Letter to the Editor: Ossining Mayoral Election

We are now only a couple days away from election day and I would urge you to vote in the very important election for the Mayor of Ossining; and I would further urge you to cast your ballot for the Mayor of Ossining, Mayor Bill Hanauer on the Working Party - line “D”.

It seems to me the contrast between Mayor Hanauer and the current democratic candidate is like night and day, although both seem to be running on the same platform – Change. Yes, we all want change – that is an improvement in downtown Ossining, an improvement in the quality of life, and yes, less taxation.

The question is who is going to actually accomplish this? Currently, we have a Mayor who has accomplished much change with the construction and rental of the Avalon project on North Highland Ave. And the Ginsberg project on the riverfront is under construction to the tune of $85 million. Further, combination commercial and residential buildings are nearing completion on both Main Street and Croton Ave. That is change, and more importantly – progress!

Has downtown Ossining become the Mecca we would all like it to be – no - but with Bill Hanauer’s vision, it is clearly fast improving after many, many years of decline and neglect. As a lifelong resident of Ossining, I recall going into the stores on Spring Street and Main Street as a child. Specifically, Hillikers, the local department store, was the mainstay on Main street, but close by was a local haberdashery called Falk’s – I would bore me (at the age of six) to tears stopping in there with my mother, and listening to the owner, Mr. Falk, expressing his apprehensions about his son, Peter, who wanted to become an actor. And there was Kipp’s, the pharmacy and soda fountain, in the center of the block, which burned to the ground some 20 years ago, leaving a gaping hole among Main Streets most historic Victorian buildings. And until only recently has a storefront begun to reappear in this location. In the early sixties, downtown shopping moved out to the strip malls, and then to the mega malls, leaving downtown villages like Ossining coping with a flight of pedestrian traffic, and commercial stores soon closed. Then came the bulldozers, removing structures that were economically unsustainable, and being replaced with parking lots. Now, finally, with some vision and a lot of hard work there appears to be Renaissance, of sorts. Downtown Ossining has seen significant change and revitalization over the past few years. A couple restaurants have opened. Attractive apartments have begun to be constructed. Downtown Ossining has attracted new residents, and is beginning to draw in new businesses. Revitalization is occurring and it needs to continue on the path set by Mayor Bill Hanauer.

In contrast to the mayor, Victoria Gearity somehow got nominated as the Democratic candidate – one needs to ask the question – how? Ms. Gearity has served as a Village Trustee for the past year and a half with no particular distinction, and has no previous experience at a municipal level, much less as an administrator, on any level. As noted in a letter to Lohud.com (8/21/14) Village of Ossining Trustees Robert Daraio and Manuel Quezada (both Village trustees) specifically point out Ms. Gearity’s limited experience and short duration of public service.

Further, they point out that she consistently followed Mayor Hanauer’s lead in voting. And Ms. Gearity proposed “no significant new programs or initiatives.” So what happened - did Ms. Gearity suddenly have a revelation? Did some divine being tell her to run for Mayor, or was it backroom politics at its worst. My guess is the latter.

In the recent “meet the candidates” session Ms. Gearity self proclaimed herself a “leader.” It seems to me a rather audacious statement given that Ms. Gearity has never led anything. Like Dorothy, in the Wizard of Oz, she is asking the voters to take a stroll down the Yellow Brick Road with her to “change” the Village of Ossining – specifics – well she is a little light on specifics. In absolutely none of her statements, in absolutely none of her mailings, and nothing on her website indicates her specific plans for progress for the Village of Ossining – oh yes she will “will lead, steadfast in the belief that the best ideas and decisions come from open dialogue with all stakeholders. The philosophy that guides me is this, “No one should seek office to hold power over others, rather we should seek to empower the people we serve.”” She will have an “open administration,” and “listen” to people. She will “ bring our village a more community-centered, collaborative and open-government.” I get the feeling she wants to have a group therapy session for the entire Village of Ossining. But I further note there are absolutely no solid ideas of what she will specifically attempt to accomplish as mayor. Ms. Gearity never speaks of specifics; it is simply “catch-all” phrases. “I will prioritize generating greater tax revenue;” “I am grateful to live in a community deeply committed to public service.” Etc., etc.

Unfortunately, Ms. Gearity, waving her magic wand over the Village of Ossining is not going to turn Ossining into the Emerald City. And it was Ms. Gearity who threw a monkey wrench into the possible sale of the long vacant 200 Main Street this past summer. It is still vacant. Why – ask her. And her thoughts about OBCC – well she seems to need guidance from the Town Supervisor. I am just afraid she is going to need too much guidance from the Town Supervisor on all the issues. It is clear that Ms. Gearity’s lack of experience is woefully inadequate for running the Village of Ossining at this time. And her business experience – she apparently worked for a period of time at AIG the insurance company as a back office worker. It was AIG that was one of the companies using excessive exotic financial instruments that nearly dragged the country into a complete depression. The US government had to bail out AIG to the tune of over $182 billion during the financial meltdown – no wonder this is not mentioned on her resume.

In contrast, Ossining is very lucky to have had a dedicated leader, Mayor Bill Hanauer, with real corporate experience, and real leadership abilities, leading the Village through the economic minefields of the past eight years. Clearly, much remains to be done – and Ossining will indeed, move forward under the dedicated leadership of Mayor Bill Hanauer.

On Tuesday, November 4th, I urge you to make a difference and come out and vote and before you do, carefully consider the two candidates. Who is the most qualified to run the Village? Who has the experience? None of these candidates are running for national office so party affiliation has little meaning – it is the individual who is capable of really leading the Village into the future; and I would urge you to vote for the current, Mayor with a plan for Progress - Mayor Bill Hanauer, on the Working Party - line “D”.

Gerold M. Wunderlich

Ossining, NY