CARMEL, N.Y.—The June 24 Republican primary for Carmel supervisor pits political newcomer Frank Ciano against incumbent (and Carmel Republican Committee-endorsed) candidate Michael Cazzari in a race that has spilled over into social media (see "Gloves come off in supervisor race").
Here is an up-close look at the two candidates based on written questions submitted by Mahopac News and returned via email.
Mike Cazzari is seeking his third two-year term as town supervisor. He grew up in Lake Carmel and graduated from Carmel High School. Cazzari and his wife now live in Mahopac, where they raised five children, all of whom graduated from Mahopac High School.
Cazzari spent 34 years in law enforcement, ultimately serving as chief of police for the Carmel Police Department.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always led with integrity, putting principles before profit, and people before politics. I am beholden to no one,” he said. “I don’t answer to powerful donors or political agendas. My only loyalty is to the residents I serve and to doing what’s right.”
Cazzari said he is seeking re-election due to the “deep sense of purpose that comes from selfless service.”
“For me, helping others isn’t just something I do, it’s something I need to do,” he said. “It’s been the foundation of my life and career.”
Cazzari said public service isn’t sustainable without responsible planning and a strong tax base. He said that without it, the middle class and those on fixed incomes are at risk of being pushed out, leaving behind only the wealthy and those struggling, renting from the wealthy.
“That’s not a community. That’s an imbalance,” he said.
Cazzari said if re-elected, he intends to make the town’s infrastructure a priority.
“It has been neglected for far too long. Over the past two terms, I’ve made it my mission to correct that failure,” he said. “You’re not elected to get re-elected; you’re elected to lead.”
Cazzari said that too often, officials wait for the state to step in, letting infrastructure such as water treatment plants or sewer systems fall into violation.
“It gives them political cover, but at a steep cost to taxpayers, who end up footing a bill that’s often three times higher because the work becomes an emergency,” he stated. “I will never be afraid to make the tough calls that put the long-term health of our town before short-term political gain.”
Cazzari said the biggest challenge currently facing the town is unfunded mandates from the state.
“They continue to strain our local resources, forcing towns like Carmel to shoulder the cost of compliance without the financial support to do it responsibly,” he said. “A clear example is the state-mandated lead pipe investigation. No one wants children exposed to lead in drinking water, but it’s important to understand that since the 1980s, lead pipes have been banned, and Carmel’s water systems do not contain any lead piping. Still, we were required by the state to excavate and inspect 20 percent of all residential service lines to prove what we already knew: there was no lead.”
Cazzari said that it could cost the town $900,000.
“The contractor planned to use a jet-vac truck to perform the excavations, and I realized something important: we already needed a jet-vac truck to comply with another state requirement to clean every one of our stormwater catch basins twice a year,” he said. “We had been looking into grant funding for such a truck already, so I knew the pricing. Instead of spending nearly a million dollars for a short-term contract, I proposed a better solution: purchase our own jet-vac truck for around $500,000 and use our skilled Highway Department staff to perform the excavations ourselves.”
Cazzari lamented the state of the Recreation and Parks Department and contended it has been neglected for too long.
“I truly don’t understand how we got to this point. None of our town parks are ADA-compliant, a basic requirement that should never be overlooked,” he said. “We spent $3 million on Airport Park, which included the construction of what was promoted as a handicap-accessible playground. Yet, no proper wheelchair-accessible walkway was ever installed to allow children or adults with mobility challenges to actually reach the playground. That’s not just an oversight, it’s a failure.”
He also said the stormwater catch basins on the Airport Park athletic fields were installed incorrectly.
“Despite all of this, the project was signed off as complete, and the contractors, engineers, and vendors were paid in full,” he said. “This should never happen. We must hold ourselves and those we contract with to a higher standard.”
Cazzari said the Rec Department needs the resources not only to maintain town parks but to correct costly mistakes and bring every facility up to the minimum standards.
Cazzari said that over the past three years, he’s made it a priority to address long-neglected issues that have burdened Carmel for too long.
“A prime example is the Stocum Avenue bridge, an outdated, narrow crossing that has needed replacement for decades,” he said. “I’m proud to report that the bridge replacement is in its final design phase. By leveraging federal FEMA funding, I was able to secure over $300,000 toward this critical infrastructure improvement. This is real progress, years in the making.”
The supervisor said that one of the most significant developments has been the Mahopac Sewer District expansion. This has been a topic of negotiation with New York City since 2017.
“I’m pleased to report that we have now reached a final agreement. As part of the deal, NYC will transfer ownership of the Mahopac sewer plant to the town and provide a $76 million payment,” he said. “This expansion will bring sewer access to local businesses, improve environmental stewardship, and most importantly, help grow our commercial tax base, reducing the burden on residential property owners who have carried it alone for far too long.”
Cazzari said people should vote for him because he is constantly working to improve the quality of life in Carmel.
“I don’t play political games; I simply do what’s right,” he said. “That has always been my approach, and it will continue to guide me.”
Frank Ciano has made a local name for himself on social media through his Facebook group Mahopac Dads and Moms UNCENSORED, where he has posted videos critical of government and school officials, political candidates, and, at times, this newspaper.
While the 55-year-old Mahopac HS graduate has never worked in government, Ciano believes his background in the construction business will be an asset if he’s elected supervisor.
“I’ve lived in Carmel for most of my life, and I’ve got a strong, successful background in business and construction,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve worked on everything from negotiating contracts to managing complex projects. I know what it takes to get things done efficiently and cost-effectively. My family and I are deeply invested in this town, and I want to make sure it stays a great place to live and work for years to come.”
Ciano, who has been a regular at Town Board meetings, has been critical of the way it operates.
“I’m running because I believe in what Carmel can be,” he said. “After seeing how things have been run, I know there’s a real need for fresh leadership that prioritizes common-sense decisions and accountability. I want to bring that perspective to the table and make sure our town is being run with the best interests of all its residents at heart.”
He called “transparency and accountability in how the town’s money is being spent” the biggest challenges facing the town. In a phone interview, Ciano said he could lower the cost of projects like Carmel Sewer District 2 by rebidding them.
“We need to make sure we’re not just throwing money at problems but actually solving them efficiently,” he said. “That means improving oversight, cutting waste, and making sure the services that matter to people—like roads, parks, and local utilities—are getting the attention they deserve.”
Ciano said improvements to the Recreation and Parks Department are high on his list of priorities.
“The Rec and Parks Department is definitely in need of a serious overhaul,” he said. “The understaffing and park facility issues are a direct result of poor planning and a lack of resources.
“First, we need to prioritize filling those staff positions to ensure parks can be properly maintained,” he continued. “Then, we need a clear, actionable plan for addressing the long-neglected facilities. It’s all about making sure our parks are safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone in Carmel.”
He said American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and shared revenue from county sales taxes will help.
“The ARPA funds and county sales tax are a great opportunity to improve our town’s infrastructure, support our local businesses, and enhance services,” he stated. “I think we need to focus on projects that have a direct impact on people’s day-to-day lives – like improving roads, upgrading our water and sewer systems, and investing in local parks and recreation. Let’s put that money to good use in areas that’ll benefit everyone.”
Ciano said stagnant projects such as the business district renovation and Swan Cove are very important and wants to see them brought to fruition.
“I’m all for revitalizing the business district, turning Swan Cove into a community asset, and making sure the treatment plant deal moves forward so we can improve the sewer system on Route 6,” he said. “It’s about having a clear plan and making sure we don’t lose momentum on these projects.”
Asked why voters should choose him, Ciano said it’s his non-political approach.
“You should vote for me because I’m a practical, results-oriented leader who’s not interested in playing political games,” he said. “I bring real-world experience in business and construction to the table, and I understand how to get projects done on time and under budget.
“I’m all about making decisions that are in the best interest of the town and its people—not about maintaining the status quo or making empty promises,” he added. “If you want a town supervisor who will roll up their sleeves and get to work, I’m your guy.”
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