As a Village Trustee for over 10 years and an original member of the Unite Sleepy Hollow party, I feel it is important to correct the false and misleading narrative being spread by the SH Dems/TAG candidates through their Letters to the Editor.
In her September 16th letter, Mayoral candidate Marjorie Hsu has falsely stated that the Unite Sleepy Hollow team plan to defund the TaSH Farmer’s Market and Warner Library. This statement is false and unfounded. As stewards of taxpayer funds, USH trustees always ask how funds will be used. This is our obligation to the taxpayers. USH trustees have always supported providing funds to TaSH and the Warner Library and the current slate of USH candidates would continue to do so.
In candidate Hsu’s October 16th letter she uses exaggeration to discredit the USH team by stating that USH plans to cut taxes by 15%. USH candidates have never made that claim. Voters can read for themselves in USH’s October 15th newsletter (on the website unitesleepyhollow.com) that USH anticipates being able to roll back taxes 4-5% and, as requested in candidate Hsu’s letter, the math on how it can be done is all there.
Similarly, candidate Rodriguez misleads voters, in his October 15th letter by stating that “USH trustees exhibit a desire to diminish our ability to solve problems.” In regards, to the purchase of the 64-68 Beekman Ave. property, not voting the same way as other Board members is simply the USH candidate’s disagreeing with a proposed project. It means that they feel the property would be better suited if it were developed and put back on the tax rolls rather than being slated for a parking lot.
Now there is talk at campaign events, from the SH Dems/TAG candidates, that the Village could go bankrupt. That is completely absurd, irresponsible and quite frankly dangerous to imply. It is fear mongering at its best. Does the Village’s bond rating indicate that this is even possible? No, the Village has a Aa3 bond rating. The Aa3 rating reflects the village’s strong financial condition and continued economic growth, making bankruptcy extremely unlikely. And, what will spreading that false information do to home values when people who are looking to move here get wind of it?
USH candidates have been responsible for a number of innovative problem solving initiatives, including building a new water tank to allow the development of Edge on Hudson to move forward. We also were instrumental in working with New York State on the addition of turning lanes on Route 9, which have greatly increased public safety on our busiest road. We also were part of the development of our beautiful River Walk Park south of the Lighthouse, giving residents direct access to the river for the first time in over a century. And we solved the sink hole problem behind Ichabod’s Landing by overseeing the installation of the stone embankment, which had the added benefit of beautifying more of the River Walk. Not to mention the adoption of the Village’s Comprehensive plan.
Misleading and exaggerated claims by candidates undermine the democratic process and diminish public trust. People who engage in such, as candidates are not the right leaders for Sleepy Hollow.
Denise Scaglione
Sleepy Hollow Village Trustee
