Editor's Note: An earlier version of this column stated that Brett Yarris was “colluding” with a third-party candidate. Halston Media has no evidence to substantiate that statement. The language has been removed, and we apologize for the error. [Read our previous news coverage of the allegations and responses here.]
As former President and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam, I know what a professional partnership with county government looks like.
The picture painted in the recent article on Putnam County’s $150,000 food-assistance appropriation is disappointing ("Dispute erupts over $150K in undistributed food aid," Sept. 10, Page 8). It does not match the record, or the legislation.
Government funding, distribution and reporting of spending by not-for-profits is complex. The question in this situation is whether the funds are restricted versus unrestricted to the parameters of its use as well as submission of reports of monies spent by the not-for-profit.
I remember following this issue late last year as our country endured through the nation’s longest federal shutdown in history. County Resolution #304 of 2025 was a restricted grant for the specific purpose of addressing the food needs of residents “directly related to the ongoing federal shutdown.”
It was adopted Nov. 5, 2025, and signed by County Executive Kevin Byrne two days later, specifically, as stated in the resolution, “due to the anticipated freeze in funding on November 1, 2025."
When Congress restored SNAP funding and the shutdown ended days later, Byrne’s administration did what responsible government does: it contacted the named agencies, including United Way, explained that eligible expenses incurred during the emergency would be reimbursed through Nov. 14, and kept remaining funds encumbered in case of another federal interruption. Byrne put that in writing to the legislature on Nov. 18, 2025. The funds were not eliminated, redirected or withheld.
My understanding is that United Way did not submit a reimbursement request. It also never called the administration to address the issue, prior to addressing the legislature. If the legislature later wanted those dollars used for a broader purpose after the emergency ended, the resolution needed to make the funding unrestricted as to the allowable parameters of its use. Thankfully, that was accomplished with the passage of Resolution #240 of 2026 earlier this month. For the record, Byrne supported and approved it.
Byrne’s far-left opponent, Brett Yarris, and his associates (and a third-party candidate) are now seeking to frame this issue as if Putnam County turned its back on hunger. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and that most certainly is not Kevin Byrne’s record.
Kevin Byrne has been a consistent partner to United Way and other nonprofits, dating back to his service as our state assemblyman and even earlier as a community leader, including his support for the 211 helpline, food-pantry partners, and more. That should surprise no one.
Byrne came to public service from healthcare administration, including his previous role as a regional director for the American Heart Association, one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke. He holds an MPA in healthcare administration and understands how nonprofits operate, what reimbursements require, and why taxpayer dollars cannot be treated as a blank check after the emergency that justified them has ended.
Food insecurity in Putnam is real. The holidays are coming. Byrne has already done the work to get remaining funds out the door under Resolution #240. That’s in addition to expanding county partnerships with Cornell Cooperative Extension and its Bountiful Meals program with Second Chance Foods, and more.
Byrne also cut property taxes by over $2.5 million over three years, eliminated sales tax on essential clothes and shoes under $110 (in-store and online), suspended the county’s share of the gas tax on fuel over $3 per gallon, and cut debt by more than half. That’s good for all of us, and it is especially helpful for people on fixed incomes, including those struggling with food insecurity.
That is leadership. That is the record. Read it.
This November, stick with Row B for Byrne.
Alana Sweeny is former President & CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
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