Councilman Nears 30 Years of Serving Harrison

Councilman Pat Vetere is an old-time politician. He doesn't own a computer or use email. If you want to discuss an issue, he will walk over to meet you for a chat.

He "gets together with the boys" - five to 10 local men - from 6:45 to 8:30 a.m. each morning at Harrison Donuts. There, they discuss what is happening in town, and what needs to happen in the future.

He said he only reads the Board's information packets if they're interesting because he gets his most important information from walking the streets and talking to the locals he grew up with.

"This job is all about  people. It's about representing  residents and helping them. You can get carried away with party biases, with personal emotion or your own ego. I don't care about politics – let the people decide that at voting time. My job is trying to do the right thing for this community," Vetere said.

Vetere,  who is 80-years-old, was born in Harrison and has lived here his entire life. In 1955 he built the house he still lives in to this day, and married his wife in 1956. 

"We had a $7,000 mortgage on the house and thought we would never be able to pay off that huge a sum," he said.

He and his wife, Carol, raised four children in Harrison who all went to local schools. Carol died in 1998, and apart from his role as councilman, Vetere spends his days growing vegetables, playing golf and traveling to visit his four children, six grandchildren and first great grandchild.

Vetere began his political life in Harrison in 1981. He cites our best mayors since then, as Charlie Balancia, who served from 1990 to 1994, and Ronnie Bianchi, who served from 1998 to 2002.

"Charlie was as smart as they come.  Ronnie had a great way about him and was very easy to work with," he said.

And the toughest Mayor to work with?

"Definitely Phil Marraccini, who served from 1994 to 199,." Vetere said.

After five years on the Zoning Board and 24 years on the Town Board, Vetere said he has seen it all. His funniest memory is of town resident Lucille Held, dressed in red, lying on the floor at a town meeting in protest.

"She was a lot younger then, so she could get down and up without a problem! Now I call her 'the lady in red' - she's a great gal –she does her homework on issues and she's on the money," he said about Held.

Vetere's political platform is all about development.

"Development is what makes a town grow. If you don't have building going on, the economy is in trouble."

When asked how he aligns that with the documented, Harrison resident majority's anti high-density development stance, he shakes his head.

"Everyone has a right to their own opinion. No one wants it in their back yard. Well, we'll just have to put it in their front yard then! When you don't have construction, you have a problem," he said.

Vetere's main push this term, is for the proposed MTA development downtown.

"It would bring much needed resident parking, more downtown residents, and a merchant upgrade to the area. It will also help existing business owners by bringing in the foot traffic they need," Vetere said.

He said he also sees a need for senior citizen housing developments.

"Our obligation as elected officials is to take care of our seniors.  We need these developments in town, badly. One great site would be where the current Mintzer Center is," he said.

Vetere cites his proudest achievement in office, as Passidomo Park with its synthetic playing field in West Harrison.

The worst issue was the Facebook issue last year. He said he still feels strongly that the resolution of that issue was a bad one.

"The men who were involved should have been fired. I said it at the time, and I continue to say it now. There's no question in my mind," Vetere said.

Vetere said he believes all issues should be decided without referring to party lines.

"My role is to do what the people tell me to do. I don't care what party someone is from when they raise an issue; it's the issue that counts. In fact, the Republicans keep trying to get me to come over to their side, but I'm a Democrat through and through. I can work with either side though, and don't believe in showing partiality," he said.

Vetere said that, for as long as he remains in good health, he will continue to run for additional terms.

"I can still make a contribution. I was an operating engineer for heavy construction, and I have a lot to contribute to the road systems and to building development. I know this community and the people," he said.

Would he ever run for Mayor?

"No way! I like my freedom. I'm a way better second banana!"