Committee Rules On Complaints In Yorktown Races

YORKTOWN, NY — The Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee met on Sept. 7 to hear the complaints of Michael Grace, candidate for re-election as Yorktown Supervisor, and the Committee to Elect Michael Grace, against Ilan Gilbert, candidate for the same position; and against Yorktown First and the Yorktown Democratic Committee; Alice Roker and Vishnu Patel, candidates for Town Council; and Aviah Cohen Pierson, Candidate for Town Justice. Christopher Arnold represented Mr. Grace and Marc Oxman represented Yorktown First and its candidates.

COMPLAINT — Mr. Grace and his campaign committee complain that Yorktown First and its slate of candidates give the false and misleading impression that he is using his position as Supervisor for personal benefit by granting tax incentives to a proposed development on a property in which he currently shares an ownership interest.

FINDING: UNFAIR — The language implying that Mr. Grace is “using his position as Supervisor for personal benefit by granting tax incentives” is unfair because an independent body would have to approve any application for tax benefits were they to be sought in the future by Mr. Grace.

COMPLAINT — Mr. Grace complains that Yorktown First conveyed the false and misleading impression that stores are vacant in Yorktown by taking several photos out of context as well as using outdated photos.

FINDING: FAIR — The use of the photos falls within the bounds of normal political practice.

COMPLAINT — Mr. Grace complains that his opponent Ilan Gilbert, Council candidate Alice Roker and Town Justice Candidate Aviah Cohen Pierson gave the false and misleading impression that they are incumbents on their campaign material.

FINDING: FAIR — The campaign literature presented does not give a false or misleading impression that the candidates are incumbents.

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