Election 2025: Unopposed candidates delineate their visions and priorities

From left, Bedford candidates Ellen Calves, Stephanie McCaine and Midge Iorio. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Editor's note: County races will be covered in the Oct. 31 issue of The Recorder.

By JEFF MORRIS

In Bedford, the Democratic candidates — Supervisor Ellen Calves, Town Board member Stephanie McCaine, and new Town Board candidate Midge Iorio — are running unopposed. Nonetheless, The Recorder asked them a series of questions about their governing priorities and initiatives they intend to pursue. Their responses, which have been edited for length and clarity,  follow.

The Recorder: Why are you a candidate? 

Ellen Calves: Serving as town supervisor since 2022 has been a privilege and a joy. I humbly seek the support of the electorate for another term because together we will further strengthen our community and enhance vibrancy, sustainability and affordability for everyone. I am proud of our track record of being able to execute on this vision. I am excited to continue to serve and drive good ideas forward together with transparency, integrity, and care.

Midge Iorio: I’m running for Bedford Town Board because this is home. For 27 years, I’ve lived, worked, volunteered and raised my family here, and I care deeply about Bedford’s future. I want to help ensure our town continues to be a place where everyone feels welcome, connected and proud to live.

Through my work with Bedford 2030, the Katonah Chamber of Commerce, and the Katonah Village Improvement Society, I’ve learned that real progress happens when people come together to solve problems. Whether it’s filling an empty storefront, improving safety and traffic flow, or keeping our air, water, and neighborhoods clean and healthy, Bedford has always been at its best when we roll up our sleeves and work together.

My vision is for thriving, walkable hamlets where every storefront is full, our neighborhoods feel connected, and our natural beauty is protected. I believe in practical, forward-looking solutions that balance preservation and progress and reflect the needs of all residents.

There will always be challenges ahead. I see those as opportunities to listen, problem-solve and build consensus that moves Bedford forward. This town has given me so much over the years, and I’m ready to give back with energy, experience and a deep commitment to keeping Bedford strong, vibrant, clean, and healthy for generations to come.

Stephanie McCaine: I’m running for re-election because I care deeply about Bedford and the people who make it home. I believe in the steady work of good governance that builds trust, improves systems, and strengthens communities over time. My experience on the Town Board has shown me how important it is to meet our challenges with both compassion and pragmatism.

I take pride in being a collaborative voice, a connector between residents and government, and a listener who helps translate community needs into action. Much of my work happens behind the scenes: improving how our town operates, supporting transparency, identifying gaps in access to services, and advocating for equitable outcomes for all of our residents.

I’ve helped move key initiatives forward — from infrastructure improvements to expanded housing options to community engagement efforts — by working across perspectives and staying focused on solutions. I’m proud to have contributed to Bedford being recognized as the safest city in New York, to our adoption of a comprehensive plan rooted in community values, and to budget decisions that balance responsibility with real investment.

I’m running again because I know that thoughtful, inclusive leadership matters — and because I love this town. I want to continue building a Bedford that works for everyone, while staying true to the character that makes this community so special.

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The Recorder: What do you consider the top three challenges facing Bedford today?

Ellen Calves: The top three include the challenge of balancing the budget without significant tax increases given rising costs, enhancing vibrancy and affordability through smart growth, and engaging residents to promote solutions-based civic engagement.

While increasing costs and threats to grant funding will present challenges ahead, we are in a good position, with good leadership, to continue to provide high quality services to our residents and stay under the tax cap. Fiscally conservative projections and careful budgeting by my colleagues and I on the Town Board for many years have maintained the town’s AAA bond rating; our success in obtaining numerous, significant grants has enabled important projects for clean water, sewers, open space, clean air and affordable housing that strengthen our resiliency and keep property values strong. With strong reserves and a practical long range capital plan, we will continue to hold the line on taxes, provide quality services to residents, and upgrade infrastructure for residents now and for the future. 

Finding ways to enhance vibrancy, offer more diversity of housing, and fill empty storefronts is a priority. But, any change raises concerns that we need to confront to ensure our town is enhanced in ways that maintain our friendly, small town vibe. Finishing the comprehensive plan this year with robust community input was the first step of this process, and we will continue to seek community input and develop policies that ensure we develop in ways that meet community needs and maintain high standards for quality of life.  

Finally, we are challenged as a nation by polarization, and here in Bedford we must continue to encourage civic engagement and productive community conversations, and not give in to anger and stagnation. I believe that good leaders listen to all advocates and make the best decisions for the whole community. In that light, I will continue to lift up service, engage a wide variety of stakeholders, and enable civic engagement for solutions-based conversations and efforts.

Midge Iorio: Listening to community members and understanding what matters most to them is the starting point for real progress in Bedford. From those conversations, three themes consistently stand out: mobility, community vitality and sustainability.

Mobility is on almost everyone’s mind. People are concerned about traffic and road conditions, parking in our business districts, and safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. At the same time, there’s real enthusiasm for making our downtowns more walkable and bike-friendly, with better public spaces and cleaner, more affordable transportation options. To start addressing these issues, I would prioritize a Complete Streets study to explore ways to make our roads safer, greener, and more accessible for all modes of transportation.

Community vitality, including affordable housing and thriving local business districts, is central to Bedford’s future. Residents have raised concerns about housing that meets community needs, the vitality of all three downtowns, water infrastructure, and the quality of shared public spaces. Addressing these challenges together is essential to ensuring that Bedford remains livable and vibrant for everyone now and into the future.

Sustainability and resilience must remain top priorities. We need to protect our natural resources, including our air, water, and open spaces, and prepare for the impacts and unexpected costs of more frequent severe weather, flooding and power outages. Increasing our commitment to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate adaptation strategies can reduce costs, improve public health, and make Bedford more resilient over the long term.

Stephanie McCaine: First, working collaboratively across agencies to maintain and improve infrastructure — especially where roads and facilities fall under county or state oversight. We need to ensure Bedford’s needs are heard and addressed in those partnerships.Second, affordability — not just in housing, but in daily life. Seniors on fixed incomes, young adults raised here, and essential workers like teachers and nurses all struggle with staying in the community they serve.Third, ensuring that local services and resources are accessible, responsive, and equitably available. That means looking at where residents experience gaps and finding practical ways to close them, while preserving what makes Bedford such a special place to live.

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The Recorder: What can you do as a (supervisor or board member) to encourage more affordable housing in town?

Ellen Calves: Housing that is more affordable will help existing residents, bring in young families, and support a strong local economy now and in the future.

Working with Blue Mountain Development Corporation and the Town Housing Committee, my colleagues and I on the Town Board approved funding from the federal pandemic recovery funds to support the acquisition of 13 affordable rental apartments and a new four-unit (for ownership) affordable development as well as contributed to the renovation of existing affordable housing in Katonah. We have also seen construction of new affordable units due to the provision in the town code requiring multifamily developments include 20% affordable units. 

However, more needs to be done to encourage housing that is affordable to people who live and work here as well as to new families and seniors who want to age in place. I am supportive of the upcoming public forum hosted by Blue Mountain to engage the public around the issue of housing to see how our community might support more diversity of housing. 

While our infrastructure greatly limits growth, there are opportunities for some. In support of mixed use development, I am exploring expansion of sewers to enable the redevelopment of commercial properties along Route 117 which could include affordable housing. I also hope to consider expanding the existing conservation subdivision policy,  where parcels are already zoned for development, to encourage smaller and more affordable homes in conjunction with land conservation should those parcels be developed in the future. 

Midge Iorio: As a Bedford Town Board member, I would start by listening to residents and community experts to understand the needs and solutions that make sense for our town. Housing that’s affordable isn’t one-size-fits-all. It affects young families who keep our schools vibrant, seniors who want to age in place and others hoping to make Bedford their home. 

There’s no simple fix, but there are steps we can take together. I recently attended a presentation by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress on “Housing Trends, Needs, and Tactics.” The data they shared on income, household size, and regional trends is the kind of information that can help us see the full picture and make better decisions. I’m also looking forward to the Housing Forum hosted by Blue Mountain on Nov. 13 as another chance to learn and listen.

As outlined in the new comprehensive plan, we should explore more housing options and adaptive reuse strategies to turn underused commercial, office, or community spaces into homes. Every project should be evaluated with an eye toward its long-term impact, prioritizing affordability to support current residents and help make Bedford accessible to new families and residents who will help keep our community strong.

Stephanie McCaine: As a board member, one of the most important things I can do is help demystify what affordable housing really is — and what it isn’t. It’s not a building style or a plan to change who lives here. At its core, it’s about whether people can afford to stay, return to, or continue living in a community they already contribute to — seniors looking to downsize, young adults raised here, teachers, EMTs, and healthcare workers who serve Bedford every day.

Supporting organizations like the Blue Mountain Development Corporation is part of the solution, but we also need to address the barriers developers face when trying to build diverse housing here. We recently heard from Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, which presented clear data showing that this isn’t just a social issue — it’s an economic one. From declining school enrollment to the rising cost of construction and shrinking household sizes, the evidence shows that we need more varied and affordable housing to keep our community vibrant and our local economy strong.

As a board member, I’ll keep working to bring clarity, facts, and thoughtful leadership to these conversations — so residents can see how affordable housing, when done right, strengthens the Bedford we all value.

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The Recorder:  If money was not an issue, what projects/initiatives would you want to see funded in town?

Ellen Calves: I would replace septic systems and wells in areas threatened by pollution to provide and protect drinking water. I would install more sidewalks, bike lanes, and open space. I would initiate an electric trolley service to transport residents and visitors to local shops, restaurants, cultural institutions, and appointments. I would hire more staff to install and maintain more greenspaces, gardens, and flower baskets, remove invasive species from our lands, and improve Todd’s Pond. I would incentivize mixed use development including affordable housing along the 117 corridor, Railroad Avenue, and the I-684 bypass. But, money is never not an issue, so we prioritize and seize opportunities when they come along to work towards this vision.

Midge Iorio: I’d focus on projects that revitalize our town, strengthen community, and promote sustainability. I would reimagine the Route 117 corridor, transforming empty commercial spaces into a mix of housing that is affordable, shared public spaces, pocket parks, arts and entertainment areas, and restaurants, all designed with sustainable practices.

I’d also invest in an arts or entertainment anchor in Bedford Hills (e.g. a theater, gallery, or performance space) that would draw residents and visitors, spark local economic activity and attract complementary businesses like cafes and restaurants.

Investing in roads and mobility infrastructure would be another priority, ensuring safer streets, better traffic flow, and improved pedestrian and bicycle access to connect our neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces.

Finally, I’d prioritize energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives to reduce energy costs, improve public health, and build a more resilient community for the future.

Stephanie McCaine: I would start with targeted infrastructure improvements, especially in areas like the Bedford Green, which should serve as a vibrant, accessible community hub. I’d invest in housing that supports intergenerational needs — from seniors looking to stay in town, to workers and young families trying to build a life here.

I’d love to see dedicated, welcoming spaces for teens and seniors — spaces designed specifically for connection, learning, and recreation, not just shared use. I’d also prioritize investments in walkability and “bikeability” especially near our hamlets and downtowns, to make getting around town safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Supporting local businesses is another priority. Whether that means helping new entrepreneurs get started, improving foot traffic through thoughtful downtown improvements, or streamlining processes for existing businesses, I believe a thriving local economy is essential to Bedford’s long-term health.

Finally, I’d continue to modernize the systems that make local government more accessible, responsive and effective.

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The Recorder: What do you see as the best long-term strategy to revitalize downtown Bedford Hills?

Ellen Calves: The long term strategy to continue to revitalize downtown Bedford Hills is to take advantage of the fact that it is a transit hub. Having a Metro North stop brings many commuters to the hamlet daily and could support more development in this walkable area to attract commuters, young people, and seniors looking for in-town living near the train. There is also an opportunity for commuters and visitors coming in on the train to be enticed to come into the hamlet for a good restaurant or gathering place (rather than just go to the lot on the other side of the tracks and drive away). The economic activity around the train station would be better supported by additional housing because more people living there would support more economic activity. The hamlet also needs an anchor tenant in the train station to create a gathering place and a sense of place. This would give confidence to other restaurants and businesses to move in. My colleagues and I on the Town Board have supported this by engaging with the MTA to enable the town to bring a subtenant to the train station (coming soon!), supporting the development of the Bedford Hills Business Association, increasing public parking and installing sewers, sidewalks, trees, banners and planters. By obtaining a grant from the county, we have been able to support facade improvements like painting and new signage, and will be going out to bid soon for wayfinding signage throughout the hamlet. 

Midge Iorio: Downtown Bedford Hills faces a longstanding challenge: sustaining a vibrant, thriving center that reflects the community’s needs and character. Its walkable streets and diverse population are strengths, yet revitalization requires intentional, community-driven action.

I would help mobilize stakeholders and form public-private partnerships, working closely with residents and the Bedford Hills Business Association to ensure strategies reflect local priorities. Strategic branding and marketing can highlight what makes downtown unique, attracting visitors and businesses while reinforcing neighborhood pride.

Through Bedford 2030, I have hosted several well-attended events in the Depot area, and I see the opportunity to enhance this space for community gatherings and commerce, supporting the revitalization strategies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. The Metro North train stop is a key asset. Coordinated events such as art strolls, live music, and culinary experiences could draw both residents and neighboring communities, increasing foot traffic and local economic activity.

Long-term, a cultural or arts anchor, like a theater, gallery, or performance space, could transform downtown, sparking economic activity and creating a hub for gatherings. Together, these efforts could strengthen Bedford Hills as a vibrant, inclusive destination for years to come.

Stephanie McCaine: We’ve already made important strides in Bedford Hills — façade improvements are underway, infrastructure upgrades have helped improve flow and safety, and we’re working on activating the MTA station for public use. These are meaningful investments that reflect both community priorities and the framework laid out in our updated comprehensive plan.

But I also think we need to continue working toward a clearly shared vision of what a revitalized Bedford Hills looks and feels like. With projects already underway, this is the right moment to ask how we define success — so that future improvements reflect both our goals and our values. I believe that continued engagement with residents, businesses and community partners is essential — not because we’re starting from scratch, but because long-term revitalization works best when people feel seen in the process and connected to the outcome.

That kind of thoughtful, community-driven approach — focused on walkability, small business support and public spaces where people want to spend time — is how we make sure Bedford Hills remains vibrant, welcoming, and true to its identity.