Armonk Ward Vote update | Armonk Real Estate

I am the North Castle Supervisor, but I write to you as a resident who will live in this Town for many more years than I will serve on our Town Board.  In a small Town like ours (pop. 11,841), the ward system is a solution

in search of a problem.  I am opposed to the Ward System and

I urge you to vote “No” on both Ward propositions, as it will invite divisiveness between neighborhoods, fiscal irresponsibility, horse trading, and larger government.

Our Town Board has always worked collaboratively based on the needs of both the entire town and specific areas, despite differences of opinion or where they lived, Recent decisions - the Banksville Avenue zoning solution (Banksville), sewers in Quarry Heights (North White Plains), the DeCicco’s shopping center (Armonk) – were all possible because of Town Boards that were elected by, and responsible to, the entire town and not just to a specific neighborhood.  In a Ward system, solutions like these may not be possible because Councilmen may simply take a narrow-minded “what’s in it for my ward” approach.  The Ward system is likely to create more problems, not solve them.

There are many best practices utilized in running any organization, and government is no different.  Picture an organization that encompasses a 6 floor building. The goal is to assemble the best leaders to run this organization.  Would you choose the 6 best people to lead the company, or would choose the best person on each floor to help lead the company, regardless of their skills?  The Ward system may prevent the ability to elect the best people to run your Town.

Democracy’s foundation is built upon your right to vote.  In an at-large system, like North Castle has utilized for over 200 years, you have the right to vote for all Councilman.  If you have issues with any or all Councilmen, you have the right to vote them out.  In a Ward system, that right-to-vote-for-all disappears. If the Ward propositions pass, you would be restricted to vote for only one of six Councilmen and your right to vote will be diluted. As a resident, I do not want that right taken away from me.  

     The Congress analogy cannot be overstated.  I am a believer in good government, but most people feel that Washington is fraught with horse trading, dysfunction, pork, and political agendas.  We do not need Washington-style gridlock in our Town. 

Local government is the best and purest form of government as it provides residents the access and accountability of all of their elected officials.  With a ward system, our residents will deal with the frustration that issues important to them may fall on deaf ears from over 80% of their councilmen who don't represent their ward.

Although I respect the legal right of North White Plains resident Tony Futia to bring this issue to a vote, I urge you to VOTE NO for both Ward proposals on Thursday November 13, as they propose to fix a problem that does not exist. 

This is your Town and your opportunity to protect its future.

   

Michael Schiliro

Supervisor and Resident

Town of North Castle