Letter: Yorktown Board Members Must Honor Their Commitment

YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- The Yorktown Daily Voice accepts signed letters to the editor. Send letters to yorktown@dailyvoice.com.

To the editor:

Welcome to the never-ending world of dysfunctional politics in Yorktown.

The Town Board is still deadlocked regarding the vacant board position and one of the previous candidates has defected to the opposing party. It is becoming more difficult for the voters to assess the philosophies and allegiances of our local politicians. Our local Democratic and Republican parties are playing political games and public trust has eroded.

Switching political parties is nothing new in Yorktown politics. This precedent of self-centered political opportunism has served to benefit the political candidates over the years with little benefit to the citizens. Did these politicians change their political viewpoints when they switched parties? Are these politicians going to support their new party in the coming elections? Will these politicians support the national platforms of their newly adopted parties or will they be independent thinkers?

The public has a right to know where all of our politicians stand on national issues such as war, gun control, taxes, crime, abortion, gay marriage, healthcare, etc., as well as local issues. National issues and party allegiances do affect local politics and vice versa.

The U.S. Supreme Court has made it entirely legal for wealthier citizens and corporations to “buy” elections with unlimited campaign contributions. The average voter has become disenfranchised. There are several contentious issues the board will decide in the coming months. The public has a right to know if any of our current politicians or prospective candidates received campaign contributions from relevant parties such as Costco, Compass Westchester, Depot Square, attorneys, developers, public relations firms, etc. All local politicians, including prospective candidates, need to release their lists of political donors for public scrutiny.

Our local politicians need to reaffirm their commitments to the citizens of Yorktown first and foremost and not to their respective political parties or donors.

 

Miriam D. Messing Curtin

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