. He said that position taught him how to acquire county, state and federal grants — which he has actively pursued since taking office last fall, among other proposals.
“I’m working on a lot,” he said. “I’d like to be able to continue that for the public.”
Mr. Brancati said he has met with the heads of the local fire, police and ambulance corps departments to work on drafting an emergency management plan for the town. He also was instrumental in formalizing the lakes committee, and is working on forming a committee on storm water management.
Town justice
Susan Simon, a longtime Lewisboro resident who has been active in many local organizations over the years, is seeking re-election as town court justice. The Democratic candidate will be challenged by John Pappalardo, a 16-year resident of Lewisboro, who has been backed by the Republicans. Mr. Pappalardo has coached youth sports and is currently the vice president of the Lewisboro Lions Club. He is also a partner in the law firm of Farber, Pappalardo and Carbonari, and is a trial attorney, arbitrator, mediator, and member of the faculty for the American Arbitration Association.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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