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PORT CHESTER, N.Y. - The following letter was sent to Harrison reporter Phil Corso detailing why Democratic candidate Dan Brakewood would be a suitable county legislator for District 6. Brakewood will run for the position in November's general election against David Gelfarb (R, C).
District 6 represents Harrison, Rye and Port Chester on the county Board of Legislators.
Dear Editor,
If Dan Brakewood and David Gelfarb were cast against each other on CBS's "Survivor," who do you think would ultimately survive? Both candidates for county legislator are well educated, articulate and hard working. But which one has the best leadership potential under the adverse conditions of county government? Based on what I've seen, I think Dan Brakewood would be the clear winner.
Brakewood has shown his grit and determination in his five years of service on the often divisive and highly charged Port Chester Board of Trustees. Gelfarb, by contrast, has served four benign years in the majority on the comparatively calm Rye Town Board.
Brakewood has a vision for county government. He has a strategy that, if implemented, will help fix many of the aspects of county government that drive most of us crazy. He wants to reduce the number of county legislators and replace the county executive with a professional manager. He also thinks the county should do more of the back office work of the towns, villages and cities. It makes sense to have the county partner with our local governments because the county can do things once for all of the municipalities rather than have each municipality repeat each task over and over. I'm confident that Brakewood will be a leader on the Board of Legislators that works hard to promote his plan for reducing the size and complexity of county government.
Gelfarb's self-professed strategy is to follow the lead and footsteps of the county executive. I'm concerned that Gelfarb's lack of his own plan will cause him to fall prey to the other members of the Board who will be all too happy to foist their ideas upon him.
Which one is going to "survive" at the county? Which one is going to actually shake things up for the better? My vote goes to Dan Brakewood on Nov. 8.
Bob Johnson
(Port Chester Board of Education Trustee)
Send your District 6 endorsement letters to PCorso@TheDailyHarrison.com.
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