Letter To The Editor: Brewster School Board Vote

To the Editor:

On May 15, 2018 the Brewster Central School District conducted an election and voters had until 9 pm to cast their votes. However, at approximately 4:30 pm the weather channel issued a tornado warning and advised local residents to take shelter. That evening, at 6:30 pm, my daughter was scheduled to perform at a concert at the Brewster High School, designate location of the voting polls. At 5:37 the school district issued an email stating the concert would be cancelled due to the torrential storm.

Power went out in my home at approximately 4:45 pm and I sought shelter in my basement while 5 confirmed tornadoes devastated my community. Over 20,000 local residents also lost power. Several fatalities occurred due to fallen trees, homes were destroyed and that evening, Putnam County declared a state of emergency.

Since I was stranded at my home, I was not able to vote in the Brewster Central School District election. My husband, who was also due to vote that evening was stuck in New York City and was not able to make it home until after 11 pm.

The next day, I learned that the polls remained open and the election continued, despite the horrific weather conditions. Many residents within my community whom I spoke to the next day were frustrated that they did not have a chance to vote that evening. Those who could vote that morning, including retired residents and those who work locally could get to the polls during the day, before the start of the storm. A close friend of mine risked heading out to the polls during the storm was stranded at the school until 8:40 pm and was forced to seek safety within the school until the storm subsided. Since the road next to the school was closed, my friend was forced to walk down the closed road for 3 miles, jumping over downed live power lines and electrical transformers with her 6 year old daughter.

This Tuesday, May 22nd the Board of Education is conducting a meeting to discuss a new proposal for the budget because the original proposal failed by a little over 100 votes the day of the tornados.

As a mother of two children who attend the Brewster Central School District, I did not have the chance to vote on the original proposal or for the candidates on May 15th. As residents of the Brewster Central School District, we should be allowed to vote for the original propositions and not a modified proposition due to this unforeseen circumstance.

I urge residents to write to New York State Commissioner Elia and ask her for a chance to revote on the original proposals. Her email address is Commissioner@NYSED.gov. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Joelle DePaola

Brewster