Letter to the Editor: 2013 Race for Port Chester Mayor

Letter to the Editor:

I am voting for Neil Pagano for Mayor.  

Having personally observed the Feb. 4 Port Chester Board of Trustees meeting, and having seen for myself the total dysfunction and lack of direction, it is more than obvious that Port Chester badly needs a new mayor.    

My opinion was validated by an article in the Feb. 1 edition of The Westmore News, in which Mayor Pilla used his “keynote address” to whine about how his Board “is not moving fast enough,” and how we wants to “throw some of the Trustees off the island.”              

Mr. Pilla’s keynote address offered a perfect opportunity for him to present his vision for the next two years, and to talk about his accomplishments during his last two years.  His problem is, he doesn't have any accomplishments.  Mr. Pilla resorts to looking in his rear-view mirror because, even after seven years in office, he has not earned the respect of his Board.              

By contrast, Neil Pagano will provide a breath of fresh air, a new approach, and will be focused on the future. Mr. Pagano used his caucus speech to highlight areas where our Village lacks leadership, and then he offered constructive ideas.  For example, he addressed how we need to find solutions for “oppressive” taxes.  And he demonstrated how closely “in touch” he is with residents by letting us know that he intends to modify the Code Enforcement Program so that it doesn’t continue to hurt people like me who are paying a steep price for the Village’s past mistakes.              

What I really appreciate about Mr. Pagano is that he will finally do something about developing our Marina and take action to address the fast- and ever-sinking Bulkhead, another issue seriously neglected by Mr. Pilla.               Whatever happens on March 19, the Board will have a diverse group of individuals and personalities. 

While it is clear that Mr. Pilla is not capable of managing his Board, I believe Mr. Pagano has the leadership attributes necessary to work with the Board, as demonstrated by the work he has done for the Village as Chairman of the Industrial Development Agency (IDA).      

In short, Neil Pagano will do a much better job of working with the Board of Trustees and incorporating the expertise of the Board than Mr. Pilla has been able to, and that is why, on March 19, I am voting for Neil Pagano for Mayor, and his ticket of Kenner, Ferrara and Terenzi for Trustees!  

Linda E. Turturino

Port Chester, NY