Letter to the Editor: In Support of Mary Foster

In 2008, Mary Foster was elected mayor of Peekskill.  As an accountant, she used her expertise to revamp the city’s finances. Foster found monies within the budget to hire an economic developer while keeping taxes flat. This was one of the wisest decisions made by a Peekskill elected official in decades.
 
Over the last four years, Mayor Foster and her team’s plan to improve Peekskill has moved forward despite the worst economic downturn since the great depression. Foster began by making downtown safe and accessible attracting new business owners. This not only increased revenue and employment, but restored Peekskill to its status as the viable river town that it once was.  In addition, many businesses have moved to the city’s industrial area. Two movies and a few television commercials have been filmed in Peekskill. The city also became part of Art Along the Hudson.
 
As everyone knows, the economy is still in recovery. Mayor Foster is running for re-election because she is committed to shepherding the city’s finances during these uncertain economic times.  Her current plan includes bringing high tech and bio tech businesses to the industrial area in Peekskill. In addition, she intends to expand the downtown area by establishing a diverse mix of retail enterprises, a wider variety of restaurants, and business that cater to families.  She also is committed to making Peekskill an arts destination that is linked to New York City.
 
Former republican mayors lacked a cohesive vision for the city. With no overarching plan, former republican politicians sold pieces of Peekskill to the highest bidder.  As deals were made that predominantly benefited businesses, establishments popped up, but failed on a regular basis. When developers reneged on their contracts, the city was then embroiled in law suits to regain control of the damaged property left behind.
 
Republican candidate for mayor, Tony Washington, clearly intends to revert to failed past practices.  He and Barbara Kerasiotis told The Northern Westchester Examiner that the republican’s objectives are better, yet they neglected to reveal a business plan.  Instead, the republican’s platform consists of spouting rhetoric and devaluing the progress made during Mayor Foster’s tenure.  Washington also claims his “plan for business development in Peekskill contains real solutions that matter in the real world.”  Certainly Washington cannot be referring to the world we are living in today.
 
The question every Peekskill resident must ask themselves is - Do you want progress in Peekskill to move forward or backward?  If you would like to see Peekskill continue to grow and fully realize its prominent position as a city in Westchester, reelect  Mayor Foster and vote for the democratic candidates for common council.
 
Marta Brooks
Peekskill, NY