Dear Editor,
I recently attended a question and answer program with the Democratic candidates for Somers Town Board.
I saw what I expected from Supervisor candidate Theresa Clifford, who unsuccessfully ran nearly three decades ago. Clifford was clearly confused and out of her depth for the job and I trust Somers voters will make the sound, responsible choice and reelect Supervisor Rob Scorrano to continue so much of the great work he has done.
What truly disappointed me was hearing from board candidate Dr. Rita Romeu. Dr. Romeu is a relatively recent transplant from New Jersey who lives in the “million dollar” section of town. When asked about the very real possibility of New York State mandating electric school buses, Ms. Romeu, comparing her positive experience owning a Tesla with a massive bus, said it was “...worth a try.” The moderator informed her that electric school buses cost upwards of $400,000 each, and that they do not operate well in cold weather, and that the vehicles weigh as much as four times that of a traditional school bus, which would destroy our existing roads. In what felt like a nanosecond, Romeu meekly withdrew her tacit support for the idea, saying once again, she loves her Tesla.
Must be nice.
As the program went on, Romeu’s response to another question was particularly disturbing. When asked about her position on biological males playing women's sports and being allowed into women' s safe spaces such as rest rooms and changing areas, she took an uncomfortably long beat and eventually uttered that she didn't see it as a town issue. Ms. Romeu is clearly not mindful of the fact that not only does Somers have myriad girls sports teams and events, but the town maintains rest rooms and women’s facilities in the library, Reis Park, Van Tassel House and Town Hall itself to name a few. What was particularly creepy was Romeu’s follow-up when she was quick to say her only personal experience with gender and bathrooms was on a recent visit to Yankee Stadium when the line for the ladies room was too long so she took it upon herself to enter the men's room.
It is my understanding that the men’s facilities at the stadium have open troughs rather than individual urinals, leaving me to wonder how many men or young boys were victimized by her presence in that moment? This sort of judgement and behavior is not what I expect of an elected official in our lovely town.
Several times, Romeu qualified her candidacy by referring to her time as mayor of her previous hometown, Chesterfield Township, NJ. That township’s population is a third of Somers, about 8,000 residents and manages a budget less than half of Somers.
What she crucially fails to acknowledge in public is that she had been selected as mayor by the township committee, not the voters in an election. Romeu served for one year and failed her reelection bid, finishing in third place the following year.
Somers Town Councilwoman Gina Arena, also currently appointed to her role after the retirement of a previous councilman, is a 40-year resident of our town. A mother of eight children, nearly all of whom went to Somers schools, Gina is absolutely one of us. She and her husband Jim have lived a real life, working hard and giving back to their community for decades. Along the way, Gina has faced tragedy with grace when she lost her 6-year-old son to brain cancer. In fact, when Gina talks about that loss, she immediately credits the Somers community with lifting up her and Jim, helping them and the family through the most difficult time of their lives. To this day, it's that experience with her friends and neighbors that not only continues to give her strength, but makes her determined to give back through public service.
That’s the kind of woman I want as my councilmember. Please join me in supporting Gina Arena for Somers Town Board.
-Lisa Vanga, Baldwin Place
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