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Locally, the Democrats will choose their candidates for Town Supervisor and Town Clerk in an election that pits challenger Bob Bermstein against incumbent Paul Feiner and challenger Sherron Brunson Fantauzzi against incumbent Town Clerk Judith Bellville. Bernstein and Brunson Fanyauzzi were endorsed by the Greenburgh Democratic Party Committee at its convention in May.
Bernstein, a Hartsdale attorney and lifelong Democrat, claims Feiner has mismanaged town business, specifically in handling several valuable parcels of real estate, including the Franks' Nursery property, the former WestHELP shelter and the failed law suit over denying Mount Vernon Fortress the use of a Greenburgh property for a church. Fortress Bible sued the Town and won. Damages could cost the Town millions.
Feiner defends his 22-year tenure by boasting the Town's AAA bond ratings, low tax rates relative to other affluent Westchester communities and his hands-on method of governing, including being available to residents by phone or email day and night.
Although Feiner admits there were mistakes made in the handling of real estate deals, he defends the Fortress Bible Church law suit, saying he and the Town Board believed the use of the land for a church was not in the best interest of the Town for safety reasons.
Bernstein said he hopes to work to lower taxes through a long-delayed property re-assessment and an improved approach to spending and the use of Town property resources. He also wants to bring professional management to his administration, improve infrastructure and bring open government to Greenburgh.
Feiner said if re-elected he will focus immediately on resolving issues with the sale and use of Frank's Nursery and WestHELP to bring revenues to the Town and continue encouraging new development in Greenburgh.
In the Town Clerk race, Brunson Fantauzzi said she wants to improve town government efficiency by streamlining technology (website and record-keeping) and helping residents gain better access to Town government. Fantauzzi said the Town Clerk's office should remain independent of the Town Board and Supervisor in focusing on the needs of the community and the dispersal of information.
Beville, who is running for her fourth term, stresses her three-term accomplishment in improving technology, record keeping and public access through Cable Access broadcast of town meetings, and helping to increase Town revenue through the cable access agreement.
Polls for the primary election open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Check the Westchester Board of Elections website for information about polling locations.
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