Tuesday McDonald is also the Director of Music for the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Peekskill under the leadership of Pastor Adolphus C. Lacey and a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc Nu Psi Zeta Chapter located in Peekskill. Tuesday has a heart of gold for God and a love for service to all in the community. She has received numerous recognitions as a community servant. She is most deserving of this recognition as a Woman of Distinction.

Who came up with these phony baloney choices? Kelli Bickman? Valerie Swann? I mean really, it's not enough that they're on the payroll?

My choice for Peekskill's Woman of Distinction- Leesther Brown, hands down.

Lee puts her money where her mouth is. She may not always talk the talk, but she knows how to do the walk. She stands up for what she believes in and pulls no punches. She even ran for Mayor, against all odds, just to prove the point.

Why isn't Leesther's name up there with the rest of them? Because she's not a phony- that's why. I urge Liz to put up Leesther's name too; it's only fair. But then again, like most everything in Peekskill, it's not about fairness, it's about who's zooming who. And the beat goes on.

Tuesday McDonald is committed to the Peekskill Community. She serves as the Director of Music for the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Peekskill, the head of Jason C. Paige Memorial Project, active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., School Board member as well as a host of other organizations and activities. In all her endeavors she maintains the highest levels of honesty, integrity, loyalty and service. She is passionate about the Peekskill Community and strives to contribute to a healthy and meaningful environment for all its members. She is a role model and a mentor to many young women and men in the Community. Above all of this, she is a woman of God. She exemplifies what it means to be a “Woman of Distinction” in the City of Peekskill.

A comment was deleted for being mean spirited. Please be nice. This is not an official poll.

Wow - this is tough, as I know three of the candidates well. Deb Milone does amazing work with the HVGCC. Jeanne Blum also has contributed tremendously to the community. Kelli Bickman's work bringing art to young people has also really benefitted Peekskill. And the others look great too. I don't know! I don't know!

A comment referencing a pseudonym has been deleted.

Sister Tuesday Mcdonald is totally inspired by GOD, so helpful, so loving & so talented, she makes the whole group feel comfortable yet inspires all to learn & practice on their own in everyday life. a truly blessed motivating spirit...

I love Kacey but I don't think she has a connection to Peekskill. I think she's from a neighboring town and currently lives elsewhere in the Hudson valley. It's fine with me to keep her on the list, though, because she's one foxy dj. My vote goes to Kacey M., goddess of the valley.

Mrs.Tuesday McDonald is a woman of leadership in the Westchester community to all people, especially to our young people. I love her giving actions and her love for kids education and her great connection to the community. I've known Mrs.McDonald and her Family for the last 2 years, I got to know this wonderful soul of a great woman during my visits to MOBC, Tuesday McDonald has inspired me to be a better person, mother, friend and a woman. Mrs Tuesday McDonald is someone I can trust and learn alot more from. Her love for God and care for others are practiced everyday in her life and it's a joy to watch her motivate the people of her community.I am proud to have met and known Mrs.McDonald. Her reflection in life have changed people like myself in the Westchester community.I live in Ossining.By:Miss June Rutherford.

As of 5:12 PM, Debbie Milone holds a comfortable lead with 44% of the vote. But Tuesday McDonald, who has received much online support, is still in the running with 30%. In real numbers, fewer than thirty votes separates the frontrunners. A distant third is Kacey Morabito, whom one respondent called "foxy", with 8% of the tally. Not sure what time the polls close but it's too soon to call it.

Wow, I am honored to be nominated...although I think Valerie Swan and Jeannie Blum do so much more for the community than me. Valerie Swan has a dedicated spirit that goes above and beyond the call of duty to her work with the youth of Peekskill, and Jeannie, well, she gives people hope, food, and a warm bed.

For the record, I am not on anyone's payroll. Nothing phony baloney about it.

Rev. Darryl Vaughn Footmon
Tuesday Paige-McDonald has a unique gift that sets her apart from most. I don't know if I can say that I know of anyone more deserving of such a honor, as she cares unconditionally, shares with all and loves abundantly. She makes time for everyone and works tirelessly to ensure a certain level of care and excellence is present in all that she does. She is well loved and recieved by all who are fortunate enough to really know her.

Tuesday McDonald is committed to the Peekskill Community.
In a very unique way she serves as the Director of Music for the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Peekskill, she is also on the Peekskill School Board as well as a host of other organizations and activities.
She is passionate about the Peekskill Community and strives to contribute to a healthy and meaningful environment for all its members. She is a role model and a mentor to many young men and women in the Community and also in the lives of our children.
Tuesday McDonald is a God fearing woman who is very deserving of this title.

second to Mr. Goodson; most if not all these women dont live in the City (note it says Peekskill Women of Distinction). Id have to agree with all his observations, and vote for Ms. Milone based on her merits to the community as a whole,not just specific special interest groups

A comment was deleted for being unsubstantiated. If you disagree with the people in the poll please suggest others. This is not official. Also, Kacey Morabito is originally from Verplanck, but has very strong ties to Peekskill. Since this is not official, I am leaving the poll as is. Interesting fact - Kacey was actually named after two nuns at a Peekskill school called Villa Loretto Kathleen and Colette - a mix of Kathleen and Colette.

As of 8:45 AM, Debbie Milone holds a very narrow lead with 45% of the vote. Tuesday McDonald has narrowed the gap with 39%. A late-night surge by McDonald has put her within striking distance of Milone. The margin is now only 18 votes. Kacey Morabito continues in third place with 5%. McDonald's supporters have campaigned heavily for her on the Patch. Leesther Brown was nominated by write-in vote. There was a minor controversy when it was revealed that Morabito was not actually from Peekskill but she remains on the ballot. Linda Puglisi comfortably leads the Cortlandt poll but turnout has been low in that race. Three times as many people have voted in the Peekskill race as the Cortlandt contest.

To All You Posters...You cannot Hold A Torch To Light Another Person's Path Without First Brightening Your Own....

Pursuant to the currently advertised search for a Peekskill Woman of Distinction, I would suggest you place in nomination the names of two marvelous contributors to the community who just happen to be sisters. Sara Bentley has for many years served the city as Head of the Field Library Children’s Room, designing its countless, creative, year-round programs for city youngsters and parents. She has given many hours of service to the Homeless Shelter and also worked to beautify the city in her role as three-time President of The Peekskill Garden Club.

Sara’s sister, Julia Bentley, is yet another bright light in the City of Peekskill where she has, for many years, been the hard-working and cherished Director of Senior Services. Her many creative programs have enriched the lives of countless Peekskill seniors here, in addition to bringing joy to many nursing home residents and veterans with such special Senior Center projects as the annual quilting program. Her efforts have even made possible special group travel throughout the northeast, the Caribbean, and even Europe for many of the members of the Senior Center Club. Prior to her long service with the Senior Center, she had distinguished service as both Registered Nurse and Nursing Home Director at various hospitals and institutions in the Peekskill area including Peekskill Hospital and the Cortlandt Nursing Home.

This is more off-the-reservation political grandstanding by Greg Ball, trying to shore up his image with women to put past allegations behind him, as he contemplates a run for higher office.

The true women of distinction in Cortlandt & Peekskill are working single mothers, who struggle to balance their jobs & their families.

Honoring politicians and/or government employees, for whom the accolades of public office should be sufficient, is a hollow exercise.

I took a look at the Senator's website to see what exactly the criteria for these nominations were: "Women of Distinction" Honoring Women's History Month.

So, in honor of Women's History Month, I would like to suggest for nomination the Honorable Fran Gibbs, who was our first female mayor in the City of Peekskill. Additionally, I would like to nominate the Honorable Catherine Pisani, who dedicated 15 years of public service both on the Common Council and as Deputy Mayor. Both of these amazing women were educators as well. I would further suggest Tina McDermott who has dedicated most of her life to Birthright, helping women and their children in need. I would also suggest for nomination Ruth Wells, who has dedicated countless hours to both sheltering the homeless with her work at the shelter and feeding the hungry via Fred's Pantry. Lastly, I suggest for nomination Lisa Peters, who along with her husband Mike of Highland Pizza, put their business aside ten years ago during 9/11-- she has dedicated herself to feeding our troops based at Camp Smith non-stop.

These women of distrinction are some of the unsung heroes of our community. I know them all personally and can say without reservation they live their lives according to the heart, not the headline.

Whatever you may think of these choices, this pole is speaks volumes. Some should be glad this is not a general election!

Ok Everyone, Thank you so much for your nominations. After several requests, I have added the new nominations to the poll. If you have anyone else you would like to nominate write their name and title in the comments or email them to me by 7 p.m. tonight and I'll add them up there. (elizabeth.giegerich@patch.com). Some of the added nominations up there now were sent to me privately and anonymously. Others were written here in the comments. Again, this is not an official poll. Only the town and city boards can send Sen. Ball official nominations and they are not required to solicit nominations from the public.

As of 4:10 PM, with an increasingly widening field, Debbie Milone has leaped ahead with a commanding 52% of the vote, the first time any candidate has achieved a majority. Tuesday McDonald has fallen to 30% but is still the only electoral challenger to Milone at this point. With the new entries, however, things might change. In an astounding turnaround in the Cortlandt vote, Theresa Knickerbocker has swept past favorite Linda Puglisi, garnering 48% of the vote. This unforeseen development will force us to monitor this race more closely.

OMG - this is getting to be ridiculous! So no one can tell the truth without getting their post pulled? I said nothing that was "unsubstantiated." Morabito doesn't live or work in the city - FACT, Blum brings homeless to Peekskill - FACT, McDonald has been a long time school board member who now has to answer for the recent state crackdown on the district - FACT, Bickman is Claxton's tenant and gets multiple city contracts - FACT. Now Phillips and Wells are added - what a joke. Pisani, Gibbs, Brown and Peters should have been on from the beginning. At least Mary got her family to vote for her.

P.S. You do a very good job Liz

7:46 Thursday morning - We have a Peekskill dogfight on our hands. Debbie Milone still leads the pack but her percentage has taken a hit, dropping to 35%. It appeared yesterday no one could stop Ms. Milone but an insurgency by late entry Patty Villanova has threatened the frontrunner. Just added yesterday, Villanova, a fierce BID critic, has already claimed 27% of the vote, pushing her into second place and dropping Tuesday McDonald into third. There are now 19 candidates in the Peekskill race. The Cortlandt race remains the same as last night, with Theresa Knickerbocker sitting on a comfortable lead of 47% with Linda Puglisi in second with 27%. Almost 900 total votes have been cast. Just when we thought the races had ended, it turns out they have just begun.

FYI folks - 900 votes does not mean 900 people have voted. Every time I get a comment update the site allows me to vote again. Like Liz said - unscientific and by no means an accurate reflection of reality. Keep that in mind when considering these numbers.

I don't understand how that works Margaret, I tried to vote again and it would not let me (just to check things out).
Spruce, we will miss your reporting, you have become the Warner Wolf of this string.

Dawn's the best

:-)

Great example of Guerrilla Marketing - Gran movimiento republicano organización

Some people just never can get enough attention and/or $$$$$$. I guess that's just another benefit of being a member of Le Club in good standing.

There ain't even 1346 readers of the Patch....Come on now play fair it ain't that serious!

Tuesday McDonald exemplifies what a woman of distinction should be. She is a leader, a mother, a wife and an active member and fabric of the community. I would be remiss if I did not also include that she is a dynamic director of music at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church. She exudes love and carries herself with respect and friendliness.

Silly me! All week long I've been looking for an actual ballot to vote, and all I had to do is leave a comment! There are several great women that have been nominated who stand for great things in Peekskill. I have lived in Peekskill all of my life, and have known Tuesday for most of it. Tuesday comes from a strong family upbringing that created in her the greatness that she has in her. Tuesday has always been a phenomenal leader, team player, friend, and very dedicated to whatever it is she tags her name to. She is committed to seeing that things are done right and in the spirit of excellence. She is a very well rounded beautiful woman who can even in your times of trials will put a smile on your face. She is a beacon of light that allows her beauty to shine through. With all of this she remains humble whereby the glory is not given to her, but to the Father she worships. With that I say....Tuesday Paige-Mcdonald, YOU are a great woman of destinction!

Wow so much venom and anger. I feel sorry for the people that have to go through life bearing that burden. This is a simple exercise in identifying women amongst us that we feel have done something for the community. If you feel that someone needs to be recognized, please do. Why tear down others that have contributed more to this community than snide remarks on a website.
PS: Since when is homelessness and providing shelter to them a sin.

I share your sentiment, Poobah. There's so much I'd like to say, but you summed it up so nicely. One would think this was a teenage popularity contest. This "poll" is not the official Senator Ball initiative. Official nominations are submitted to the Town of Cortlandt Town Board and City of Peekskill Council and they will then submit their nominations to the Senator.

I will say this though. Over 1500 votes in the City of Peekskill? And I've got a bridge to sell in Brooklyn. Too bad these "voters" don't exercise their voting power during the real elections.....we might have different seat-warmers on the Council.

This truly is an embarrassemnt to the Women who have been nominated as they all bring something GREAT to the city of Peekskill in many different ways. I would suggest the voting be in a different forum as this just creates unnecessary animosity. Instead of voters trying to see the good that these women do, they will have to decipher through all of this negative comments that has been posted first.

These type of polls are never a good idea. However, kudos to Pisani, Brown and Villanova for such a strong showing after being added late!

Most of us work hard for a living. We save. We take out a loan and buy a house for the good of our family. Then someone like Mary Foster comes along and steals our house by eminent domain. The fact that she ran for office opposing eminent domain but now is using it is the height of hypocrisy. Mary Foster should be honored as the biggest, most distinguished hypocrite in the County.

Here is a video of the senator's Women of Distinction ceremony from this weekend. http://patch.com/A-sdJv You can read about the honorees, who were nominated by their municipalities at the following links: Cortlandt, http://patch.com/A-r8lw; Buchanan, http://patch.com/A-rwSf