Candidate Profile: Rachel Berkey For Harrison Town Board

HARRISON, NY — In 2021's general election, residents of the Hudson Valley will be voting for local officials. In anticipation, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Rachel Berkey is seeking election to the Harrison Town Board in November. The 69-year-old is running on the Moving Harrison Forward ticket as a Democrat.

Learn more about Berkey on movingharrisonforward.com

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Rachel Berkey:

Family

David Berkey, husband, 69 years old; Michael Berkey, son, 36 years old; Adam Berkey, son, 32 years old

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

JD - Cardozo School of Law; MLS - Palmer School of Library Science and Information Technology (Long Island University); MS - Syracuse University; BA - American University

Occupation

School Librarian and Media Specialist - 21 years of experience

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking elective office because over the last 10 years there has been pervasive partisanship in Harrison. We need to move past this "status quo" which has limited the opportunities for anyone not affiliated with the present administration. Harrison's municipal government has lagged behind in environmental initiatives and needs to improve our town's infrastructure to deal with the effects of climate change. Our town must take actions required to achieve Climate Smart Community certification (Bronze, Silver) status. We need to be transparent in our government decision making. The town's communication with residents needs to improve, whether we are advising them about impending storms or assisting them to obtain government aid and other information about our municipal departments.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Our residents have many concerns about our flooding issues. I personally saw the tremendous amount of damage done to our homes after Hurricane Ida ripped through our community. Our local political leaders and those of us who experienced the devastating effects of the storm need to come together to meet and discuss how we move forward after this devastation. Specifically, we need to advocate for an improved flood mitigation infrastructure, begin to thoughtfully evaluate our zoning approvals, and install an emergency communications network and storm water management system.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Our Moving Harrison Forward team is committed to ensuring that our residents' concerns are heard. We have met with countless citizens over the last several months to introduce ourselves and ask them what is on their minds. What are the changes that Harrison should consider to improve the quality of life here and what can we do to help them? Not only will I listen to our residents, I will be a strong advocate for their needs and concerns.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I believe that our local officials performed well during the coronavirus pandemic. The schools ensured that our students were educated and the town businesses and restaurants to ensure that they survive. We need to be vigilant and prepared to manage both disease and environmental disasters in the future.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We need to address flood-related projects, specifically plans on how to create a virtual emergency operations center for dispatch, flash flood rescue training, and designating prepared evacuation sites. We also support preservation of our trees, parks and green spaces and oppose over-development.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have worked my whole life. During college I held part-time jobs to pay for my tuition and books. After graduating and moving to New York City, I worked full-time as a Contract and Grant Writing Specialist at the Research Foundation of the City University of New York. When my sons were young, I worked as the librarian at the Harrison Avenue School. When they were in middle and high school, I accepted a job in New York City as the Head Librarian at the Churchill School and Center, a K-12 school for children with language-based learning disabilities. In this challenging position, I created a 15,000 volume library for the students, teachers and parents.

I am goal-oriented and proud of my strong work ethic and excellent communication skills.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'til your good is better and your better is best."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My husband and I chose to live in Harrison because of its sense of community, strong public schools, and friendly people. Our family has thrived here and we have always felt that we belonged. I love walking my dog around our neighborhood, while meeting and chatting with my neighbors.

I worked full-time while raising our sons, first as the librarian at Harrison Avenue School and then for over 15 years as the Head Librarian at the Churchill School and Center in New York City. I am a board member of the Harrison Children's Center, Student Advocacy of Westchester and a trustee at the Jewish Community Center of Harrison.

Our team has been endorsed by US representative Mondaire Jones, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, State Senator Shelley Mayer, and Assemblymember Chris Burdick and County Legislators Nancy Barr, Benjamin Boykin and Catherine Parker. We also have been endorsed by the Working Families Party, Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body and the Building and Trades Council of Westchester/Putnam. The New York League of Conservation Voters has endorsed Frank Gordon's candidacy for Mayor/Supervisor.

These elected officials and organizations support our ideas, qualifications and initiatives so necessary to accomplish our goal to ensure that our residents will always feel that "It's Great to live in Harrison".

Please consider voting for us on Tuesday, November 2. Thank you.

Find information about absentee and early voting here: Election 2021: New Systems For Early Voting In Westchester. To find all your candidates, as well as statewide, county and local propositions, follow the links offered by the Board of Elections:

• View the 2021 General Election Candidates List.
• View the 2021 General Election State Propositions.
• View the 2021 General Election County and Local Propositions.