Fostering a relationship of trust between local law enforcement and our immigrant community is critical to the safety of all Ossining residents. How do we achieve that at a time when federal immigration policy is dictated by tweets that foment fear and division? At the Thursday, July 25, Village Board work session, we will discuss... Continue Reading →
A Progressive Solution for Affordable Housing in Ossining
An Open Letter from Mayor Victoria Gearity, Trustee Rika Levin, and Trustee Manuel Quezada There have been many voices in the public discussion of ETPA, the NYS rent stabilization program. We have actively sought to learn from articles, workshops, stakeholder meetings, community members, and housing and land use experts. A variety of options were considered as... Continue Reading →
ETPA Fails to Address Our Greatest Housing Challenges, and Actually Makes Them Worse
The Village of Ossining’s two greatest housing challenges are substandard housing and an inadequate supply of affordable housing for the people who need it most. ETPA does not address these concerns, and actually makes these problems worse. There has been a lot of misleading and misguided messaging surrounding the ETPA conversation. The good news for... Continue Reading →
The Community is Grieving
Ossining is grieving the tragic loss of Gregory Jackson. This weekend friends, family and community members gathered for a vigil. Hundreds have contributed to a GoFundMe page set up in his memory, already exceeding the campaign’s goal. The loss of a life so young forces us to face mortality head-on, and hopefully we learn to... Continue Reading →
2019: A Year for Optimism, Forgiveness & an Inclusive Thriving Community
I cherished a family filled holiday season to wrap up a very challenging year. Electoral success doesn't wipe out a year of stress, but by the end of a New Year's Day filled with the inauguration ceremony, OFD swearing in, and hours of celebrating with friends, family and supporters, I'm feeling exhilarated. (Do you recognize... Continue Reading →
Experience Matters, Elections Matter
Tomorrow, you, the Ossining community, will exercise your right to vote. I am grateful to have served these last four years, and I am asking for your support again tomorrow. My opponent agrees with me on many positions, but we differ on some very basic points. I advocate for smart growth guided by a vision... Continue Reading →
Candidates Forum: Thank You to All Who Participated
Thank you to all of the engaged community members who attended last night’s Candidates Forum. Thank you also to the League of Women Voters for moderating, and to the Ossining Chamber of Commerce for hosting the event. The best part of campaigning is connecting with residents who care deeply about our community. Last night’s forum... Continue Reading →
Enough Grandstanding, Ossining Needs Leaders to Work With the Community
Last night my opponent opened the meeting by attacking my campaign with misguided and desperate threats. Everything in my statement, posted last Friday is accurate and true. I am the candidate with the maturity and knowledge base to keep Ossining on an upward trajectory, as I have for two terms. No amount of noise or threats... Continue Reading →
Moratoriums Don’t Help Move Us Forward: Why New Rochelle won a $10 million development grant—and Ossining didn’t
Congratulations to our friends in New Rochelle for being awarded the $10M Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Grant. This is the first time a Westchester community has won. Ossining was a finalist again this year for the DRI. We have applied all three of the years it has been available, and we have been finalists twice.... Continue Reading →
Elect Candidates Who Reflect Your Values
I would like to join with my fellow members of the Town of Ossining Democratic Committee and Chairwoman Thomasina Laidley-Brown in denouncing the offensive tweets made by Working Families Party trustee candidate David Kezafrika. Our community is one of hope, diversity, aspirations and families. We are a village that works together and is stronger because... Continue Reading →