Letters to the Editor, Jan. 17

Hansan says letter writer’s allegations misleading

To the Editor:

Thank you for the opportunity to address the letter titled “Tardy financial statements come at a tangible cost to taxpayers,” (Jan. 10).

For context, this letter was written by my opponent in the last election for town supervisor. The claims regarding costs to taxpayers due to tardy financial statements are factually incorrect, and the letter includes additional misleading information designed to distract residents from recognizing the many accomplishments of myself and the town board. It’s important for readers to understand that the town remains in a very healthy fiscal state, and I’ll address some of the points raised.

While the town’s 2022 audited financial statements were issued later than ideal, and the same will apply to 2023, the delays stem from well-documented staffing challenges in the finance department dating back to 2019. These challenges affected the timely provision of data to our auditors. Since then, we have worked diligently with our auditors to bring the process back on track, and we are confident the town will be fully caught up this year.

It’s important to note that late reporting of audited financials does not equate to poor fiscal management or additional costs to taxpayers. The audited financials consistently confirm the soundness of the town’s conservative practices and align with the unaudited financial data published annually. Over the past seven years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the town has consistently outperformed its budget. This prudent fiscal management has allowed us to rebuild the town’s fund balance, revitalize the business district, make strategic investments (such as acquiring 7 Old Pound Road and the former gas station in town), repair town assets like the pools, replace aging vehicles, and expand services — all while staying under the 2 percent tax cap.

The claim that the 2022 audit revealed a $78,340 auditor’s fee exceeding the $39,500 budget fails to acknowledge that this reflects two audits completed in one year as part of catching up. Regarding interest rates on town financing, these were high inflationary years, and the town optimized its financial position by investing in CDs yielding over 5 percent, which offset rising borrowing costs. Additionally, all control deficiencies cited in the auditor’s letters are categorized as minor. Importantly, the auditor stated: “We did not identify any deficiencies in the Town’s internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses.” Nonetheless, the town takes these recommendations seriously and, every year, has implemented measures such as enhancing financial oversight, upgrading accounting systems, and improving the tracking of capital projects based on our auditors’ advice.

Pound Ridge’s financial management has consistently demonstrated prudence, transparency, and effectiveness. Criticism of the town’s financial operations indirectly targets our highly respected director of finance, Steve Conti, who has faithfully served the town for 20 years. Steve, who has worked under three town supervisors, is committed to providing unbiased, nonpartisan answers to all resident inquiries. Both Steve and I encourage residents to visit the finance section of the town website or contact him directly with questions about the town’s fiscal health.

Regarding the Transportation Enhancement Project (TEP), the assertion that this 2020 project ran $451,929 over budget is misleading. The project, which brought new sidewalks, streetlights, and traffic-calming measures to the business district, was a federally funded grant awarded in 2013. Unfortunately, my predecessor and his board delayed action on the project for five years. When I took office in 2018, my town board immediately resurrected the project, secured right-of-way agreements, hired engineering and construction firms, and allocated $2.2 million to ensure its timely and on-budget completion, preserving the grant funding. The record of the special town board meeting on June 27, 2019, when the project bid was accepted, clearly illustrates the transparency of this process and how the delays affected contractor pricing.

Finally, the author’s attempt to link TEP to the Scotts Corners Water District project is another effort to mislead residents and delay progress on this critical initiative. His opposition to bringing clean drinking water to the business district is well-documented, including a campaign of misinformation targeted at property owners before the district vote. Fortunately, the majority of property owners recognized the importance of the project and supported it. I trust that Pound Ridge residents will likewise see through these continued attempts to distort the truth about the town’s financial health.

Kevin C. Hansan Supervisor, Town of Pound Ridge

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There is a human cost of mismanagement in Pound Ridge

To the Editor:

A letter to editor in The Recorder last week correctly notes the sorry state of Pound Ridge’s financials (two years behind in meeting annual financial reporting requirements, chronic inadequate controls reported by the town’s accountants year after year but not fixed, and high interest rates being paid on town debt) but it omits the human cost of Pound Ridge’s mismanagement.

The town supervisor and town board acknowledge that the seniors’ bus is in need of replacement (Town Board Meeting Nov. 19, 2024, transcript time mark 22:30-40) but in an $11 million Pound Ridge budget for 2025, there is still no money for a new seniors’ bus.

The current supervisor (as the town’s chief financial officer is also responsible for the financial mess) does not dispute that, but said in effect at that meeting that a new truck for another department had to come first (transcript time mark 23:30-45).  

But neither fixing town financials nor helping our seniors are apparently included in his and his board’s priorities. I may be an old codger (87 in March), but 2025 is an election year and I think it’s time For a change.

Norman W. Bernstein Pound Ridge

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Thankful for dedicated volunteer firefighters

To the Editor:

I live in a three-story residential building that experienced multiple fire alarm alerts. I want to commend the Katonah Fire Department for their every response to these alerts, some in the very, very early hours of the morning. We are fortunate as a community to have a dedicated volunteer fire department — they truly are the Pride of Katonah!

Kathaleen Linares Katonah

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Westchester Democrats, do we like losing elections?

To the Editor:

On Sunday, Jan. 12, dozens of northern Westchester’s most engaged progressive activists learned — many for the first time — about a countywide special election on Feb. 11 to confirm newly appointed County Executive Ken Jenkins.

Jenkins’s appointment is historic: he is the first Black leader of any suburban New York City county. He was unanimously promoted from deputy to acting county executive after George Latimer left to represent NY District 16 in Congress. Somehow, this extraordinary milestone was barely a blip on the radar for most Westchester liberals, myself included.

The law now requires a special election, scheduled Feb. 11, to fill the rest of George Latimer’s term. Special elections have notoriously low voter turnout, making them vulnerable to political machination and surprises.

Make no mistake: Westchester County Republicans, led by MAGA extremists and a chairman who doubles as County Board of Elections Republican Commissioner, are actively scheming to exploit the lack of awareness around this election. In fact, as early as Dec. 30, Westchester GOP social media accounts announced they were already interviewing candidates.

Contrast that to the progressive activist community — a full two weeks later! — getting caught flat-footed having only just learned of the election to cement Jenkins’s appointment with less than one month to get out the vote.

Democrats, what are we doing here?

The Republican party in the lower Hudson Valley is a well-oiled, well-funded political machine, currently riding a wave of momentum as our nation prepares to swear a convicted felon into highest office (on MLK Day, to add insult to injury).

It begs the question, Do we Democrats actually like losing elections? Because this is just the first of many high-stakes races key to protecting progressive values, defending our immigrant and LGBTQ+ neighbors, and resisting the imminent surge of bigoted and misogynistic policy.

It’s time for a different playbook.

Samantha Banerjee Katonah

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Disappointed not to be reappointed to Veterans Advisory Committee

To the Editor:

As my wife and I prepared to welcome our firstborn, one piece of advice stood out: Parenthood changes you, but it doesn’t erase you. Hold on to what matters most. For me, that’s community service — something I’ve remained committed to despite life’s changes.

That’s why I was disappointed to learn that the town of Bedford decided against renewing my term on the Veterans Advisory Committee upon its expiration this month. To clarify, I had the opportunity to be renewed but only under the condition of undergoing a re-interview. Frankly, I didn’t see this as a good use of anyone’s time — not mine as a new dad to a 6-week-old, nor that of the town board (who have exponentially more important matters to address). I was already interviewed for and appointed to this position three years ago. And in that time, I’ve only made positive contributions to the town through my work with the committee. So what’s changed? Is it because I was critical of this town board during a campaign last year?

Unless there’s an influx of applicants (spoiler: there isn’t and my seat remains vacant), this decision ultimately hurts the very community it aims to serve. Of course, this isn’t the first time I’ve faced rejection from a town of Bedford committee. I’ve been removed from or denied appointment to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee as well as the Comprehensive Emergency Management Planning Task Force. Contrast that with other organizations I’m part of (none of which are commissioned by the town) that value and celebrate my contributions: vice president of the Bedford Hills Lions Club, finance officer for Katonah American Legion, chairman of the Bedford Republican Committee, and president of the Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association.

While some value my commitment, others seem intent on sidelining it — shame on them.

Michael Palladino Bedford Hills

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New businesses: ‘Community hubs’ have been here all along

To the Editor:

This is in response to “Living the sweet life in Bedford.” (Jan. 3). While there have been many new additions to Bedford Village lately, including Mast Market, it is difficult for some longtime Bedford residents to see these businesses quoted in local publications saying things like the following: “It’s been such a … community-hub-type feel, which was something we were hoping for …” Which was written in the aforementioned article. 

This is not the first article covering a new local business where the words “community hub” or “community gathering” have been used to describe said new business. 

I just want to say that while these places are certainly welcome, they are in no way providing this community with any needed “community hub.” Bedford residents know that they live in one of the loveliest and kindest communities with no shortage of community hubs. To say then, that “the village, which I think for a while had been almost more of a historical, sleepy village that you looked at but didn’t go to, is now just a vibrant place to just engage with and shop and meet up with friends” is a little offensive to the people who have lived here for years and raised their kids in a fabulous, vibrant community with no shortage of community hubs. 

It is a wonderful privilege to open up a business that you want, but to credit it with transforming a “historical, sleepy village” that did not need transformation, and which residents are nothing but grateful to call home, feels proprietary. Some may share the Mast brothers’ opinion of Bedford, but this letter’s intention is to give voice to the people who will continue to love the “sleepy, historical” side of Bedford and the intact, long established and sweeter than sweet community that goes along with it. 

Amy Drabek Bedford