Letter to the Editor: I will vote No on the proposed referendum to institute a ward system
October 21, 2011
by Rob Greenstein
After attending Monday’s panel discussion by the League of Women Voters, I am now convinced that a ward system would not be good for New Castle. And rather than saying Millwood is a victim of the current system, I think we could learn from Millwood.
This past Monday night I attended the discussion on the referendum that will be on the November ballot. This referendum would expand the number of at-large seats on the Town Board from four to six, and to have those six members run for election from six geographic wards.
My first letter regarding this referendum listed my concerns. At that time, I had not yet formed an opinion; I wanted to learn more about it. Now I believe it would not benefit our town.
In my opinion, this referendum will restrict those willing to run. We may be preventing a member of our community—who would be an asset to the board—from serving just because he or she happens to live in the same ward as another qualified candidate. Multiple candidates from the same ward would be forced to primary each other, whereas there might be vacancies in other wards. We need policies that encourage more people to run, not restrict qualified candidates. We need policies that will lead to more contested elections, not fewer.
I believe that having representatives from each of six separate wards would fracture our community. A ward system would pit neighbors against each other, and create unnecessary divisiveness in our town government. The board members would have their initial allegiance to their ward, instead of the Town of New Castle. A ward system could lead to gridlock.
And I don’t think it’s a good idea to have all six at-large members change at the same time. It would be too disruptive for town government. Right now at-large members serve four-year terms—and elections are staggered, with two of the four seats up for election every two years. The Supervisor serves for a two-year term.
Lastly, I don’t feel comfortable not knowing the boundaries of the wards. These ward boundaries would be drawn by the Westchester County Board of Elections. Right now, it’s a big unknown.
Millwood and West End are not ignored
It has been suggested by Manny Areces (as a panelist in favor of the referendum) and by Republicans in their press conferences that Millwood and the West End will continue to be ignored unless we adopt this ward system. I don’t think that is an accurate concern, nor is it fair. As Supervisor Gerrard (a panelist opposed to the referendum) pointed out in her statement, the current town board undertook a number of projects in Millwood and the West End:
$2.6 million on a Hudson Hill water storage tank
$1.4 million on Gedney Park
$700,000 for open space and park land on the West End
$446K on the Route 133 wall at the A&P and on Allapartus Road
The Town Board encouraged the development of the townhouses across from the old station house and John Demeo’s Thru way Gas Station. And just this month, the town board commissioned “Welcome to Millwood” signs and a redesign of the sign board at the A & P.
As far as sewers, over the past several years, Supervisor Gerrard has been pushing to connect the Yeshiva, River woods, and Random Farms developments, all of which have failing septic systems, to the existing county trunk line located along NYS Route 100. While this may or may not come to fruition, many feel that we are closer than ever.
As I’ve previously mentioned, it was wise for the Town Board to include Random Farms, Riverwoods and Yeshiva on the same sewer application as Chappaqua Crossing. By combining this application, with the promise of affordable housing units at Chappaqua Crossing, it may expedite a solution. The proposed application has been processed and the legislation is being considered now.
Chappaqua could learn from Millwood
I think everyone would agree that Millwood has a great mix of retail in its business district—and not a lot of vacancies.
As far as the Millwood Task Force, they are open and encourage audience participation. Town board members and/or administrators come to Millwood on the first Thursday of every month and sit in the audience, in the hot seat(s), to answer questions from task force members. Members of the public (a lot of them, including myself, are now candidates) in attendance are encouraged to ask questions. There’s lots of give and take. It’s very informative.
Compare that open forum to Chappaqua’s Downtown Steering Committee. They meet only a few times a year. And their meetings are closed.
West End Neighborhood Taxpayers could learn from Millwood too
I understand that some residents of the West End feel under-represented. I understand that those residents feel a ward system would give them a seat at the table, bring in more voices and more expertise. But I don’t think this proposal is necessary to achieve that. I believe there are more effective ways to accomplish this.
I would suggest that the West End follow Millwood’s lead and start a West End Task Force. A task force would bring together interested and active residents to meet openly to discuss their local concerns. It would provide a forum for different voices, and people with different expertise, to come together to form a common objective. And it could be used to disseminate facts so that more people can be informed.
As I’ve mentioned before, anyone who feels his or her interests are not being addressed can form his or her own political party and run for the Town Board. According to the Frey Report on Revaluation-Impact Study, there are 619 parcels in New Castle that pay taxes to Ossining School District. Board members typically receive around 2000 votes. Do the math. Run for office. Due to publications like NewCastleNOW, The Patch, The Examiner and The Daily Chappaqua, I believe that party affiliations are not as important as they used to be. Any candidate can present ideas that spark substantive discussion of issues affecting our town—and they don’t need the support of the political parties to do so. I see no major impediments for someone who feels under-represented to get involved and run for office.
Although I am not in favor of this referendum, I would like to praise Manny for generating this discussion. Some interesting ideas were suggested. For example, no party affiliations on the ballot and increase board to seven members. These ideas should be further explored.
It might be safer not to possibly alienate those in favor of this referendum, especially weeks before an election. It would be safer merely to criticize the current town board, and say they ignore Millwood and the West End. But I don’t think that would be fair, and it would be doing a disservice to the residents of New Castle.
As I mentioned in my first letter, this proposition should be decided with everyone understanding the issue, and voting on the referendum. The whole structure of our town government is at stake.
Rob,
Residents of the West End and members of WENT have been trying to get the town board to seriously consider a town-wide revaluation for almost a decade. We brought in one of the most knowledgeable experts in the field of municipal assessment on our own, Richard Almy, who agreed that a reval could address our tax inequity problem, but reassessment never made it to the town board’s agenda. Instead, years later, the board commissioned the Frey report and based on it’s conclusions decided that not only would the West End not benefit from a revaluation, but that county taxes would increase dramatically throughout the entire town. Once again, WENT members did the hard work on their own, did the analysis to debunk Frey’s conclusions and also discovered that the report was almost identical to a report that was prepared for Mamaroneck two years earlier. Entire sections matched word for word even though the tax base of the communities could not be more different. Still, a revaluation has not made it onto the board’s agenda. If residents of the West End have to do all of the research on their own and we still can’t get a proposal for a revaluation on the board’s agenda (at the very least a motion to put out an RFP so we know exactly what the cost would be to go forward), how does that translate to the board being responsive to our concerns?
(continued from above)
We did the math when three candidates from the New Castle Community Party, including one who lived in the West End, ran for town board years ago. Should we have been surprised that the New Castle Democrats were able to bring enough people to the polls to defeat them? As Supervisor Gerrard stated at the LWV forum, 75% of the town’s population is concentrated in the center (I assume she meant roughly within the boundaries of the CCSD). Even if half of the eligible voters in the West End show up to vote (huge turnout for a local election) for a candidate from our neighborhood, a Chappaqua-based opponent would still be elected with little more than typical turnout. We don’t expect that the ward system would change the focus of the town board away from Chappaqua. With at most two board members elected from wards that do not fall entirely within the CCSD, town residents in the West End (Ossining Schools) or the northern sections of town (Bedford schools) would be assured of nothing more than the ability to have their neighborhood’s representative on the board bring a motion to the floor. Is that really too much to ask for?
Mr. Olin, you are a very good advocate for the West End. As I mentioned to you on Monday night, I would encourage you to run for the Town Board one day. As far as a town-wide reassessment, I believe that a town-wide reassessment is not imminent due to the cost, and many feel that a county-wide revaluation would be preferable as the County would bear the cost & it would result in a more equitable result in relation to the whole county.
Mr Olin - I am sympathetic to your West End situation but we cant turn the entire system on its head because as you say “the New Castle Democrats were able to bring enough people to the polls to defeat them”. Thats Democracy. This is a small town - it should not be dissected and polarized with multiple wards and town representatives.
I can no longer tolerate the escalating CCSD school budget. Even as enrollemnt declines our budget (therefore our taxes) continue to rise. I voted against the recent budget but the CCSD School Board and PTA “were able to bring enough YES votes to the polls” and pass the budget. Empty nesters predictably were largely absent. With a 2% state mandated tax cap looming no doubt the board of ed will try to surpass that by getting a 60% yes vote. Thats Democracy. We need to advocate for our position and get enough people to vote the way we see things. The Ward System is not the answer no more than changing the way we vote for school issues is. The majortity rules - for good or bad. WE can always move.
Mr. Greenstein, you make very good sense.
Mr. Olin- I am a Republican that has lived in Westchester County, NY State my entire life. My vote is marginalized because Democrats dominate the liberal NY landscape. Hopefully that changes as people recognize the liberal union influenced entitlements are bankruptimng all of us. But I digress, My point is that we can believe we are correct and we can vote for or against candidates but in the end the majority wins. It seems those that are requesting a ward system—a very unique and very rare occurance not used in such a small hamlet—dont like the fact that they cant muster enough votes so they want to change the rules. Thats not how it works.
If you pull this off let me know how to get rid of Suzie Oppenheimer, Kaplowitz, Frank, Obama, Reid and Pelosi ....
Mr. Greenstein,
Thank you for your frank appraisal. We agree with you wholeheartedly and commend you for your honesty and the clarity you bring to the issue of a ward system.
What a pleasure it is to have a candidate for public office who puts public interest before his own and calls it as he sees it even before an election!
You are indeed a worthy candidate and you certainly have our votes.
Here is a candidate who does not adhere to any party line, who runs on the issues, and addresses them candidly.
Thank you for all your public service. We look forward to having you continue your public service formally on the NC town board.
So the appropriate remedy to the “tyranny of the majority” is for members of the minority to leave? That argument has been made in comments on this site regarding the CCSD budget (“if you can’t afford the taxes, then move”) and I don’t think it was widely supported.
Residents of the West End have done all of the work that the town board should have been doing to analyze the issue of assessment equity, on our own and at our own expense. We have brought the issue and the analysis to the town board under the current system and we got nowhere. We have been applying directly to Albany for relief for a decade. We tried, unsuccessfully, to elect a representative from our neighborhood. The current system just does not work. The fact of the matter is that this small town is already dissected and polarized. We do not expect to have a majority on the town board, and with only one or two wards representing significant numbers of residents from outside of the CCSD, “our” representatives would not be able to block any action that the majority of the board decides to take. All we are looking for is a voice, a seat at the table. Regardless of what the current administration says, “all of the candidates visit the Millwood task force during the election cycle” is not effective representation.
Of course, the alternative to “WE can always move” is for the entire West End to stay in our homes and just “move” to the Town of Ossining. Do you really think that this would be a better solution?
Mr Olin - I am a conservative - a Republican. That means very little in new castle, Westchester and NY State. Democrats dominate the thinking, voting, campaign spending, and the political landscape/. Like you and your West Enders, I am looking for a voice and a seat at the table too. But try as we may, us Republicans cant get that seat. From Kaplowitz, Oppenheimer, even Hillary the Dems win. Who represents my tax dollar and conservative needs? If I take a play from your playbook I ought to mobilize other Republicans and figure out a way to game the system, change the rules, or create a version of the ward system. Unfortunately it just doesnt work that way. In a democracy, for good or bad, the majority wins. When we loose (Republicans and West Enders) we must move on. The answer is not change and upend the system and the dynamics of the community by splitting it even further. You need more votes for a candidate that supports your needs. Those votes need not come only from other West Enders. The Ward System is a terrible idea and now I must rethink my support for some of the republicans. In seeking the West End vote they have likely jeopardized support from many others. Looks like Greenstein is the only candidate with ideas and an independent unbiased view.
Mr. Olin - if reassessing New Castle prior to a county-wide reassessment would put all of the properties in New Castle at risk for higher county taxes, how does not proceeding with the New Castle reassessment disadvantage you? Under the plan you propose, you would then be paying county taxes at a higher rate than those taxpayers in the Town of Ossining who reside in the Ossining School District, surely not a result you would want.
How can anyone running for office discourage the sharing of representation, and the power of the VOTE through representation?
Wow!
Chris Wolff - The analysis in the Frey report is simply wrong. A reassessment in New Castle would not result in a significant increase in county taxes. To see the 10% increase in county taxes that followed Rye’s, and which the town board assumed would happen here as well, the reassessment would have to find $500,000,000 (half a BILLION dollars) in property value that is not reflected in New Castle’s current assessment roll.
The Frey report also stated that Rye’s increase in county tax was temporary and it quickly reverted back to the previous level.
Vote “R” - Both Republicans and Democrats constantly seek ways to “game the system” by changing district lines to create “safe” districts for the incumbents of their party. I’m sure you already knew that.
Mr Olin - so ” gaming the system” is a given? ? How exactly will the New Castle residents in the Yorktown and Byram Hills school districts game the system so they can get the representation that the New Castle residents in the Ossining school district gets if you should succeed in having a ward system. rather cynical view of the world - no? After all those calling for the ward system are West Enders and could care less about those in the other school districts.
The West Enders do care about everyone, but it seems that the laws we learned in School get ignored. When standing in the Cafeteria, you stand in line and wait your turn. No one from the back of the line is allowed to go to the front of the line just because they are in a hurry! The West End has always been at the back of the line on many issues, and when we get a chance to pick up a clean lunch tray and proceed to look behind the glass as to what we would like to eat, a hand is placed on our chest; and we must move back to the back of the line while everyone else gets to go in front of us. This is why the West Enders would like to have a ward system, because perhaps those that carry a vote will allow us to eat once in a while, and not tell us what we should be eating! West End has had many issues ignored for the benefit of others on too many occasions and for too long! We need a ward system, New Castle never gave us any signs of hope, so our thoughts went in the direction of seeking a ward system! If the ward system fails, the West End will definitely be ignored from here on out!
A lawsuit was brought for Port Chester to implement a ward system, implying that people cannot be represented by those not from the immediate neighborhood, ethnic or socio-economic background.
That said, regarding Chappaqua Crossing the Board is equally disrespectful of majority/central Chappaqua residents.
It is up to citizens to vote and participate.
So, in order to prevent each Board Member from having to deal and work with the other Board Member: that until now had no fear of a ward system being approved. Members of the Community would like to insure that the ward system is not passed, so that the issues of the West End do not need to be negotiated out against the other concerns of the entire Municipality. So another words, those against the ward system would like to KEEP THE POWER of LOCKING OUT the WEST END. I agree, the West End is the stepdaughter of New Castle, and now the Parents want to insure that a Divorce takes place by not supporting the call for a WARD SYSTEM. Hey, WEST ENDERS - DO YOU GET IT!! If you never cared about anything, or if you have never paid attention to the ideas and only voted you Party’s line: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE TO APPROVE THE WARD SYSTEM - PLEASE! Make that a pretty Please!!!
Exactly WHAT is is that you complaining West Enders want ? Please be specific.
That’s right; EXACTLY WHAT!! Exactly; you have no idea, never had the motivation to have an idea of exactly “what” until now, and never paid attention to the needs of the West End! “Exactly what” is exactly what is wrong with asking “exactly WHAT”! That’s why the West End is exactly RIGHT to pray that we get the WARD SYSTEM APPROVED! Exactly what good will come out of it will hopefully be felt overtime as we see it take hold! Manny baby, I hope you can be given the victory of getting your ward system approved, exactly “What for” is what we hope to experience for the betterment of the West End! Good Luck!!
I am from Millwood but oppose the Ward system. As is being proven, nothing is preventing a candidate from Millwood or the West End from running for the Board. I don’t agree with some of RG’s opinions (parking structure at the Train Station???) but he is proving that anyone can get his views known and be a viable candidate. The Town Board (and the Planning Board) has done little for Millwood since I moved in over 10 years ago. If you aren’t happy, run for office. I will be happy to listen to what you have to say
It is as simple as this; if you live in the West End of the Municipality, and you would like to have someone that resides in the West End bring with him or her the issues of the area into Town Hall. Then you must vote for the Ward System! For those that live in the West End, it really does not make any sense to be against it!! You have nothing being placed at risk if you vote for it!!
