Letter to the Editor: Crossroads 312 Proponent Wrong to Invoke Patriotism, Threats

Good morning all -

Last week, I spent a couple of hours perusing the for and against comments received by the Town Board. I made especially note of independent letters received; rationale for approvals/disapprovals; possible ages of respondents, places of residence; and those who affixed their signatures to either petitions or form letters generated by either side. I will only comment briefly on those favoring the proposal.

The public relations machine of the developer had generated slick form letters, repeating the well-worn mantra of jobs, tax relief, shopping opportunities and a hotel to stay.

Many of the signatories were not from Brewster but from Patterson, Wingdale, Carmel and even one from as far as Mohegan Lake (who conveniently has Cortlandt Center down the road to shop and lives about 45 minutes away).

Some sent simply one line endorsements from cell phones. And then there was one who provided comic relief and said if you give me a job, I will support the project. There were two letter writers who were long-time residents of Brewster - over 60 years and then several who obviously were students, as a matter of fact, one of them even signed herself Brewster High School. Among the signatories were the children of attorney Jay Hogan of Hogan and Rossi, who has faithfully sat beside Mr. Lepler, along with attorney O’Rourke . And I recognized a former resident of Brewster, a senior citizen who now lives in Stoneleigh Woods in Carmel who wrote twice as did a couple of others.

But the most outrageous and troubling letter came from attorney Hogan’s brother, Jim Hogan, who questioned the patriotism to flag and country and allegiance to Republican Party principles of all those public officials who would oppose Crossroads as proposed by Lepler.

A new low. It is Mr. Hogan who has violated democratic principles of our country and brought dishonor to the party of Lincoln, Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Reagan.

He has injected the politics of the machine into what should be a rationale and spirited debate of what is best for our town. He has literally put a price on the heads of conscientious public officials - approve or lose your position on the Board.

Both Supervisor Hay and Councilwoman Eckardt have served their town and country; Mr. Hay in the Marines as a combat Vietnam veteran and for eighteen years in the County Legislature and Chairman and Ms.Eckardt by her faithful attendance also decade-long at all Board meetings.

There are those, Mr. Hogan, who serve aside from wearing a uniform. They are the men and women who voluntarily and without compensation or thought to convenience, demonstrate their commitment to their town’s betterment and hope by their contribution to enrich the lives of their fellow citizens.

Shame on you, Jim Hogan. Where we you during this time. And shame on those who even unintentionally and by their silence have lent their support to this attempt to intimidate public officials into a forced choice between approval of a project and maintenance in office. In the end, Mr. Hogan, we are not Democrats or Republicans but residents of the Town of Southeast and its welfare should be our first and only concern and allegiance.

Sincerely,

Ann Fanizzi