The issues have been debated, doorbells rung, fliers distributed, and on Tuesday we will vote in a crucial election that will determine the future of Croton. We will have the opportunity to, once and for all, dismiss the last vestiges of the ethically challenged Wiegman administration from the village board and make the necessary transition to Croton United’s Mark Aarons and Dan McNatty. Two seasoned professionals of unquestioned integrity who will bring decades of legal and financial management experience to the board. And who will ensure that you continue to receive the highest level of village services while your taxes are maintained at the lowest possible level.
“While partisan passions are running high on the national level this year, it is essential that we recognize that national parties and partisanship have no place in local government. We must separate our party loyalties from our concerns over how our village will be managed.
If we can do this, there will be no question that Mark Aarons and Dan McNatty are, by far, the superior choices for Croton Trustee. They will continue the process of restoring open, responsive, ethical, and financially sustainable government to all of the citizens of our village.”
Mark and Dan, working with Mayor Greg Schmidt and Trustees Bob Anderson and Ken Walsh, will ensure that your right to question board members is never again taken from you. That village finances are professionally managed and that Croton’s massive debt is reduced in a responsible manner. That all current and future programs and projects are effectively planned, scheduled, and evaluated and that the village never again takes on financial commitments that it cannot reasonably afford. That discussion and debate among board members are encouraged, not prohibited, and that differing opinions are welcomed to ensure that the best solutions for all of the residents of Croton are ultimately agreed upon.
Or you can vote for the other guys. The folks whose total lack of financial acumen saddled you with the Gouveia albatross that will drain village funds for as long as we can foresee. Whose undisciplined borrowing, including borrowing for operating expenses, made Croton one of the most indebted villages in all of New York State. Who reversed decades of village practice and prohibited you from questioning your village officials. Who operated behind closed doors, suppressed debate, and voted unanimously on essentially every issue. Who paid taxpayer funds to sitting board members, at times under highly questionable circumstances. And who were so often less than forthright in discussing village actions and issues with you.
The comparison is stark. The choice is clear.
While partisan passions are running high on the national level this year, it is essential that we recognize that national parties and partisanship have no place in local government. We must separate our party loyalties from our concerns over how our village will be managed.
If we can do this, there will be no question that Mark Aarons and Dan McNatty are, by far, the superior choices for Croton Trustee. They will continue the process of restoring open, responsive, ethical, and financially sustainable government to all of the citizens of our village.
You will find them on Row I under Croton United in the lower right hand corner of your ballot. The Board of Elections may have placed them at the bottom of the ballot, but they are far, far above the competition when it comes to experience, competence, and integrity.
Sincerely,
Joel E. Gingold