Letters to the Editor October 3

Former Katonah Village Library presidents support ballot proposition

To the Editor:

We support the upcoming Town of Bedford Libraries Ballot Proposition (aka, “the 414”) being put before town voters on Nov. 4. Passage of the 414 will allow voters to directly fund their three town libraries at the levels required to operate stably and consistently in the years ahead. 

We led the governing boards of Katonah Village Library (“KVL”) after our Town Board’s 2010 decision to cut library funding by 10% — a drastic measure that, to this day, has saddled our libraries with some of the lowest public funding rates among Westchester’s 38 libraries. 

Rather than focus on setting strategic direction and policies to maximize patron services, the drop in our town funding forced KVL to spend 10-plus years relentlessly fundraising to fill a growing budget shortfall. We soon realized the folly of relying on fundraising to cover our core operations. The amount of money we raised was unreliable from year to year, and it could not keep pace with the increases in our non-controllable costs (i.e., health insurance costs, library system fees, and energy prices, among them.) Each year, we had hopes that our detailed budget presentations would cause the Town Board to come through, but they could never find more than a fraction of what was needed to stabilize our library.

A vote “Yes!” on the 414 will give our libraries dedicated, non-discretionary dollars that are insulated from the shifting priorities of our Town’s budget. It will allow our libraries — their directors, their staff, and their governing boards —  to deliver on their mission and vision for the good of the community, and to plan confidently for the future. 

Michael Dwyer, president KVL board, 2021-2023 Virginia Lanigan, president, KVL board, 2016-2020 Douglas McLaughlin, president, KVL board, 2013-2015

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Lewisboro writer supports Gonçalves, Shah and Hadlock

To the Editor:

This November is a critical election for Lewisboro. The future direction of our town hangs in the balance.

As an involved resident, born and raised in Lewisboro, I wholeheartedly support Tony Gonçalves for town supervisor and Mary Shah and Julia Hadlock for Town Board. We face a choice between progress and regression.

Tony Gonçalves continues his proven leadership as our incumbent town supervisor, providing stability and experience that our town needs. His consensus-building agenda and “roll up your sleeves” approach to doing the work has elevated our town by tackling large, complex projects for our community. 

Mary Shah has delivered real results: she’s improved infrastructure, responded promptly to residents, and worked collaboratively to move projects forward. Her hands-on problem-solving approach has already improved town operations. Mary continues to prove she gets things done through cooperation, not confrontation.

Julia Hadlock brings over a decade of proven leadership. Her Katonah-Lewisboro school board and Finance Committee chair experience demonstrate needed fiscal expertise. From coordinating veterans’ events to leading environmental initiatives, Julia builds bridges and delivers results through collaboration and organization. 

The contrast is stark. While they focus on solutions and building consensus, their opposition specializes in grandstanding and obstructing progress. Their destructive right-wing agenda includes defunding the Lewisboro Library and eliminating support for the annual Lewisboro Pride event, among other regressive plans that would tear apart our community’s inclusive fabric.

This Democratic slate represents collaborative problem-solving — bringing people and progress together instead of tearing things down. They’ve proven they can build consensus, manage budgets responsibly, and find solutions while supporting progress. While others grandstand, they lead.

Early voting is Oct. 25 to Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 4, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Vote for the Democratic slate: Gonçalves, Shah and Hadlock — our community depends on it now more than ever. 

Jason Pignatiello Waccabuc

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Writer has concerns about hunger, federal funding

To the Editor:

If your household is earning $106,199 in Westchester, you are officially categorized as “struggling to meet needs.” I did a double take reading that. The United Way is quick to point out that number is outdated.

The Recorder quoted an area food pantry director saying seniors on fixed incomes cannot keep up. Seniors are the fastest growing group for pantries at a time when supermarket chains are reporting increased quarterly profits. How is that? 

Know that pantries are, by design, only supposed to help folks get back on their feet. I am reading in that article that federal funding for “Feeding Westchester” was just cut from $9.1 million to $6.6 million. 

I want to know from Congress that voted to cut the Social Security net what the game plan is here. If you are making it even more difficult for people to pull themselves out of poverty, where exactly do you think this is going?

Jean Duckett South Salem

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Lewisboro Library Fair supporters and committee members thanked

To the Editor:

Thank you to everyone who celebrated and supported the annual Lewisboro Library Fair on Sept. 20 at Onatru Farm! The Fair is our biggest fundraiser, so we are grateful for all those who played, shopped and socialized while raising funds for THEIR library. 

We truly appreciate the tireless efforts of our volunteers and community groups, as well as the generous funding from Fair sponsors that helped make this event such a success! Thank you to sponsors: BMW of Ridgefield, Clark Associates Funeral Home, Cooney Tree Service, Gina Cooney/Giner Realty, COMD, Curry & Hovis, Eurocar, Goldens Bridge Veterinary Center, Hogan, Rossi & Liguori, Hudson Milk & Market, JPL Construction, Keane’s Autoworks, Marshall Oil Company, Meadow Ridge, NeuGroup, Oster Trucking, The Recorder, Ring’s End, South Salem Auto Care, South Salem Nursery School, Tom’s Outdoor Services and Zoë Wood Bontecou Art.

A HUGE thanks to the 2025 Fair Committee Chairs and individual volunteers who work tirelessly both before and after the fair. We are deeply grateful for your dedication and contributing so generously of your time.

Local organizations and businesses also supported the Library Fair via in-kind donations and volunteer time. Please see our complete list of supporters on the library website and join us in supporting these organizations. They made this fair possible!

Finally, our biggest thank you goes to Fair Coordinator Nina Andrews, whose love for the library shines through in her enthusiasm, leadership and organization that made the fair such a success in raising funds for the library, funds that go directly to support our daily operations.

We look forward to seeing you at the next Lewisboro Library Fair! 

Lewisboro Library Director Cindy Rubino  The Lewisboro Library Board of Trustees