SOMERS, N.Y. - Somers residents will head to the polls on Nov. 3, tasked with deciding a pair of local contests.
In the race for supervisor, Republican incumbent Robert Scorrano looks to turn away the challenge from Democrat Teresa Clifford. Voters will also decide a Town Board seat, with Republican incumbent Gina Arena taking on Democratic challenger Rita Romeu.
Before Election Day, The Somers Record offered the candidates the opportunity to explain in their own words what they see as the most pressing issues and their plans if elected. (Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.)
GINA ARENA
Throughout my life, leadership has meant serving others and strengthening my community.
After graduating from Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School, I entered the workforce and continued working until the birth of my first child. I then devoted the early years of my adult life to raising my eight children. In 2007, I began my career with Westchester County as an Office Assistant and advanced to the position of Junior Administrative Assistant. In this role, I oversee a wide range of responsibilities, including purchasing, accounting and budget preparation. I am also highly knowledgeable in procurement law and its practical application in government operations.
When my daughter was diagnosed with autism in 1993, I worked to establish an in-home program based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I successfully advocated for the funding needed to support her care at home, helping to set a precedent that enabled other families of children with autism to access similar services. Building on that experience, I collaborated with other families to create New York's first ABA school, the Devereux Millwood Learning Center, which continues to provide support for children with autism.
In 2005, after the heartbreaking loss of my son to brain cancer, my family established an organization in his memory to assist other families facing the challenges and hardships associated with a child's serious illness. Through this work, we honored his legacy while providing hope and support to others.
Following the September 11 attacks, I organized community-wide food and supply drives, establishing collection points to support the first responders working at Ground Zero. Years later, during Superstorm Sandy, a friend and I organized another large-scale relief effort to collect and distribute supplies to affected families on Long Island.
For me, leadership is about bringing people together and ensuring that no one faces hardship alone. When my son was ill, Somers stood beside my family, offering unwavering support during our most difficult days. I remain profoundly grateful for that kindness and have dedicated my life to paying it forward by helping others whenever they are in need.
While affordability will always be an important issue, I believe the most significant challenge facing Somers is managing future development responsibly. We are likely to face important decisions regarding the future of both the IBM property and the Lincoln Hall property. While no formal proposals have been presented at this time, these properties will be central to discussions about Somers' future in the coming years. Thoughtful planning, transparency and community engagement will be essential.
I am well qualified to help address these challenges because I have spent more than 40 years researching and following these properties and the issues affecting our community. Combined with my experience in government, budgeting and procurement, I have the knowledge and perspective to ask the right questions and listen to the residents to help ensure that future development benefits Somers while preserving the character of our town.
My top priorities are clear: keep property taxes under control and protect home rule. Somers residents deserve a strong voice in the decisions that affect their families, neighborhoods and quality of life. I will always fight to keep those decisions in local hands.
It wasn't so much advice I was given as it was lessons I learned through life's challenges: be kind and live with no regrets. Life is precious, and none of us are here forever, so it's important to make the most of our time, help others when we can and always do our best.
TERESA CLIFFORD
I built my career as a Human Resources executive, leading policy development, benefits administration, employee relations and organizational planning for major companies and nonprofits. I hold a B.A. in Education from Brooklyn College and completed graduate studies in Business Administration and Human Resources Management at NYU and LIU. In Somers, I have served for many years as a condominium association president in Heritage Hills; I’m a member of the Town Emergency Preparedness Committee; and I serve on the boards of multiple community organizations. These experiences have strengthened my ability to lead and solve problems — even with many perspectives and personalities at the table — and, most importantly, they’ve deepened my commitment to serving our Somers community.
The challenges facing Somers all come back to our need for proactive leadership, preserving what makes Somers special and delivering timely results for residents. Our town deserves a Supervisor who listens, seeks feedback, respects different viewpoints and makes decisions openly and transparently — and I believe my experience and relationship-building will help me deliver that for Somers. I want to create more opportunities for conversation through regular "In Conversation with the Supervisor" meetings and greater in-person engagement with residents.
More urgently, we need to be proactive about the future of our infrastructure and open land. Right now, roughly 1,500 acres of vacant land in town are at risk of being sold or scooped up by AI data centers or massive companies like Amazon. Our town leadership is a critical line of defense, ensuring responsible development and preventing bad decisions. But we need leaders who will be proactive, not wait until a corporation is throwing its weight around. I’m ready to protect our open spaces, drinking water and the quality of life that make Somers special. We also need progress on our roads and infrastructure to reduce traffic and other issues.
Strong relationships and collaboration with state and local leaders will be essential to getting this done, and I already have the personal relationships and experience working with these leaders through my years of community service.
If elected, my top priority would be addressing Somers’ vacant properties. These large parcels have sat undeveloped for years, and I’d lead our town in taking a more proactive approach. The state’s AI data center moratorium lasts only one year, so we need to get a plan in place now. I also believe Somers has more work to do to make our town government more accessible. Residents should feel comfortable approaching their elected officials, asking questions and sharing ideas — not talked over during Town meetings. I want to spend more time listening to residents, finding common ground and working together.
True leadership means using your time and experience to serve and help others. I’m ready to give back to Somers in a new way, and I’ve been energized and inspired by residents who’ve encouraged me to run. I'm proud of the perspective I bring from a lifetime of professional and community leadership. It’s taught me how to solve problems and bring people together. At the end of the day, leadership is about building a stronger future for every Somers resident, from young families just starting out to seniors who have lived here for decades.
RITA ROMEU
I had a 30-year career in healthcare finance and policy. First, I worked for a research center at a medical college. Next, I spent six years at the New Jersey Department of Health, culminating in the position of director of the Health Care Finance Division, where I managed the $850 million uncompensated care fund. I then founded a consulting company where I worked with hospitals and other providers on insurance, compliance and finance. We employed over 250 people and had over 30 clients.
In retirement, I turned to politics to serve my community. I was elected to a three-year term on the Town Council in my former town and was subsequently elected as mayor by the governing body. After my tenure, I served as chair of the Planning/Zoning Board and the chair of the Environmental Commission.
I have a BA in Biology, an MBA in Healthcare Finance and a Ph.D. in Science Education.
One of the biggest issues on Somers' horizon is the prospect of overdevelopment. I believe that we as a town will have to be very careful about how we approach the sale of these large properties. This will involve the Town Board working closely with the Zoning and Planning Boards, and most importantly, keeping the residents informed and soliciting feedback at every stage. I was involved in similar issues when I was on the Planning/Zoning Board. I helped to stop an Amazon warehouse from being built. With my finance background, I deeply understand the economic aspects of these issues.
Hearing from residents, one issue comes up repeatedly: rising energy costs. We need to address this both in the short and long term. I have been working with the county on the NYSEG issues. I want to work with our Energy and Environmental Committee to explore what types of renewables would be right for Somers.
Somers faces some serious issues involving our green spaces and water quality. Our reservoirs and lakes are unique and beautiful. They provide drinking water for us and many other places in the state. Wells and other water sources have tested positive for PFAS (forever chemicals). We need to address this before we end up with more issues in our water supply.
I will work with fellow council members and the public to achieve more transparency on all issues. One idea I would propose is to form a “Residents Budget Advisory Committee,” much like they have on the Board of Education. This would consist of Somers volunteers with finance backgrounds to review and give public feedback on the budget before it is adopted. Second, I will expand the Energy and Environmental Committee's role to help address our community's challenges.
My mother’s advice was simple: “Always look for the good in people.” That principle has guided my career and community work, and in today’s divided political climate, it’s more vital than ever.
ROBERT SCORRANO
I am a graduate of Somers High School and Hofstra University, where I earned a degree in communications.
My professional career spans more than 25 years in energy trading, financial services and executive leadership, including approximately 15 years in the energy industry and leadership positions with major financial services companies.
Since becoming town supervisor in January 2022, I have overseen an approximately $18 million municipal budget and 125 employees. I also serve on the Northern Westchester Joint Water Works board of trustees and as vice president of the East of Hudson Watershed Corporation.
My career has been built on financial management, negotiation, problem-solving and leading teams. I bring that experience to Town Hall every day.
Somers' biggest challenges are affordability, aging infrastructure, public safety and protecting local control. Rising utility costs, unfunded state mandates and pressure on taxpayers make responsible financial management more important than ever.
Over the past four years, we've kept annual property tax levy increases below the state tax cap, maintained our Moody's Aaa bond rating, secured millions in outside funding and advanced critical infrastructure improvements. Through bipartisan cooperation, we secured a $9 million state commitment to improve Routes 202, 139 and 118. I've built relationships across all levels of government to deliver results while defending home rule.
The supervisor's job requires more than identifying problems or making promises. It's a responsibility that doesn't end at the close of business. It's 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even when you're on vacation. Emergencies don't wait, and residents depend on steady leadership. I understand what this job demands because I've lived it for four years. Leadership is measured not by promises made, but by results delivered.
My priority in 2027 is turning years of planning into results.
I plan to break ground on Reis Park improvements, begin critical water infrastructure construction in the Business Historic District, work with the Fire District and State Police to complete the property sale for the long-awaited barracks, and advance restoration of the historic Reynolds House.
I'll also press New York state for firm commitments to repave additional state-maintained roads in Somers that need attention.
My focus remains simple: deliver results, protect taxpayer dollars and get the job done.
My college football coach at Hofstra, Joe Gardi, once told us, "Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see."
Those words have stayed with me for more than 25 years. They taught me to listen, ask questions, consider different perspectives and make informed decisions.
Whether in business, coaching, raising a family or public service, I've learned that leadership requires patience, sound judgment and difficult decisions. Most importantly, it means staying true to your values, treating people with respect and remembering that the people affected by your decisions matter far more than who gets the credit.
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