44°
To the Editor:
Voter suppression. White nationalism. Immigrant bashing. It happens right here in Westchester.
On November 7, we will have the opportunity to vote in local elections. The highest profile race is for County Executive. George Latimer is challenging two term incumbent, Rob Astorino. Sadly, most people don’t turn out to vote in off-year (non presidential) elections. After all, this is Westchester. Our taxes may be high, but life is pretty good here. Who cares about local politics?
Since the election of Donald Trump, many people have realized that democracy is not a spectator sport. If we want good government on any level, we need to work for it. Groups have sprung up all over the country to “resist” the Trump agenda by recruiting and campaigning for progressive candidates. The Trump supporters/defenders are pulling out all the stops to maintain their hold:
- Rob Astorino is doubling down on his Trumpian anti-choice, anti-immigrant, anti-climate change agenda. In addition to his hefty war chest, he received a $1million campaign infusion from the Mercer family. Robert Mercer is a billionaire who has funded Breitbart News (far right, alt-right, white supremacist) and Trump’s hateful campaign.
In Yorktown, you may have seen the racist, fear mongering, anti-immigrant mailings supporting Town Supervisor Michael Grace and his Republican buddies on the town council. In addition, Mr. Grace et al tried to close down the polls at the Yorktown Town Hall, claiming that construction renders the building unsafe for voters. Meanwhile, the Town employees continue to work there. Grace wanted to relocate the polls elsewhere in Yorktown, creating confusion and thereby suppressing voter turnout. His plan would have succeeded, if the courts had not intervened.
Yes, the ugliest aspects of politics are right here at home. You can shrug your shoulders and stay home on Election Day- which will ensure more of the same. Or you can do a little homework, and vote for those who represent transparent government, and the values of fairness, inclusion, and basic human decency.
Celeste Theis
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