Neighbor News
Entrepreneurial Elder / Glen Cove City Council Candidate Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews
Many know Gaitley as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church, but few know that this entrepreneur made his start playing opposite Barney!
"Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews’ unique set of skills, drive, and vision are just what our city needs,” says Glen Cove resident Jay Baron.
Gaitley began his career as a professional stage actor, and as a featured character, Monty the Mountie, on the Barney and Friends home video series, “What a World We Share.” While his passion for acting was strong, his passion for producing and community building was even stronger. This was not only the case as he served as Producing Director of a theatre company, as a college professor and as a speech and acting coach, but also in his years of volunteering and his work as an Elder at his church, First Presbyterian of Glen Cove.
“Whether it be about life, work, church, and yes, even politics, it's about getting to the core of the issue and working with people from strength to strength to find solutions,” says Gaitley. “Most importantly, especially in city government, it’s about listening to the people, and basing decisions about the city on what they, the taxpaying public, want for their city.”
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Gaitley brings his own set of skills to the table. In addition to his practical work experience, he holds BA and MA degrees, as well as administrative training via the San Francisco Support Center for Nonprofit Management. He brings a fresh approach to problem-solving and insists that all voices are heard, and all stakeholders have a place at the table.
Gaitley feels strongly that supporting Glen Cove’s children is a wise investment in the city’s future. His commitment to children and education is engrained in Gaitley. Whether it is rejoicing with the congregation in celebrating the successes of the church youth, lighting a candle at a neighbor’s Bat Mitzvah reception in recognition of having been part of her upbringing as a neighbor and close family friend, or pushing for funding and support for our schools and after-school programs that empower teachers and other educators to bring the best they have to offer to their students, supporting youth is an integral part of Gaitley’s life.
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His commitment to education also stems from having pursued specialized training as an Academic Language Therapist, and in having worked for many years helping children with learning disorders such as Dyslexia. The goal was to help all children excel. “Good teachers, given the right tools, can change lives, I’ve seen it happen first hand,” states Gaitley. "While taxes are always an issue, and it’s important that the people's money be spent wisely, I do not begrudge the expenditure of tax dollars when spent wisely to help our children… all our children excel.” That said, Gaitley will bring a commitment to fiscal responsibility to the City Council, drawing on his experience as an administrator and community leader. He believes that government should work for the people. Honored to be running on the Democratic slate as part of Team Tenke, Gaitley promises a government that is transparent and accountable to the people.
One supporter remarked to Gaitley that perhaps he should not bring up his background in children’s programming to which Gaitley responded, “We may laugh at Barney, but his message to children is spot-on. In fact, his ideas of sharing and working together might not be a bad message for City Hall. No, I won’t be wearing my Monty the Mountie costume to city hall and will be calling on my “grown-up” background as a community leader and entrepreneur as I fight for the people of our great city, but those 5-year olds who watched me on Barney close to twenty years ago are now of voting age. They sang along with the purple dinosaur and me then, I hope they’ll vote for me now! Kidding aside, I am honored to be representing these newer voters as well as all the many citizens of Glen Cove.”
Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews is running for Glen Cove City Council on the Democratic Slate. More information on Gaitley can be found at www.GaitleyComeTalk2Me.com. More information on the City of Glen Cove Democratic Slate can be found at www.glencovedemocrats.org.
