McCracken: 'A victory for the people of Mahopac'

To all my neighbors in Mahopac, thank you.

I am humbled and honored by your support.

Over the last few months, I knocked on thousands of doors across our district so I could hear directly from you as I asked for the honor of earning your vote in the Republican primary.

You told me you’re worried about being able to afford to live and raise your family in the community you love—and whether your kids will be able to stay here when they grow up. You told me you’re concerned about property taxes and about a local government that too often seems more interested in protecting itself than serving the people who pay for it. Most of all, you told me you’re tired of being ignored.

I have long said that the Republican nominee for this seat should be decided by the voter base—not by a committee of 23 people. I am deeply grateful that Republican voters had the opportunity to make that decision themselves. The support and trust you have placed in me means more than I can adequately express.

This victory wasn’t simply about one campaign. It was a victory for taxpayers over the insiders, for neighbors over the political establishment, and for the hardworking families who are tired of being taxed out of their homes. More than anything, it was a reminder that no amount of backroom politics can stop the will of the people.

We all know that Putnam County is the best place in New York to live, work and raise a family. But if we’re going to keep it that way, we need government that lives within its means. We need transparency instead of self-serving excuses. We need leaders who understand that every dollar government spends came from somebody who worked hard to earn it.

Our victory in this primary is the first step toward giving the people a stronger voice in their government. Now we head to the general election—together.

Here is what I pledge to fight for as your candidate:

• No more pay raises for politicians—and we must claw back the recent increases county legislators gave themselves.

• Full live-streaming and recording of all County Legislature meetings so you can see how your tax dollars are being spent.

• Explore moving responsibility for property tax assessments from the town level to the county level to better protect taxpayers from back-door tax increases.

• Pass bold new ethics laws that hold those in power accountable and eliminate the current law allowing politicians to accept up to $200 in gifts per person per year.

I don’t make these pledges lightly. I’m proud to have a record of promises made and promises kept on the Mahopac School Board, and I’ll do the same in the County Legislature.

As a member of the Mahopac School Board, I led the effort to make our board deliberations and votes public, and I helped deliver two straight school budgets with no additional school taxes—zero increases—for our community. I also led the effort to make personal financial literacy a graduation requirement at Mahopac High School, making us the first school district in New York State to do so. Preparing the next generation to be knowledgeable, responsible, and capable is one of the best investments we can make in our future, and I’m proud to have helped make that happen.

If I’m elected this fall as your County Legislator, I promise to be a faithful public servant that fights for you and your family. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and work hard every day to be worthy of the trust you have placed in me.

Onward to November. Onward to victory. God Bless, and again, thank you for believing in me.

Tanner McCracken is the Republican and Conservative candidate for Putnam County Legislator District 8.