Letter to the Editor: Vote “No” to referendum on representation by ward
October 28, 2011
by Robin Stout
In times like these, why would we increase the size, cost, complexity, and potential divisiveness of government? And yet, that is exactly what the referendum facing New Castle voters on Election Day would do. I urge New Castle citizens to vote “NO.”
The referendum would impose three fundamental changes at once on our local government: (1) dividing our small Town into six separate wards; (2) increasing the number of Town Board members from five to seven; and (3) shortening the term of Board members from four to two years. Each of these changes, standing alone, is ill-advised. Worse, the referendum binds all three together, inseparably, in one “up-or-down” vote. A vote for the referendum is a vote for all three changes, and I believe such a vote would be harmful to good local government.
Dividing our Town into wards:We live in a Town of less than 18,000 people. The great majority of issues before the Town Board are Town-wide issues, and currently all citizens vote for all at-large Town Board members who are responsible to the Town as a whole. To the contrary, in a ward system, citizens would vote only for a Supervisor and one ward member. While a ward member might focus more intently on his or her particular neighborhood concerns, that may or may not be conducive to forming a majority consensus with other ward members, who would be carrying their own differing concerns. Wards increase both the possibility of isolating neighborhoods and Board members from one another and the likelihood that trading favors becomes required for moving forward, defeating transparency and accountability. And, by the way, wards lines would be drawn not by New Castle but by the Westchester County Board of Elections, in a way unknowable until after ward approval. There is no reason to think that lines gerrymandered for Westchester County political purposes will necessarily be optimal for addressing local New Castle concerns.
Increasing the number of Board members:Your Town Board consists of a Supervisor and four members. The referendum would change that to a Supervisor and six members. Granted that “two heads are better than one”, but are seven heads better than five? The Town Board already draws upon and learns from a pool of talented staff and volunteers considerably larger than any manageable Town Board could ever be. Increased Board numbers inevitably will cost more budget dollars, and there is no reason to think that having more Board members would decrease the time that any dedicated Board member will spend studying and discussing Town issues on a weekly basis. I also worry that finding enough good candidates willing to make the necessary commitments will only become that much more difficult. There is no reason to unnecessarily diffuse responsibility in a small Town such as ours.
Shortening Board member terms:Currently the Town Supervisor runs every two years and the remaining four members run two-at-a-time in staggered four year terms. The referendum would require all candidates to run every two years. This is problematic because there is a learning curve to understanding the issues and the rhythm of the Town and the Board. The potential loss of experience in revolving two-year terms would greatly decrease Board productivity, creativity, and cohesiveness, to the fiscal detriment of taxpayers. Worse, without any staggered terms, continuity could be wholly lost, again to the great disadvantage of the citizens. Frequent elections may not discourage “career politicians”, but may deter good “citizen participants” from stepping forward.
Each of these three changes is unnecessary, and not conducive to good government. There is no reason to increase the size, cost, complexity, and potential divisiveness of our local government. Please vote “NO” on the referendum on Election Day, November 8.
Robin Stout
I offer this opinion personally, not as a New Castle Town Board member.
_________________________
The two-part proposal will appear in the November 8 referendum as a single statement to which voters will answer Yes or No. It will read as follows:
“That a) the number of at-large seats on the Town Board be increased from four to six;
and
b) that these six members of the Board be elected as representatives of each of six wards respectively of the Town of New Castle, to be defined in accordance with the laws of New York State, Town Law, Article 6, Section 85.”
From NCNOW.org’s archives (newest to oldest):
Letter to the Editor: Why I’m voting YES for the ward redistricting resolution, October 28, 2011, by The Rev. Dr. Joel Clark Mason
Letter to the Editor: Vote “No” to referendum on representation by ward, October 28, 2011, by Robin Stout
Letter to the Editor: Nov. 8 Referendum—Vote YES for Democracy, October 28, 2011, by Penny Vane
Letter to the Editor: Why I’m voting YES for the ward redistricting resolution, October 28, 2011
Letter to the Editor: Ward system is not in the town’s best interest, October 24, 2011, by Dr. William H. Flank
Letter to the Editor: The wheeling and dealing of Yonkers ward system? Not for New Castle, October 24, 2011, by Betty Weitz
League info forum for referendum on elections by ward draws a curious crowd, October 21, 2011
Candidates’ thoughts on the proposed referendum on representation by ward, NCNOW, October 21, 2011
Letter to the Editor: I will vote No on the proposed referendum to institute a ward system, October 21, 2011, by Rob Greenstein
See also Sewers issue surfaces in League forum on ward system referendum, 10/21/11.
Manny Areces’ website with info on the proposed referendum: http://ncreferendum.com/
To see Gerrard’s entire statement click HERE
For background, see:
Letter to the Editor: League urges a “No” vote on ward system referendum, NCNOW.org, September 23, 2011, by Sheila Bernson and Jennifer Mebes Flagg
League of Women voters opposes ward referendum, but will hold forum on Oct. 17, NCNOW.org, September 23, 2011, by Christine Yeres
Letter to the Editor: The proposed referendum to change the structure of town board elections, NCNOW.org, September 19, 2011, by Rob Greenstein
Non-partisan group proposes expansion of town board from 4 at-large members to 6, NCNOW.org, July 1, 2011, by Susie Pender
Robin, you are out of touch with what this town needs and diluting your voice is a great reason to vote for the ward system.
thank you, robin, for your clear and sensible points. i will vote NO.
Robin - well said! Ward system is a terrible idea and will only further divide and certainly not unite.
Why rock the boat, keep everything as it is ! Thank God the ward system doesn’t have a chance in passing! Most don’t show up to vote, and the ones that do, are just not going to permit the ward system from being approved! That’s just the facts, accept it!!!
I wish we could increase the board and not to the ward system. Maybe thats what the next petition should be…. The Dems don’t want to lose their one party town and its harder to keep that if you increase the size of the board. What Mr. Stout ment to say was that their aren’t enough Dems to fill the seats if we went to 7 Board Members….
I think some of you have hit the nail on the head. If this Ward system is passed the Dems will lose control. They are so worried about losing control. I will vote for it. I think it is the most democratic system for a town that has eight different towns represented. It isn’t about population, it is about “area”. It is time for a change. Vote “yes” for democracy. Let everyone in New Castle have a voice.
@everyone needs a voice
What you say is nonsense, vote for the Republicans, if you wish, vote for Rob Greenstein, if you wish or run yourself, if you wish.
This town is too small for this ill advised ward system.
And, how about you learning the issues rather than willy nilly calling for change.
In response to “Everyone Has a voice” I must say you are quite insulting. Do you actually feel that if someone has a different opinion of what this town needs it will work to insult them and say that they do not know the issues? It is this arrogance that has so many in this community looking for change. I am very aware and familiar with this referendum and other issues in New Castle. Perhaps you do not live in an area that feels it is not represented fairly by THIS board. So perhaps it is you who is unfamiliar with the “issues” rather than me.
You claim this system is ill advised. Of course you have a every right to feel that way if you so choose. Others have the right to feel differently than YOU. We could talk forever about each area of town and why they feel they have no representation. Have you attended any town meetings and seen the frustration that many residents feel?
You may vote the way you want on this referendum and I will vote the way I want. I won’t insult you for your views, please don’t insult me for mine. After all, this site is supposed to be civil and polite.
@everyone needs a voice,
Thank you for allowing me my rights. Yes, I follow the Town issues and watch the Board meetings regularly. There have even been times that I have strongly disagreed with their decisions, even times when they have impacted me unfavorably and I happen to live close to the center of the Chappaqua Hamlet.
My comment to you is that you offer no specifics to your view, only that sometimes citizens do not get what they want, so it is time for the Dems to lose control. I am one who believes that parties are not relevant at the local level, perhaps you disagree. So, sorry I do not see that ” throw them out” is a reasonable answer and I certainly do not see the ward system as a reasoned improvement to our Town’s government. After much reading and listening, I strongly believe the the ward system will make our town more fragmented and contentious. No one wants that.
These are my opinions, if you find them insulting, so be it.
@Everyone has a voice
Interesting name you choose. That is the exact problem with the “at large” system we currently have. Many residents feel they do NOT have a voice. This referendum is about all taxpaying citizens having a seat at the table. It doesn’t mean all decisions will be favorable for them. It does mean that at least they will be heard. Three board members is clearly not enough people to represent an area as large as New Castle. Again eight different towns encompass New Castle. I believe that quite often New Castle has to spend extra money having outside people handle situations that arise because our board is overwhelmed.
These are our tax dollars. If there is a better way we should investigate it instead of continuing down the same path because it’s the familiar one. Honestly I do not see why having more board members who represent ALL areas of New Castle is so alarming to residents. Allowing for “fair and equal” representation can only make New Castle a better and more attractive place to live and raise our families. I don’t think it will fragment the town one bit, quite the opposite. As I have discovered in the last several years, our town already is fragmented and contentious.
@Everyone Needs A Voice,
Sure, investigate, but do NOT ram this change down the Town’s throat. As has been
recounted by other commenters, many people signed this petition with out understanding the ramifications because of pressure from Manny Areces and wish that they had not. If you were at or heard Mr. Areces at the League’s informational forum, you heard him respond to a questioner’s query, what evidence, statistics
or other information could he offer to support this change, and he replied, NONE.
