Why Victoria Gearity Should Be Ossining's Next Mayor

"I am concerned that someone with less patience, less experience, less commitment to these goals and less availability will delay or abandon further development and miss this opportunity of the convergence of great momentum in the Village" – Mayor William Hanauer, Village of Ossining

I read this quote in recent press coverage from Mayor Hanauer’s campaign.  It was largely directed at Victoria Gearity and her run to replace the four-time incumbent mayor.

 I don’t consider myself “political.”  I also don’t particularly enjoy watching the process of citizens running for public office: it often brings out a lot of twisted, dirt-slinging, half-truths and vitriol in our community  that make me want to leave town until it’s over , all while feeling outright sad about our state of civilization.  I understand the need for campaigning – but I don’t much like it.

This Saturday, I was at the Ossining’s farmers market where Mayor Hanauer’s partner, Alan Stahl, was out getting signatures on petitions. 

I asked him whether the press quote noted above could have been misinterpreted,or whether it was actually intended to suggest that Victoria Gearity’s stay-at-home-mom status has made her an ineffective Trustee, and that somehow, having children, would weaken her ability to effectively serve as mayor.   His answer: “she is not available during the hours of 3-7pm.” This by the way, was the same recycled argument used to derail– albeit unsuccessfully - another mother-of-young-children’s run for public office.  Interestingly enough, not only does she now hold a higher office as a County legislator than the naysayers – but she was re-elected.  Somehow she managed to balance work and family (as many parents must do), get her job done, and still get the support to further elevate her public service tenure.  Touché.  As one of my favorite sayings go, “if you want to get something done,give it to a busy person.”  

But here I am – getting sucked into it all because I am so disturbed by the suggestion that Victoria Gearity could not be an effective mayor, not just based not on her stay-at-home-mom status but a host of other tricks being pulled out of the proverbial bag, when she has managed to be successful thus far in creating quality programs, community outreach, transparency, collaboration and a host of other wonderful things that have changed the tenor in which our local government works. I share with you the wonderful things I have had the pleasure to collaborate with her on and know that these initiatives would not have been successful without her drive, ideas, enthusiasm, and dedication all to make Greater Ossining a better place:

• Green Ossining –  Ossining’s grassroots community-based environmental resource group whose goals are to reduce
  our community’s carbon footprint, make greater use of local resources, and find collaborative solutions to help residents reduce energy consumption in their homes and businesses.  Victoria became an enthusiastic member before becoming a Trustee. Her ideas, ownership of responsibilities, facilitation and collaboration with community members helped Green Ossining to create the most successful and meaningful Earth Day event in Ossining’s history this past April. Resources: http://www.greenossining.org or https://www.facebook.com/greenossining

• Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series -  this Series serves to bring relevant topics to the community by screening documentaries which are followed by subject matter experts who field questions from the community.   The concept and platform for the Series was fully Victoria’s brainchild and her thoughtful assessments, direction, and collaboration have helped us select appropriate films and
  panelists, and the recognition just earned the Series a grant from Arts Westchester even before our 1st Anniversary this month.  Her smart and innovative ideas have created a cultural opportunity and forum for discussion that Ossining has never seen,with a net result allowing for a unique opportunity to get the pulse and feedback of the community on important topics. Discussions that have allowed
  her the opportunity to understand how to determine paths for certain legislation. Resources: http://ossiningdocumentaries.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/ossiningdocumentaries

• Energize Ossining –In 2012, Victoria and I offered to become Ossining’s liaisons to the community for this state-funded energy efficiency program. The program’s objectives were to help homeowners save money and use less energy by offering free home-energy
  assessments so community members could be better educated about their homes energy usage/waste, and take advantage of the NY State’s program to assist homeowners financially.   Through Victoria’s collaboration, perseverance and availability to have public forums
  and answer homeowners’ questions, tabling at the Ossining Public Library and other events to give the program more exposure, Ossining has become the largest community in Westchester to benefit from the program and is a leader in the number of homeowners that are now more saving money from this program. Resources: http://ossining.energizeny.org/  or https://www.facebook.com/energizeossining

• Grow Ossining – A community-based investment fund whose aim is to allow community members to invest in Ossining's historic downtown Main Street Business District. Victoria became an enthusiastic supporter and one of 100 Founding Members.   In recognizing that Ossining’s Main Street is such a vital artery to the long-term economic health – Victoria supports this community-based organization in their efforts to build a greater downtown through "locavesting".  She is the only candidate running for Mayor that has stepped up to support this group and its belief that the community can create its own positive change.   Resources: http://growossining.snappages.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/groups/GrowOssining/

 I’m certain that there are more municipal-based initiatives and programs for which she’s been responsible, worked on or spearheaded, all with a positive affect and all with proof that she’s been a wonderful ambassador hard-at-work for this community.  

 If what we ask and hope of government is to reflect and represent the people’s needs then I assure you that Victoria’s ability to willingly listen to those needs, act in the interest of them, take care in thinking about them, weigh the balance needed in making hard decisions, will serve you well.   She brings an otherwise unrepresented perspective to government and her young family is what I would imagine we would like to see more of in our great community.

Ossining can do worse. But I don’t think it can do better than Victoria Gearity for Mayor.

Suzie Ross

Acting Chair, Green Ossining

Town Liaison, Energize Ossining

Founding Member, Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series

Founding Member, Grow Ossining

Member, Environmental Advisory Committee, Town of Ossining

Ambassador, Riverkeeper