Why I want to continue serving Bedford

Each day, I think about how much I value my work as Bedford town supervisor. I consider myself a public servant and a creative problem solver, and I try to approach the job with a simple goal: solve for yes.

That does not mean every request can be granted or every problem has an easy answer. It means listening carefully, asking questions, bringing people together and looking for a practical path forward; no AI chatbot can substitute for the ongoing direct personal interaction required in these cases.

The job carries considerable responsibility. The town manages a $48 million budget and provides services that affect roughly 17,000 residents. We are responsible for public safety, infrastructure, parks, pools, preserves and municipal buildings. We also have a responsibility to create a community where people can participate, connect and thrive — whether that means meaningful programs for seniors, a successful summer camp for more than 500 children or making sure, yes, that chair yoga is running smoothly.

Over the past several years, I have worked with the town board, staff, residents, businesses and community organizations on a wide range of priorities: strengthening our hamlets, protecting open space, addressing climate change, improving infrastructure and public services, expanding recreational opportunities and planning for Bedford’s future.

You can read about many of those efforts in my Friday email newsletter. However, accomplishments and initiatives tell only part of the story. The other part is what happens when a resident brings a problem to town government, when organizations find a reason to work together or when an idea that once seemed difficult becomes possible.

Three experiences stand out to me.

A longtime Bedford resident was dealing with a failing septic system. The cost of repeatedly pumping the system had become so burdensome that the resident had begun using the bathroom at McDonald’s to stretch the time between pump-outs. Replacing the system seemed financially out of reach. So I worked with town staff and colleagues at Westchester County, including County Legislator Erika Pierce, to explore funding opportunities and find a solution the resident could afford. Today, that person can remain in their home and age in place with greater security and dignity. That experience reminded me that local government is not only about large projects and budgets. Sometimes it makes its greatest difference one person at a time.

My second story is about the Bedford Music Festival. Over this past Labor Day weekend, I watched more than 1,600 people gather with local businesses, food vendors and community organizations. I had been part of the grassroots effort with Destination 39.3 that helped launch the festival more than four years ago. The idea was to create an event that brought people together while supporting the businesses and organizations that make our community vibrant.

Caramoor now organizes the festival, and it has grown into a community-wide event. Relationships developed through our quarterly nonprofit meetings and our Bedford business promoter helped organizations work together to create a wellness space where attendees could step away from the crowds and enjoy a quieter, low-sensory environment. What began as an idea has become an annual opportunity for people from across Bedford to come together.

My third story takes us to Muscoot Reservoir. Several years ago, I approached the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about allowing Bedford residents greater access to fishing on the DEP reservoirs. It took persistence, many meetings and assurances about how the program would operate. Eventually, the town received permission to install two boats for resident fishing and this summer, we launched Bedford’s Fishing and Boating program. The program creates a new recreational opportunity for residents and families while connecting people more directly with Bedford's protected natural resources. I believe that experiencing these places can also deepen our appreciation for why protecting them matters.

These three stories are very different: helping a resident remain in their home, supporting an event that brings thousands of people together, and creating a new way for residents to enjoy our reservoirs. But they reflect the same approach to public service: listen, collaborate, persist, and solve for yes.

I am seeking another term as Bedford town supervisor because I believe there is important work still to do. There are projects underway, relationships to strengthen and ideas that began several years ago that are now ready to take the next step. Public service is a responsibility I take seriously. It requires patience, persistence, accountability, and a willingness to listen, including to people who disagree with you.

I am proud of what we have accomplished together, but I am equally focused on what comes next. Bedford is a remarkable community, and my goal is to continue building on its strengths while finding practical ways to address the challenges ahead.

That is the work I care about. And it is the work I hope to continue doing for Bedford, with your support, on Election Day.