2019 Candidate Profile: Vedat Gashi For County Legislator

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly said which district Vedat Gashi was running to represent. It is Westchester County District 4. Patch regrets the error.

YORKTOWN, NY — Westchester County will have several contested races in this fall's election, including for County Legislator for District 4. Yorktown-Somers Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Vedat Gashi, 41, of Yorktown, is running for County Legislator to represent District 4. His opponent is Michael Grace.

Gashi is an attorney. He is married and has two children who attend Yorktown public schools.

The single most pressing issue facing our community, and what I intend to do about it.

With the taxes Westchester residents pay, there is no excuse for substandard services and infrastructure. That’s why it will be my priority to ensure Northern Westchester communities receive the resources they deserve, that our tax dollars are spent wisely and we invest in our future.

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

I view the environment as our greatest resource, a resource that must be protected, not auctioned off to the highest bidder. I view women’s’ rights as something to promote and defend, not to attack by spreading disinformation and hate. Lastly, I take fiscal responsibility seriously, from my home, my business, to our local, state and federal government.

My opponent wants to move Westchester backward, I want to help us continue to move forward. In 2017 George Latimer and a County Legislature with a democratic majority were elected. They’ve started fixing a local government long crippled by a culture of cuts and deteriorating services and are moving Westchester forward. I want to keep the going momentum forward, not backwards.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The incumbent legislator in District 4, Democrat Mike Kaplowitz, has done an outstanding job and is not seeking re-election after a distinguished 22-year career. He has endorsed me and has been a fantastic resource of knowledge and guidance. I will work hard to continue great work.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We must facilitate economic development and improve conditions for working families in our district. We need to commit more resources to developing and maintaining infrastructure. Our roads need proper investment and our public buildings and parks have deteriorated over the past decade. Protecting the environment is crucial. We must fight against water, air and noise pollution and accelerate the development of renewable energy. We must continue to hold the line on taxes and work within the 2 percent tax cap. We must actively protect the rights of women and support programs that enhance healthcare, workplace conditions and other family-friendly policies.

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

I’m an attorney — my first legal job was an internship for Judge Sonia Sotomayor at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals before she was appointed to the Supreme Court. After graduating I joined a U.N. led effort to form the country of Kosovo. In that role, I wrote laws and helped establish the democratic institutions of this newly formed country. I am capable and very comfortable drafting and reviewing legislation — I think that’s directly applicable to the role of the legislature.

With that said, I think my upbringing may be more significant. My family fled a repressive regime in the former Yugoslavia when I was 4 years old. My family’s experience as political activists and refugees instilled in me a strong commitment to public service. Moreover, I was raised in a small business — and now run my own small business in Yorktown. A small business requires hard work, integrity and understanding of the bottom line — I think the same is required from our government.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

It’s simple, but the best advice was to always be humble.

I try to conduct myself with humility; in fact, I think we can trace many of the biggest problems we face in government to arrogance. As Mother Theresa said, “Humility is the mother of all virtues.” I think that works.

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

Together we can work to sustain our successes, solve our problems and get results. It’s been inspiring to garner support from so many people while campaigning and going door-to-door in New Castle, Somers and Yorktown. I was particularly touched when a senior citizen on a fixed income complained that my website made it difficult to donate $3 dollars — which was all she could afford — to help our campaign. It really is humbling, and I take sincerely the responsibility that this kind of support demands.

Most importantly, VOTE! For the first time, there’s early voting in New York state, beginning October 26th and running up to Election Day on November 5th. Let’s put our families first in this important local election. Please get involved, volunteer, contribute, talk with your friends and neighbors — and vote!

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