The following are letters from supporters of Daniel Brakewood, current Port Chester trustee and Democratic candidate for Westchester County Legislature District 6.
Brakewood faces off against David Gelfarb, the Republican candidate and current Rye Town councilman. To read letters from Gelfarb's supporters, click here.
The Contrast Between Brakewood and Gelfarb
On Nov. 8 we will be voting for the person who will fill Marty Ragowsky’s position as Westchester County legislator. The two candidates are Dan Brakewood, currently a Port Chester trustee and David Gelfarb of Rye Brook who is on the Rye Town Board.
In the Sept. 23 edition of the Westmore News, each of the candidates wrote a letter to the editor. I was struck by the difference in the letters. In his letter, Brakewood thanked all of the people of Port Chester, Rye Brook, and Harrison who voted for him. He stated what his goals were for the three areas he will represent. He also stated that he would not “rubber stamp” the ideas of any other political figure regardless of party.
In contrast to Brakewood’s letter, David Gelfarb’s letter was totally negative regarding his opponent. He actually said that Brakewood would be called upon by the Democratic leader, Ken Jenkins, to be a constant opponent to all initiatives proposed by the Republican County Executive, Rob Astorino. Mr. Gelfarb has no idea of what kind of man Dan Brakewood is. I have attended or watched practically all of the Board of Trustees meetings since Dan has been a trustee, and I know the kind of legislator he will be. He is his own man. He is not owned or dictated to by any person or party, and he will do only what he truly feels is good for those he represents. He would go against his own party if he had to.
Secondly, Mr. Gelfarb brags about his helping to reduce taxes for the Town of Rye while in office. Yes, he is right. Joe Carvin and his administration have been doing a good job in that regard, but so has the Port Chester BOT with the help of Dan Brakewood as a trustee. I can remember when the taxes were increased by fifty percent in three years by the previous administration. The increases have been reduced drastically with Dan’s help as a trustee. You can bet that he will work just as hard to do what is right for the three villages he will represent.
As for experience, you can’t compare being a Port Chester trustee to being on the Rye Town Board. It’s like comparing a Navy Seal to a Boy Scout. To be a Navy Seal, you literally have to go through “hell” to be one. It is a tough school, and if you survive the rigorous job of trying to solve the numerous problems that the trustees have to face, you have really passed the test. Dan Brakewood has served and survived as a trustee, and he will be great as a County Legislator.
I do hope that the rumor doesn’t go around that I think Dan Brakewood “walks on water”, too. What I do think is that David Gelfarb might be a good man, but Dan is the more qualified of the two candidates, and the voters will be winners if they vote for him on November 8th.
Bea Conetta, Port Chester
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Republicans Should Vote for Brakewood
Remember when the Republican party stood for such goals as lowering taxes, small government and promoting business? Traditional Republicans should choose a candidate who has a proven track record for these ideals by voting for Democrat Dan Brakewood for County Legislator on November 8th.
During Dan's five year tenure on the Port Chester Board of Trustees, he worked to deliver some of the lowest tax increases in 25 years. He cut wasteful spending practices, such as the provision of health benefits to part-time elected officials. He pushed for programs to revitalize Port Chester's downtown and promote economic growth. Dan is someone who seeks office to make a real difference and change our county's direction. That is why this traditional Republican will be voting for Democrat Dan Brakewood.
Ian Rosenfeld
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Brakewood Has Proven Track Record, Will Save Taxpayers Money
The candidate who deserves your vote on Nov. 8 for County Legislator is Port Chester Trustee Dan Brakewood. I serve with Dan on the governing board of the Presbyterian Church in Port Chester. We always look to him to decipher our legal documents, review budget decisions and accounting procedures, and, most importantly, provide a caring perspective about the wider community.
As a Port Chester Trustee, Dan has worked tirelessly to streamline our local government and make it more accessible to the people. For example, he pushed for the elimination of the Village’s costly corporation counsel position, saving taxpayers money without sacrificing results. He also took the lead on making local government more transparent. Today, nearly all Village Board of Trustee, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings are broadcast on TV.
We need Dan Brakewood’s proven commitment to local government and our community on the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Elise Lemire, Port Chester
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