Victoria Gearity- Not Working for Ossining Residents & Businesses

There are a number of reasons why I do not support Victoria Gearity’s bid for re-election as the Mayor of the Village of Ossining. The chief among them is her failure to listen to the voice of the people.

I would like to refresh everyone’s memory regarding the very contentious proposed roundabout at the historic 5 corners intersection in downtown Ossining. Local organizations, businesses, and residents voiced their concerns and opposition to the project to the Village Board and Mayor Gearity. Questions were raised about the need for the project, cost, and safety. Despite the very vocal opposition to the project, the Village Board, led by Mayor Gearity decided to proceed with a half million dollar bond vote to continue with the project on February 1, 2017. But the fight was not over-the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce mobilized a petition campaign to force a referendum to put the approved half million dollar bond up for a public vote. Over 1500
signatures were gathered. Did Mayor Gearity listen? No- in fact, her administration declared the petitions invalid due to technicalities. No public vote was held and the plan for the roundabout continued- at a tax payer cost of over $70,000. It was only after the Ossining Chamber of Commerce and business owners threatened to file a lawsuit that that the board decided not to proceed with the bond.

Mayor Gearity could have allowed the public to vote on the project through a referendum regardless of the petitions, the Board has that power. It was her choice to deny village residents their right to vote on the project. She called opponents of the project “obstructionist to progress”. Most people didn’t realize that if the roundabout was built, we would have lost Market Square. it would be turned into a parking lot, with no plan to replace this important public space within the downtown area.

This was a clear choice to ignore the will of the people. Let’s use this election as the public referendum we were denied and chose Omar Herrera as the Democratic candidate for Ossining Mayor.

It’s time to change the leadership in the Village of Ossining. Vote Omar Herrera on Primary Day September 13th.

Brenda Burbach,
Village of Ossining Homeowner & Resident