Letters to the Editor, Feb. 7

Jenkins the only pro-choice candidate in county exec election

To the Editor:

There will be a special election Tuesday, Feb. 11, to elect a new Westchester County executive. Early balloting takes place from Saturday, Feb. 1, through Sunday, Feb. 9.

The candidates are Democrat Ken Jenkins and Republican Christine Sculti.

Jenkins is presently the acting county executive (appointed by the Westchester County Board of Legislators in early January after then-County Executive George Latimer became a Congressman in New York’s 16th Congressional District).

Sculti is a deputy commissioner for the Westchester County Board of Elections. She unsuccessfully challenged Mr. Latimer in the 2021 county executive race.

Westchester voters may be interested in knowing that, in 2021, the Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion (WCLA) PAC “Choice Matters” called her “anti-choice zealot who has aligned herself with like-minded religious extremists at NYS Right to Life” who “opposes reproductive health care from birth control through abortion.” (https://wclapac.org/2021/10/before-you-vote-know-the-truth-about-anti-choice-extremist-christine-sculti/).

In other words, Jenkins is the only pro-choice candidate in this election.

Lou Sorell

Katonah

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League of Women Voters urges vote in special county exec election

To the Editor:

We at the League of Women Voters of Northeast Westchester want to spread the word about the Feb. 11 Special Election. All registered voters in Westchester County are eligible to participate in determining who will fill the time left on an unexpired county executive term. Democrat Ken Jenkins and Republican Christine Sculti are the candidates vying to serve out the term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2025. There will be another election in November for a full, four-year term.

Early voting is available until Sunday, Feb. 9; the last opportunity to vote will be on Election Day, Feb. 11.

We encourage area voters to visit the Elections & Voting page of our website,  LWVNEW.org, where we are boosting and amplifying information from the Board of Elections and providing relevant links.

Unfortunately, there will not be a League candidate forum ahead of this election. The Westchester County League was organizing a forum but, due to the “empty chair policy,” could not go ahead with it because one of the candidates declined to participate.

As we look ahead, we want to mention that the League of Women Voters of the United States turns 105 on Valentine’s Day. Our group is not quite as old — but we’ve been around in one form or another since the 1960s, putting on local candidate forums and registering people to vote. We strive to inform, assist, and register area voters. If that is of interest to you, consider joining! You can learn more about us on our website.

In the meantime, get ready to vote in the special election.

Lisa Pizzurro

President, League of Women Votersof Northeast Westchester

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South Salem man wonders about KLSD’s electric buses

To the Editor:

Has the KLSD provided any information regarding the electric school bus that they recently purchased? Was it used and was it effective during the single figure temps a week ago?

Considering it cost more that a traditional school bus taxpayers may be interested in knowing if this was a good purchase.

Joseph Marcogliese

South Salem

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Pound Ridge writer says it’s OK to be critical of board

To the Editor:

In response to Robbie Everett’s recent letter to the editor (“Pound Ridge writer: Don’t find a reason to complain, help out,” Jan. 31):

1) It is not only “guys on the right” but also Democrats unafraid to question party leadership who call out certain actions of the town board.

2) It is far from “petty” to bring attention to fiscal irresponsibility and lack of transparency in our town government.

3) It is specifically to preserve the town, the home so many of us love and appreciate, that criticisms are raised.

4) It is unhelpful to continue to disparage residents who dare to criticize the board.

Debra Coughlin

Pound Ridge

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Fact-checking 101: when youthful enthusiasm meets political reality

To the Editor:

This is a response to Trevor Velez (“Writer says accusations about town are misleading,” Jan. 31), a recent college graduate whose letter showed a naive lack of perspective to challenge substantive claims and disregard for verifiable facts.

He states, in part: “Delayed financial audits causing excessive interest rates are not rooted in reality.” Fact: 2020 filed 6/2023; 2021 filed 1/2024; 2022 filed 12/24; 2023 yet to file.

He states: The author is misleading “without proper knowledge of New York State law.” Fact: Per the New York State  Comptroller’s office, Annual Financial Report Filing Deadlines are due 90 days after fiscal year end. Our town supervisor has repeatedly violated state law and should resign.

He states, in part” “Excessive interest rates  … are not rooted in reality.” Fact: The high rate on bond anticipation notes exists because the town cannot access the municipal bond market with 2- and 3-year-old financial statements.

He states: “These have been debunked repeatedly.” Fact: Produce town board minutes, videos, or board members’ comments addressing that for the past three years the town financial statements have been filed in accordance with the NYS Financial Reporting deadline — you cannot.

His claim of “respectful debate” and transparency rings hollow. Consider these documented instances as examples:

— Oct. 9th, 2023, town board meeting: Alison Boak and Kevin Hansan attempting to silence residents and seek town attorney guidance.

— Dec. 9th, 2023, town board meeting: Cannabis issue exposure. Watch it. Transparency absolutely not.

— March 5th, 2024, town board meeting: Only through a resident’s presentation were public comments finally allowed and residents finally had an avenue to voice their concerns

Velez’s blind acceptance of official narratives is dangerous. Civic engagement requires critical thinking, not uncritical endorsement.

Fact-checking isn’t optional — it’s the cornerstone of democratic accountability.  2025 is an election year and it is time for a change.

Nick Cianciola Sr.

Pound Ridge