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Qualifications, not Party Affiliation Should be Determining Factor in Town Elections
To the Editor:
It's that time again. The run for town-wide office in Philipstown is officially on, now that the candidates have begun to circulate the petitions they need to get on the ballot as required by New York State election law. Candidates seeking the nomination of a political party must secure the signature of at least 5% of those voters in Philipstown who are registered with the Board of Elections as affiliated with that party; candidates seeking an independent nomination must secure the signature of at least 5% of the voters who voted in the most recent gubernatorial election.
Many of us will be asked to sign one or more of these petitions. Before doing so, I suggest that you first, thank the candidate for his or her willingness to run. Then, ask the candidate: "Why are you running?" and "What qualifications do you have to be on the Town Council?"
Important qualifications include experience in working with town officials, knowledge of town issues, and serving on town committees. Party affiliation seems much less important, particularly since the party platforms in recent years have been remarkably similar.
To me, it's the person- does he or she have the relevant experience in town affairs, will he or she stand up for what they believe in even when they are in the minority and will he or she listen to legitimate concerns of every resident - not the party with whom the candidate is affiliated that should be the determining factor in who you vote for.
Nat Prentice
Garrison
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