My Letter of Support and Why Victoria Gearity Should Be the Village of Ossining’s Next Mayor Election time can be ugly. The run for Ossining’s mayor has clearly not been an exception. As I watch the mud-slinging and vitriol on social media – not from the candidates but from community members - there are a lot of claims and supposition being made by each candidates’ supporters. For the record, Victoria Gearity has already managed to be successful thus far in creating quality programs, community outreach, transparency, collaboration and a host of other wonderful things that have changed the tenor in which our local government works. If you have worked with her - you would know. I share with you the wonderful things I have had the pleasure to collaborate with her on and know that these initiatives would not have been successful without her drive, ideas, enthusiasm, and dedication all to make Greater Ossining a better place: • Green Ossining – Ossining’s grassroots community-based environmental resource group whose goals are to reduce our community’s carbon footprint, make greater use of local resources, and find collaborative solutions to help residents reduce energy consumption in their homes and businesses. Victoria became an enthusiastic member before becoming a Trustee. Her ideas, ownership of responsibilities, facilitation and collaboration with community members helped Green Ossining to create the most successful and meaningful Earth Day event in Ossining’s history this past April. • Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series - this Series serves to bring relevant topics to the community by screening documentaries which are followed by subject matter experts who field questions from the community. The concept and platform for the Series was fully Victoria’s brainchild and her thoughtful assessments, direction, and collaboration have helped us select appropriate films and panelists, and the recognition just earned the Series a grant from Arts Westchester even before our 1st Anniversary this month. Her smart and innovative ideas have created a cultural opportunity and forum for discussion that Ossining has never seen, with a net result allowing for a unique opportunity to get the pulse and feedback of the community on important topics. Discussions that have allowed her the opportunity to understand how to determine paths for certain legislation. • Energize Ossining – In 2012, Victoria and I offered to become Ossining’s liaisons to the community for this state-funded energy efficiency program. The program’s objectives were to help homeowners save money and use less energy by offering free home-energy assessments so community members could be better educated about their homes energy usage/waste, and take advantage of the NY State’s program to assist homeowners financially. Through Victoria’s collaboration, perseverance and availability to have public forums and answer homeowners’ questions, tabling at the Ossining Public Library and other events to give the program more exposure, Ossining has become the largest community in Westchester to benefit from the program and is a leader in the number of homeowners that are now more saving money from this program. • Grow Ossining – A community-based investment fund whose aim is to allow community members to invest in Ossinings historic downtown Main Street Business District.). Victoria became an enthusiastic supporter and one of the first Founding Members. In recognizing that Ossining’s Main Street is such a vital artery to the long-term economic health – Victoria supports this community-based organization in their efforts to build a greater downtown through locavesting. I’m certain that there are more municipal-based initiatives and programs for which she’s been responsible, worked on or spear-headed, all with a positive affect and all with proof that she’s been a wonderful ambassador hard-at-work for this community. Just think of the possibilities with a mayor whose Trustee status has already shown what her administrative and governing principles are. If what we ask of government is to reflect and represent the people’s needs then I assure you that Victoria’s ability to willingly listen to those needs, act in the interest of them, take care in thinking about them, weigh the balance needed in making hard decisions, will serve you well. She brings an otherwise unrepresented perspective to government and her young family is what I would imagine we would like to see more of in our great community. One vote can make a difference so please show up to the polls on September 9th for Mayoral Primary Election. Ossining can do worse. But I don’t think it can do better than Victoria Gearity for Mayor. Suzie Ross Acting Chair, Green Ossining Town Liaison, Energize Ossining Founding Member, Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series Founding Member, Grow Ossining Member, Environmental Advisory Committee, Town of Ossining Ambassador, Riverkeeper
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 14:30:56 +0000
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