Election Day Letter from Omar Herrera. The #OneOssining Movement.

Omar Herrera-a Mayor for All. Progressive Values. Responsible Progress

Today, as an Ossining resident, you will head to the polls and cast your ballot. Fortunately, you will finally have an option for Village Mayor. We hope for change. Experience, character, principles, and progressive values are the core to the change we seek for during these difficult times. My proven commitment to these beliefs and our community has been the force to igniting the path toward further growth and progress. As a leader, it is crucial for me to continue to build relationships, listen to diverse opinions, advocate for the well-being of all our citizens. A Mayor needs to advocate and lead the re-building of the trust between the village and residents and bring responsible progress together. This is why I am running and ask that you seriously consider supporting me as I hope to be the next Mayor of Ossining-a Mayor for all.

I believe:

It is my job to help facilitate public access to our decision making process, not obstruct it. I am committed to open government, as mayor I will make sure that publicly noticed meetings are live streamed and/or recorded for public viewing. My opponent is against recording public budget meetings.

Behavior during trying times is the true reflection of one’s character. My opponent claims to be civil and the mature choice for Mayor of Ossining. There have been many moments where I join residents and question my opponent’s patience and judgment. At a recent Village meeting, my opponent lost her patience and aggressively slammed her hands on a table and began to yell uncontrollably, when I requested the Board of Trustees to consider recording and streaming budget meetings for public access and review.

Development without collaboration and planning is a sign of irresponsible and disconnected government. A comprehensive development plan has existed in Ossining for many years, now during an election year- it’s a priority. However, initiative has not been taken to attract businesses and promote responsible development. Spot development is irresponsible and not a sign of progress. Thus, I have requested consideration of a potential moratorium on development until we can construct a responsible comprehensive plan reflective of a growing residential, business, and school community. In four years, my opponent has not initiated dialogue nor led a single development project on her own initiative. We can’t take credit for personal investment in our community by individuals and previous boards.

Our aging infrastructure continues to crumble. We have declining roads and underground systems in our Village with no real comprehensive plan for repair and maintenance. If we fail to maintain our aging infrastructure, reacting to emergency repair will continue to be the norm. Yet, instead of seeking and initiating funding for these worthy projects, my opponent boasts a 0% tax raise as a response to fulfilling essential needs. Meanwhile, it is important to note the majority of tax-burden comes from the school district, county and state.

A collaborative resident-led Village of Ossining LGBTQ+ Task Force should be created. My opponent seeks praise for introducing Gender Neutral signage in already single-use restrooms, a policy and initiative I and the entire Village Board supported.

Implementation of bilingual language access to connect with 50% of the Ossining community is essential to better communication and understanding. Bilingual residents need and deserve to know and understand what is happening in their government. My opponent states she is for “all” and is bilingual. Yet, she has neglected to introduce any type of language access project, initiative, or policy during her years in elected office.

It won’t be necessary for residents to march to my door to be heard. Unlike my opponent, I am open to listening and discussing alternative points of view. My opponent claims to care about housing and inclusion. At a Democratic Committee meeting, the Mayor and her husband used profanity to express their feelings towards a civil protest that took place outside of their home on a public sidewalk. The protest was organized to elicit a response regarding the housing crisis in Ossining. An issue which she categorically ignored at first. At the meeting, the Mayor stated that these residents who were exercising their first amendment rights, no longer had a seat at the table. Diana Lemon, head of the NAACP at the time, addressed the Mayor’s reaction at an Ossining Democratic Committee meeting. She wrote an open letter to address the Mayor’s lack of response to the housing issue and requested an explanation. Behind closed doors, local political forces requested to have Ms. Lemon’s open letter removed from the record. Diana till this day is awaiting acknowledgment and an apology from the Mayor and her husband.

Running for elected office is part of a strong democracy. Democracy is not determined by affiliation with a specific political party. Incumbency and local political alliance should not be prerequisites for endorsement. Being told by the local Democratic Party to “wait my turn,” I was endorsed by the Working Families Party. Delayed progress will continue to be at the expense of our community. My opponent is a member of the local Democratic Party and taxpayers can expect divisive and irresponsible “business as usual” as she continues to promote redundant ideas from within the ranks and God-forbid you question or disagree with plans being presented.

In conclusion, my affiliation with our amazing Village is organic and I am humbled by my upbringing and inclusive values. Caring for our “environment” should be inclusive of understanding the needs of the people. I work for the people of Ossining. Prior to my election as Village Trustee, my commitment to Ossining has come by way of volunteerism, service, and leadership within our Junior Fire Department and Immigrant Coalition. I am a founding member of the Ossining Shelter Project, former Deputy Mayor, and Advisory Board Member of the Ossining Microfund. I am a 10-year member of the Ossining Democratic Committee, Honorary Member of the Ossining Rotary Club, and served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce. My experience is at the local, county and state levels of government. I have worked as an intern under State Assemblywoman, Sandy Galef and Assistant to County Legislator, Catherine Borgia.

Ossining has been changing but for who and by whom? Join me in truly working hard to include everyone not just some. We can’t move forward until we truly acknowledge real quality of life issues, selective enforcement, our role with youth, the homeless, seniors and re-building our trust with businesses.

This campaign has had so many wins already. We have changed the way status-quo institutionalized elections run and will operate in the future at the local level. Thank you to the many residents, the overwhelming amount of local businesses, non-elected local leaders, grassroots organizers, activist, advocates, parents, youth, seniors and many members and clergy of our faith community. We have shown and proven the reality that many Village of Ossining residents truly feel unrepresented, disconnected and unheard by their government and my opponent- their current Mayor. We have shown what it is to take on the political machine and/or establishment. We have involved over 100 volunteers, many their first time working in a campaign and getting involved in local government. Our grassroots endorsements have been truly local and people-led, not from the people and powers outside of our community. Now is the time to stand up and VOTE on ROW E- Working Families Party line- saying clearly that just any Democrat won't do on Tuesday, November, 6th.

Together we can be #OneOssining.