Voices from the Vote: Port Chester Village Elections 2013

With just about two more hours until the polls close, Port Chester voters arehitting the polls to make their voice heard in this year’s village elections. But election inspectors saw a light turn out this year, they said. As of around 6 p.m. only about 150 people from districts 5, 6 and 7 had voted at the Don Bosco community center polling place. 

There are 10 candidates for the six open trustee seats and two candidates for mayor. Incumbent mayor Democrat Dennis Pilla faces Republican challenger Neil Pagano. Ten candidates are vying for the trustee positions, half of them are incumbents. 

Several voters said their biggest concern is the fate of the former United Hospital site on Boston Post Road, the general appearance of Port Chester and bringing in developers who will contribute to the aesthetic of the village. 

"They need to do something about the hospital site," said Hilda Ramirez, 38. 

"I do not want 800 residences in the United site," said a 50-year-old housewife who preferred to remain anonymous. She voted against Pagano and the other republican candidates, saying she was concered about "politicians being managed by developers as opposed to developers being managed by politicians."

Robert Turner, a 90-year-old, life-long Port Chester resident, said he votes to serve his civic duty. One of his biggest concerns is how elected officials will help get rid of problems like drugs in public housing where he lives. 

Monica Brown, a 41-year-old resident who has lived here for nine years also hopes elected officials will do something to liven up the marina and entire waterfront district.

Others said they were voting based on the candidates' positions on property taxes, programs for local youth and town rezoning.