Peekskill Democrats Seek Re-Election

From Peekskill Democrats

Mayor Andre Rainey, Deputy Mayor Kathleen Talbot, Councilpersons Vivian McKenzie and Patricia Riley seek reelection in November 2019 with a Democratic Party slate. They point to the recent upgrade of Peekskill's credit rating as a sign of forward momentum.

“Every day residents of Peekskill approach me and tell me they are happy with the direction of the City, the new collaboration and civil approach in city hall. All around, they see a more forward-looking vision for all of our residents,” says Rainey. “The Moody’s announcement further demonstrates the progress that we’ve made, highlighting not only that we have a friendlier, more collaborative city hall, but a fiscally prudent one as well. What residents don’t want is to take a step back to the times when the city was stagnant, and a small group of conservative Republicans ran the city like a friends and family club.”

“As I see it, our city hall team is “Progress Forward,” says Rainey.

Deputy Mayor Kathleen Talbot, who owned and operated a corporate communications business for many years and is a licensed clinical social worker, points to the significant redevelopment projects underway in Peekskill.

These include Bre Pettis’ Bantham Tools project at the waterfront, The Lofts on Main Street, the Fort Hill development and the upcoming completion of its spa, and restaurant/catering facility. In addition, another residential development, the Balter Project, is working its way through planning, and businesses, like Thompson’s Cider Mill, are looking to relocate in Peekskill.

“I couldn’t be more optimistic about the current state of Peekskill and its future,” Talbot says. “It’s all coming together: from Main Street developments to exciting new businesses and growing industry bringing high tech jobs and growing our tax base. And there’s more to come.”

Peekskill City Councilperson Vivian McKenzie was for 25+ years an insurance industry territory sales manager responsible for a $20+ million territory that included Long Island, the 5 boroughs, New Jersey, and New York to Albany.

She is currently a small business owner in downtown Peekskill and was a board member of Peekskill’s Business Improvement District before taking her seat on the council. McKenzie supports the growth of small- and medium-sized businesses and has worked aggressively to revamp City processes so that economic development projects can make their way through city hall more efficiently.

“All one has to do is look at the shovels in the ground, the new residential development occurring, and the buzz around new entrepreneurs setting up shop in Peekskill to know we are on the right path,” says McKenzie. “I have made it a priority to work with city staff to streamline the planning process and make it easier for investors and business leaders to cut through the red tape and set up shop in Peekskill.”

Peekskill City Councilperson Patricia Riley worked as an educator in the public schools for 32 years and was a union representative for the Lakeland Federation of Teachers for 29 of those years, making sure that educators were well-represented and treated fairly. She has significant experience in contract negotiations and served on the Lakeland Executive council. Patricia’s priority is fiscal responsibility for taxpayers.

“As a retiree on a fixed income, I understand the importance of keeping our taxes low and being fiscally responsible to the citizens of Peekskill. The work this council has done to both expand services and increase the city’s fiscal health demonstrates that you can have your cake and eat it too.”

Adding to the Peekskill Democratic City Committee slate, Peekskill City Councilperson Colin Smith is running for Westchester County Legislator District 1, and Westchester County Legislator Catherine Borgia seeks reelection in District 9.