Letters to the Editor — October 16

Character counts in NY-17 race

To the Editor:

Courage. Compassion. Integrity. Intelligence.

These are the qualities I want in the people I vote for. And these qualities are, without question, hallmarks of Cait Conley’s decorated military service and her top-level cybersecurity work in Washington, D.C.

For the elected officials on my local ballot — Pete Harckham, Erika Pierce, Chris Burdick, Tony Gonçalves — I add “accountability.” I know these leaders. They are true to their word, battling budget, bullies and the unforeseen to keep our communities vibrant and strong.

I will vote Row A on Nov. 3. Please join me in proudly, joyously sending Cait Conley to Congress.

Joan Becker

Katonah

Urges support for Democrats

To the Editor:

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Earlier this month, my daughter Alana would have turned 13. Instead of bracing for teenage eye rolls, I lit a candle for her.

Alana was stillborn in 2013, two days before her due date, after a “textbook” pregnancy. Since then, I’ve poured my heart into PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, our Katonah-based nonprofit working nationally to end preventable stillbirth. We fight for policy change to ensure every baby gets their best chance and every grieving family receives compassionate support.

I haven’t done this alone. When I first spoke publicly about my loss, then-Supervisor Chris Burdick invited me to address the Town Board, then hand-delivered a framed proclamation to my home. Now in Albany, he co-sponsors legislation extending Paid Family Leave to stillbirth parents. So does state Sen. Pete Harckham, whose version passed the Senate.

Legislator Erika Pierce has repeatedly brought me before the County Health Committee to push a county-level version, and helped light the Tappan Zee Bridge for awareness. Supervisor Ellen Calves, a former nonprofit leader herself, has opened door after door for me.

Democrats across New York have stood with us. But roughly 21,000 American babies are stillborn each year, many of those deaths preventable, like Alana’s. Federal efforts like the SHINE Act and National Postpartum Awareness Week need champions in Congress. Having met Cait Conley several times, I’m confident she’ll be one.

Early voting begins Oct. 24. Please vote for the full Democratic slate. Our babies can’t speak for themselves, but our votes can make their voices heard.

Samantha Durante Banerjee

Katonah

An open letter to Mount Kisco leaders

To the mayor and trustees of Mount Kisco:

We were watching the Oct. 5 meeting and were taken aback by the picture painted by Richard Alexander of our Saturday protests. First and foremost we are exercising our First Amendment rights. Thank you Trustee Luzio for pointing that out. We have tried to stay within the boundaries you set for us throughout the time we have been here protesting.

We are all gathered together for one reason, to save democracy for our children and grandchildren.

We have been here through the rains, the heat of summer and the brutal snowstorms trying to get the message across to our neighbors, since the legacy media does not give a true picture of what is happening. We all bring our own handmade signs, each with their own message. We sing songs and even do a little dancing to keep the joy in our protesting.

We do not shout at passersby except to those who encourage us, we say “Thank you.”

On the other hand, some passersby shout out “get a job, go home, Trump” or even worse obscenities that make your hair curl. We never respond in turn.

As to our signs disrespecting Trump or the office of the president, when we have a president in the White House who acts like the president of the United States we will be the first to show that respect.

This email is not about listing our grievances but to have the truth told.

Tony and Angela Giardina

Mount Kisco

Lawler has made SALT tax worse

To the Editor:

Mike Lawler is trying to extend his inconsequential congressional career on the basis of the State and Local Tax (SALT) federal tax deduction. That’s strange, because Lawler has consistently made the SALT tax worse. He is like someone who stole your car and tries to sell it back to you as if it’s a good deal. Here’s the real deal.

Before the Trump tax increases of 2017, residents of CD-17 could deduct 100% of SALT. No cap. No limit. The 2017 tax increase lowered the SALT deduction to $10,000. Republicans ensured that thousands of dollars of our state and local taxes were double taxed for a decade. The goal was to punish states that didn’t elect Republicans, like New York.

Since he came into office, Lawler has voted over and over for the Republican SALT tax punishment. When the Republican House majority was only a single vote, Lawler again voted for the SALT tax increase. 

The SALT tax punishment was set to expire. The deduction was going to rise to 100%, but Lawler and his comrades prolonged the pain. They raised the cap but only temporarily. It will fall back to $10,000 in a few years. Temporary relief for this election cycle. Another lie. Another bait and switch. A Big Expensive Tax Bill for CD-17 taxpayers.

Lawler’s massive SALT tax increase has cost CD-17 taxpayers thousands of dollars in taxes for nearly a decade. Because of Mike Lawler, taxes are higher. 

This November, I’m voting for Cait Conley.

David Griff

Bedford

Supporting the Democratic slate

To the Editor:

Over 61 years ago we moved permanently to South Salem, Paul’s hometown, because of our love for Lewisboro’s beautiful lakes, wooded hillsides and open spaces. We are grateful that thousands of acres of open space have since been preserved and protected by our county parks, land trust preserves and planning and zoning regulations. We chose volunteering as our way of repaying the town for all it has provided for us, including being surrounded by nature and the opportunity for our daughters to attend the same schools Paul attended in the Katonah-Lewisboro school district.  

Through our volunteer activities we have observed our local, state and county legislators in action. We are deeply appreciative of how their informed leadership has delivered cost-effective environmental protections and important social services. That’s why we strongly support reelecting Democratic state legislators Pete Harckham and Chris Burdick, County Legislator Erika Pierce and Supervisor Tony Gonçalves.

We join these three legislators in enthusiastically supporting Cait Conley as the best qualified candidate for Congress. After graduating from West Point, she served for 16 years on active duty as an Army officer, including six deployments to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. She was awarded three Bronze Stars for displaying the highest degree of professionalism, sound judgement and technical and tactical competence. She is a battle-tested leader who will defend our democracy, safety and environment in Congress with the same professionalism, competence and integrity she brought to her military career.

We urge you to join us in voting for the Democratic candidates on Row A of the ballot. Never have our votes mattered more.  

Jean and Paul Lewis

South Salem

Mike McGuirk is committed to Mount Kisco

To the Editor: 

Even as it feels like the federal government is abandoning its citizens, I am hopeful to have local candidates running for office who are committed to our village. Mike McGuirk is one of those people and that is why I am voting for him for Mount Kisco trustee.

I want our trustees to share my belief that Mount Kisco is a special place to live. I know Mike does because I listen to him talk about how much he’s loved living here with his family for the past 22 years and because he pairs that with action. Mike has served for the past 5½ years on our Village Planning Board, which he’s led as chair for the last 3½. 

Mike already knows how local government works and has been a part of making our town run. He’ll be ready right away to support rebuilding the Preston Way Bridge as his top priority. As part of the Complete Streets Committee, Mike helped secure over $8 million in grants and will ensure we receive the maximum state funding available for the bridge. 

Mike will guide future development in the village in ways that maintain accessibility and affordability. He will work to improve driver and pedestrian safety alongside supporting a thriving local economy.

Mike is committed to responsible and accountable government. He will ensure the village communicates proactively through regular newsletters and e-blasts to residents and businesses and he is committed to ethics training for all village officials.

Mike will listen and respond as a trustee because he already does — to people he agrees with and those with different points of view. Mike is a true mensch whose actions and experience will help our community thrive. I am excited to cast a vote for him and hope you’ll join me.

Jill Resnick

Mount Kisco

Pierce is the fighter we need 

To the Editor:

Erika Pierce has been in office over four years. She has been one of the hardest working, most effective and ethical county legislators ever. She is running for another term and I am voting for her. Let me tell you why. 

She is a champion for all of us — fighting every day for working families to make our lives more affordable and investing in our beautiful towns, schools and parks. She opposes federal cuts and schemes that harm our families and our infrastructure. Erika will fight for our environment. She will fight against out of control utility costs. She will defend our quality of life by working to uphold our safety and health.

Erika supports our residents and neighbors who are just getting by, lifting them up by connecting them to nonprofits who can provide with dignity the additional assistance they need. This includes our food pantries in Mount Kisco and the Community Center of Northern Westchester. Erika works on behalf of the homeless population through the Emergency Shelter Partnership. Neighbors Link and the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester have always been able to count on her. Wherever there is a need, she is there to listen and fight for what is needed. 

Erika Pierce is smart, tough and compassionate. And she is exactly the kind of fighter we need as our county legislator. 

Anne Twomey Lloyd

Katonah

Experience matters in county government

To the Editor:

I served as a Westchester County legislator from 1998 until late 2019, including four years as chairman of the Board of Legislators, followed by six years as deputy commissioner in Westchester County’s Department of Environmental Facilities.

Those years taught me how much county government matters in daily lives — often in ways we may not fully appreciate. Westchester County provides essential services, from public safety, healthcare, transportation and environmental facilities such as recycling, drinking water and wastewater to parks, social services and programs that support seniors, families and people in need. Making these services work effectively requires sound judgment, diligence, knowledge of the issues and a commitment to the public good.

After more than two decades in county government, I know an excellent legislator when I see one.

Erika Pierce is smart, conscientious, hardworking … and experienced. She understands the responsibilities of the job and approaches them with the seriousness and dedication our residents deserve.

I am particularly pleased to say that I am honored to have Erika as my own county legislator. I know firsthand what this job demands and I recognize the qualities that make someone effective at it. Erika has those qualities.

Elections are an opportunity to choose not just a party or a platform, but a person who can be trusted to do the work, make informed decisions and represent the interests of the community. Based on my experience, Erika Pierce has earned another term.

I urge Westchester voters to reelect Erika Pierce to the Board of Legislators.

Michael Kaplowitz

Somers

Grateful for the work Pierce has done

To the Editor:

When it comes to impact on our daily lives, local government is where a lot of the real work happens. In Westchester County, we could have no better champion for District 2 than Legislator Erika Pierce.

Since taking office in 2022, Erika has seemingly managed to be everywhere all the time. She is a reliably well informed, attentive and empathic presence at public forums, community events and meet and greets. And she does more than just show up. With every conversation, Erika focuses her considerable smarts and discipline to better understand our problems so she can work to solve them, to identify quality-of-life opportunities so she can work to make them a reality. 

And she has shown she gets things done. Among her accomplishments: reining in property tax increases (and publicly pressuring utility companies to roll back intended rate hikes — a fight that continues); securing investments in affordable housing, in local nonprofits, and in our county parks; fighting for tax exemptions for veterans and first responders; advancing clean water and waste management initiatives.  

I am grateful for the good work Erika Pierce has done as our Westchester County legislator for District 2, and I hope you will join me in voting to reelect her to that position in November. There’s more to be done.

Virginia Lanigan

Katonah

Pierce is a fierce advocate

To the Editor:

I’m writing to support the reelection of Erika Pierce for Westchester County legislator because she is a fierce advocate for her constituents who will stop at nothing to help the people in her district. 

I first met Erika in Katonah in 2016, in the aftermath of an election that left many of us searching for hope and a constructive way forward. Erika organized a march that brought hundreds of residents from Katonah and neighboring communities together around a simple but powerful message: empathy, not hate; compassion, not division. That moment revealed something fundamental about Erika — she is not afraid to lead with her heart, and she has carried that spirit into every aspect of her public service. 

Today, as county legislator, Erika advocates for underserved communities, supports our unhoused neighbors, stands up for veterans and families who depend on essential services, and works to protect our parks, environment, and public spaces. She understands that while people’s circumstances may differ, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. 

Whether she is knocking on hundreds of doors, standing on train platforms before sunrise, or attending community events, she makes time to hear directly from residents. She wants to know what is keeping people up at night, from rising utility bills and grocery costs to concerns about health insurance and the challenges facing families working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. For Erika, these are not political talking points; they are real concerns affecting her neighbors and constituents. 

Our communities are stronger when we have representatives who care deeply and work tirelessly for the people they serve. Join me in reelecting Erika Pierce. 

Alicia Kempin

District leader, Bedford Democrats

Katonah 

Look closely at Lawler’s SALT claims

To the Editor:

Congressman Mike Lawler’s recent “tastes great, less filling” ads tout his role in “saving SALT” (Federal deductibility of state and local taxes). But voters should look closely at what that means.

The federal SALT deduction was capped at $10,000 in 2017. The 2025 tax law increased the limit to $40,000, but only temporarily; under current law, the higher limit expires after 2029. The deduction also phases down for taxpayers with higher incomes.

Lawler’s claim that he is  “lowering your taxes” leaves out important context. For many homeowners in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, property taxes alone can exceed the previous $10,000 limit. So voters should realize that Lawler’s temporary increase fails to adequately address the underlying problem. And had Mike Lawler not voted to keep SALT, this burden on local taxpayers would have expired, and homeowners would once again have been able to deduct the full amount of their property taxes. 

SALT is only one issue. Lawler’s record should also be considered in evaluating the 2025 tax law and its effects on healthcare, nutrition assistance and other federal programs that were cut. The law made significant changes to Medicaid and SNAP, while also providing a number of new tax deductions and other tax changes.

Campaign advertising naturally emphasizes a candidate’s accomplishments. Voters, however, deserve a complete picture — including what a representative voted for, what those policies mean locally and whether the benefits are temporary or lasting.

As residents of this high-tax, high-cost region, we should look beyond the slogans and examine the record carefully. Mr Lawler’s claims often don’t add up.

Maria Schafer

Somers

Hansan proud to support Conley

To the Editor:

As town supervisor of Pound Ridge since 2018, I have worked with elected officials at all levels of government. I’ve learned that effective leadership takes more than good intentions. It requires listening, understanding complex issues, building relationships with people who hold different views, and, most importantly, getting things done for the people we are elected to serve. That is how our elected officials should be measured.

Cait Conley brings an unusual combination of experience in military service, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and national security to her candidacy for Congress. I believe these areas will become even more important in Washington, D.C., alongside the affordability challenges facing working families.

As we know, national security today extends far beyond traditional military threats, and cyberattacks can disrupt hospitals, utilities, businesses, schools and local governments. Artificial intelligence is transforming our economy, creating extraordinary opportunities while raising serious questions about privacy, accountability and the future of jobs.

What has impressed me most about Cait is her approach to people and problem-solving. She is personable, approachable and genuinely interested in different perspectives. She listens, asks thoughtful questions, and focuses on practical solutions rather than political ideology. At a time when finding common ground in politics has become increasingly difficult, these are qualities I value.

My support for Cait Conley is rooted in both her professional experience and the personal qualities I have observed in getting to know her. Her understanding of complex national challenges, combined with her thoughtful, collaborative approach to public service, is why I am proud to support her.

Kevin Hansan

Pound Ridge town supervisor

Pierce a champion for the people

To the Editor:

Now, more than ever, we need a skilled, capable, and experienced county legislator for District 2. From 2017-2021, Erika served as legislative aide to then-County Legislator Kitley Covill. She ran for the position and was elected to the Westchester Board of Legislators in November of 2021. Although she took office in 2022, Erika has been a champion for the people of District 2 for the past decade. 

Erika Pierce is a fiscally responsible and wise problem solver who understands how Westchester government works and has the track record of getting legislative and funding goals achieved to prove it. 

Erika Pierce will always fight for the needs of all her constituents — a senior citizen in need of housing assistance, a neighbor working two jobs to make ends meet, parents struggling with a teen in the midst of a mental health crisis, first responders, veterans, small business owners, drivers and lovers of our parks. 

A vote for Erika Pierce is a vote for District 2! 

Lauren and Dan Smith

Katonah

Will vote to save democracy

To the Editor:

I’ve never been so disgusted with government as I am this year. I used to believe that government was there for the good of its citizens. It helped regulate agencies and deliver economic fairness to its citizens. It had checks and balances built into the system that would protect Americans from corruption, from vindictiveness, from cruelty. And from the power and influence of billionaires, such as Elon Musk, who gave $276 million to Republican organizations and received lucrative government contracts for his businesses. 

I foolishly trusted that the courts and Congress would protect its citizens from an elected official who chooses to sidestep the law, redecorate Washington, D.C., chop down hundreds of trees to build a golf course, destroy a beloved cultural institution because they wouldn’t put up a name plaque, and start an unnecessary war which resulted in a worldwide energy crisis. All this, rather than fund Medicaid and scientific research.

My household costs have increased significantly — energy, food, gasoline, home and health insurance all trending upwards. Makes you wonder if there’s a connection between corruption, capricious tariffs, excessive tax write-offs for corporations and billionaires and my diminished discretionary income. 

All of these concerns, and many others not mentioned, are why I am voting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for Cait Conley for Congress and for all the Democratic candidates. Please vote to save our precious democracy.

Ellen Brief

Lewisboro

Rethink the ‘mow-and-blow’ landscape approach

To the Editor:

Over the years, routine landscaping has become an intensive system of mowing, blowing, hauling and applying chemicals, often with negative effects on the ecological health of the landscape.

One very visible example is our continued reliance on gasoline-powered leaf blowers. Didn’t we reach a democratic agreement that they would only be allowed from the last week of October until the first week of December? So why are we still hearing and seeing them everywhere?

There are better ways to deal with fallen leaves. Cornell and turf professionals recommend mulch-mowing leaves into lawns and leaving them beneath trees, shrubs, and in planting beds, where they improve the soil and provide habitat. With these practices, battery-powered equipment is generally sufficient for most hardscapes.

Unfortunately, many of the 2,000-plus landscaping companies serving Westchester still rely heavily on conventional “mow-and-blow” practices. That is a missed opportunity. There is meaningful work beyond routine cleanup: organic lawn care, invasive-species management and native plant care.

Even more concerning, many companies appear to ignore local gasoline leaf-blower regulations. That is unfair to the companies that have invested in cleaner equipment and are making an effort to comply.

Restrictions on gasoline-powered blowers are one place to start creating healthier landscapes. Another is reducing lawn area and introducing more native plants, which support butterflies, birds and other wildlife while helping protect soil and reduce erosion.

If you would like to learn more about creating a healthier landscape, join us on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Native Seed Event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Community House in Bedford Hills. It is a free event. You can learn more about ecological landscaping and take home a choice of native plant seeds. We are looking forward to seeing you.

Allison O’Rourke, Wild Ones Lower Hudson Valley

Filippine Hoogland, Healthy Yards