Sleepy Hollow Elections Swing Into Full Gear

SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. – Village trustee candidates have swung into full campaign mode in the past few weeks as the upcoming election approaches.

Sleepy Hollow Independent Party candidates David Bedell, Sean Roach and Daniel Scott hosted a fundraiser on Saturday at Moon River Grill, raising money and awareness about their campaign and the issues. In addition to the fundraiser, the candidates have scheduled coffees and meet-and-greets throughout the village.

“The campaign has been a lot of fun so far,” Bedell said. “It's gotten very positive reactions from friends and neighbors. We're looking forward to coffees in every neighborhood over the coming weeks and the debates.”

Democratic and Better Government candidates Karin Wompa, Susan MacFarlane and Jennifer Lobato-Church have also been fundraising and campaigning. Trustee and Democratic Party member Bruce Campbell noted the candidates had been visiting village neighborhoods to discuss residents' concerns such as downtown revitalization and the General Motors redevelopment. Sleepy Hollow Mayor Ken Wray also hosted a reception for the candidates in his Webber Park home.

“The candidates promise to visit every neighborhood in the village over the coming weeks,” Campbell said. “They will point up the success of the current village administration in holding the line on taxes, advancing the GM project, stabilizing the village police department, updating the village Code and much more.”

The Philipse Manor Improvement Association and the Sleepy Hollow Manor Association have announced that their jointly-sponsored Candidates' Night would be held March 15 in the auditorium at Philipsburg Manor. The six candidates running for trustee spots will participate in a question-and-answer debate beginning at 8 p.m.

Another debate will be held at the Kendal-on-Hudson retirement community, but the exact date and time has not been announced.

Sleepy Hollow resident Charles Zekus has lived in the village for 50 years. He attended Saturday's fundraiser for the Sleepy Hollow Independent Party and says he'll be voting for them in the upcoming election. For Zekus, the big issue in this election is the rehabilitation of commerce.

“Although the current politicians state how well they've done with Beekman Ave., I don't see it,” he said. “I live here, I work here. I don't see it.”

Zekus later added that the village needs to also focus on rehabilitating the Cortlandt Street business district and add more commerce to the General Motors redevelopment instead of residential units.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Tarrytown-SleepyHollow and receive free news updates.