Candidate Profile: Szymanski Seeks Re-Election In 2021

PELHAM, NY - In 2021's general election, residents of the Hudson Valley will be voting for local officials. In anticipation, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Most of the candidates running in Pelham in 2021 are uncontested, including town Supervisor Daniel McLaughlin, Town Clerk Antoinette Clemente and town Receiver of Taxes Catherine Mazzaro; in Pelham village, Mayor Chance Mullen and trustees Michael Carpenter, Lisa Hill-Ries and Donald Otondi. In Westchester County Legislative District 11, which includes Pelham, Eastchester and New Rochelle, incumbent Terry A. Clements is uncontested.

The one contested race is for Pelham Town Council.

Raffella Szymanski is seeking re-election. The first woman to become deputy town supervisor in Pelham, Szymanski has been on the town board for 18 years. With 45 years of nursing experience, she retired as chief operating officer of the VNA of Hudson Valley. She is 67.

She's running on the Republican and Common Sense party lines on the ballot. Also running are Tade Reen (R, Common Sense), Solange Bitol Hansen (Democratic, 10803 Together) and Kara McLoughlin (Democratic, 10803 Together).

For more information see Pelham's Town Leadership Team on Facebook.

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Rae Szymanski:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking office to continue the good government that has been established during the 20 years that I have been on the board. Good government includes keeping our tax burdens within reasonable boundaries. Good government includes continuing to build on our premiere recreation program. Good government includes building on our partnership with Empress ambulance to provide life saving services to all Town Residents. Good government means building on our inter municipal relationships. Good government means exploration of the best use for all town buildings benefiting the entire community. Good government includes working with our Chamber of Commerce to support our local merchants. Good government means continuing to improve and modernize all internal processes and departments on an ongoing basis. Good government means listening and communicating back tp our community whether it be seniors or teens regarding their concerns and needs.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our town are enhancements to our excellent senior citizens program, our premiere recreation program as well as continuing to work with our school system to provide before school and after school programs as needed.
I will work with the supervisor and the board to reach out to all groups to improve and expand services as indicated. I will continue to work with the supervisor and the board to survey the need for before and after school programs as was done in 2021. I will continue to work with the Supervisor and the board to improve our emergency services to all Pelham residents through the Towns partnership with Empress Ambulance.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have 20 years experience as a current board member. I have career administrative experience that has been invaluable as my position as personnel liaison to staff. I am a life long resident of Pelham committed to improving all Town services through listening communicating and acting when appropriate.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Balancing fiscal responsibility to the residents of Pelham while exploring development of new programs and improvements to current Town programs.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

20 years of experience as the COO of a successful home care agency has given me a plethora of tools to apply to the successful accomplishments of the Town Board.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To consider any idea presented to me with an open mind and to ask the question what is the worst that can happen, what is the best that can happen and to mitigate any pitfalls along the way.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a lifelong Pelham resident committed to making my community making it the place where neighbor helps their neighbor.

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