The leader who helped stop the battery farm has my vote

Dear Editor,

With September upon us, we are fast approaching another election season where citizens have the opportunity to shape policy by making an informed decision at the ballot box. 

This past year, two communities, Somers and Mahopac, came together to fight plans for a dangerous industrial size lithium battery plant and from that victory emerged a real leader, Kevin O’ Keefe, a man dedicated to protecting his community.  I am so pleased he has made the decision to continue fighting for our community by running for Westchester County Legislator in District 4, which consists of Somers, parts of Yorktown, New Castle and a portion of Ossining. 

One should not be surprised that Kevin O’Keefe has decided to take this next step to serving his community as this is the path he has always chosen.  He is a doer, someone who will take action instead of hanging back and waiting for others to volunteer.  Having graduated high school on the heels of 9/11, Kevin O’Keefe made the decision to serve and defend his country by joining the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served in Afghanistan and Iraq.  During his service he came to appreciate the value of living in the United States where the government is answerable to the citizens and rule of just law is the norm.   Seeing a society where religious extremism, dictators and warlords made decisions that brought suffering and injustice strengthened Kevin O’Keefe's  decision to always protect U.S. democracy even when his military service ended.

After leaving the military, Kevin continued this mission, becoming an iron worker who helped rebuild the World Trade Center.  He took pride in rebuilding this symbol of American success and quickly became involved in serving his community of iron workers as a union representative to the executive board, rising to vice president, then business agent.  Serving the needs of the ironworkers has given him the experience necessary to understand the ins and outs of negotiation to obtain a positive outcome.  This experience will prove invaluable as he navigates the politics of county government to shape policy that best serves the community.  

Kevin O ‘Keefe has taken on the role of spokesman for his community, writing letters and speaking before the county legislator about the importance of protecting our community from industrial size lithium battery plants.  He researched the battery fires in other states and made our representatives aware of the harm these fires caused to the environment and population.  Additionally, he has written to express opposition to the rate hikes proposed by NYSEG.  He reaches out and talks with community members about the mandates and green energy policies that have driven these rate hikes.  He supports preserving our environment by implementing sound energy policies that do not allow developers to purchase “kill permits” for endangered species or endanger the public with uncontrolled fire.

It is for these reasons that Kevin O’Keefe has my vote in November and I hope will have yours this election season.

-Christine Panos, Baldwin Place