I have worked with Leo Wiegman for several years both when he served as a Trustee and now as the mayor of Croton-on-Hudson. It has been a pleasure working with him and it’s been a very successful collaboration for our community and residents. Leo has been a leader in our newly established Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium (NWEAC) and is chairing our effort on reducing gas emissions to benefit our quality of life. This project and all related issues are so important in conserving energy and in improving our overall environment for future generations. We need Leo Wiegman to continue as Croton’s mayor to help us meet these challenges and to find solutions.

Also, Mayor Wiegman and his colleagues on the Croton Board of Trustees have reduced village taxes over the past two years by 2% in a very difficult economic period. As you know, keeping costs and local taxes low have been a priority of mine and it is for Leo Wiegman, as well. We need Leo to continue as Croton’s mayor so he can carry on his fiscal responsibility for the residents and businesses in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson.

Another area where Mayor Wiegman and I work closely together on is shared services. We are always looking at ways to save our taxpayers money. For example: recycling, scrap metal auctions, shared bids, bidding various needed items together, to plan for the important 9/11 Remembrance Memorial to be located at Croton Landing, and the energy consortium to name just a few.

In conclusion, I ask for your support on Election Day, March 15th, to re-elect a true leader, Leo Wiegman, as mayor of Croton-on-Hudson and his team of Ian Murtaugh and Casey Raskob for trustees. Leo Wiegman needs these fine individuals to help him meet the challenges and to make good decisions for our great Village of Croton-on-Hudson. Thank you for your consideration.

Linda Puglisi,
Supervisor of the Town of Cortlandt,
Cortlandt Manor

Don’t be fooled by claims to the contrary: our Democratic-led board has actually increased the size of the Village’s General Fund, and landed Croton a solid Aa2 bond rating from Moody’s Investor Service. This was done through prudent fiscal management including stringent cost-containment measures (undertaken in close coordination with our Village’s management professionals). They have continually worked to improve the quality of life here in Croton, from the Harmon rezoning to upgrading the train station parking lot to the long range planning for and completion of our beautiful Croton Landing waterfront area.

As we get ready to go to the polls, I urge all voters not to be distracted by single-issue interest groups, nor by negative campaigns that, due to the lack of original ideas in their platform, are based solely on attacks rather than a legacy of accomplishment. Rather, ask yourself which party has consistently found the creative and progressive solutions to the issues that we face in Croton, and brought forth a positive vision for moving Croton forward in today’s world.

That’s why on March 15 I’ll be voting for the Democratic ticket of Leo Wiegman for Mayor and Ian Murtaugh and Casey Raskob for Trustees.

Adam Rothberg,

Croton-on-Hudson

If year after year your household expenses increase faster than your income, there are only two things you can do: increase your income; lower your standard of living.

When deciding who to vote for on March 15, you are faced with the very same two choices.

Mayor Wiegman, Trustee Murtaugh and Casey Raskob feel increasing income from sources other than “us” is the correct approach to managing village finances. If elected, they will do so by: passing the Harmon re-zoning to provide incentives that will attract new investment and increase commercial property tax income; and protecting and growing our $2 million annual train station parking lot income by utilizing federal grant money to improve vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian access along Riverside and Croton Point Avenues.

Republican mayoral candidate Mark Aarons and his running-mates have made it clear that they opposed the Harmon re-zoning and the use of $1.5 million in federal grant money to improve access to the train station. In addition, they have not put forth a single idea of their own to increase the village’s income from sources other than our purses and wallets.

If you are like us and favor increasing Croton’s income over lowering our standard of living over time, then join us in voting for Wiegman, Murtaugh and Raskob on March 15th.

Don’t forget to bring a few like minded friends to the polls with you!

Christine and Kieran Murray,

Croton-on-Hudson

I was inspired by Casey Raskob’s speech at the soup event on Sunday at the Yacht Club.

I agree with him, we must move forward. Casey and his familly are great neighbors and a real asset to Croton. I admire someone with his busy schedule agreeing to bring his skills and talents to help our village. I encourage my friends and meighbors to move for Casey and the rest of the Democratic ticket. I also hope to get a chance to vote for them all again – in a November election!

Ronald Marans

Croton-on-Hudson

It’s rare that we have as stark a contrast between Croton mayoral candidates as we do this year.

Leo Wiegman is a person deeply interested in the business and mechanics of good government and how it can be made to work. He’s a bundle of good ideas. As mayor, he’s reduced village property taxes for two consecutive years, begun commercial development incentives to expand the tax base and brought many improvements such as completion of Croton Landing park, stimulus dollars to reduce local government energy costs, pay stations for daily parking at the station parking lot, the Farmers Market and Community Garden, and adoptoin of a Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan. Village volunteerism has dramatically increased in the last two years as people feel and respond to Leo’s energy.

Based on his recent history in local politics, Mark Aarons seems to me to be one of those many people who view political office primarily as a means of promoting themselves – showing little interest in actually making government work, and with few ideas. His modus operandi – on display in his campaign this year – is to attack his opponents for what they’ve done, without offering practical alternatives. When he ran for Cortlandt Town Council five years ago, town voters saw through this approach and he lost by a large margin.

In these difficult times, Croton needs someone like Leo as mayor.

Sincerely,
Paul Doyle

Croton-on-Hudson

I am writing to express my support for Leo Wiegman, Ian Murtaugh, and Casey Raskob.

The board’s Democratic majority has been able to hold the line on taxes without sacrificing good government. They have restored civility in village government and they are pursuing new and innovative ways to improve the village. While many within Croton’s Democratic establishment have been hostile to Proposition One, a proposal that will save money and encourage people to vote, they have not responded with the same reactionary vitriol and fear mongering as the GOP. I hope village residents will join me in supporting Wiegman, Murtaugh and Raskob on election day.

Scott Davidson

Croton-on-Hudson

Since coming to office, Leo Wiegman and Ian Murtaugh have consistently lowered our taxes not by cutting services but instead by increasing efficiency, forming energy-saving alliances with other municipalities, and by strengthening and maximizing the relationships with a wide range of public service groups in Croton-on-Hudson. I know them to be good and honorable men.

Wiegman, Murtaugh and Raskob have my vote to responsibly continue to lead our village toward even greater efficiencies, alliances, public programs, a healthy environment and commercially beneficial initiatives.

Sincerely,
Mark Magel

Croton-on-Hudson

I have lived in Croton for almost 20 years and I think that Leo Wiegman is an invaluable asset to our community with creative, forward thinking ideas and policies. I have just looked through the presentation deck that our mayor produced for a Croton Budget Workshop and I feel that I have a better understanding of our village’s finances than I have ever had before. And the story is more positive than I had imagined; with tax decreases while having more money in the general fund. I like not having a flood plain in the train parking lot. I like having the Farmer’s Market here during the season. I like seeing new restaurants in the village. I have appreciated the day to day services during this unusually harsh winter that have been at least as well run as they were during the last administration. As in the past, I do not hear positive ideas coming from the other party, just a lot of accusations and negativity without having a plan to move us forward. I will be voting Democrat this elections cycle.

Gary Shaw

Croton-on-Hudson

Our current government has done tremendous work in these past two years and we should allow it to continue to work as it has to improve our community.  Croton now has a beautiful Community Garden and a convenient Farmers Market.  Our beloved Croton Landing has seen many improvements and our village taxes have been cut two years in a row.  It’s important to realize that in these tough times to vote for Leo Wiegman is to continue with that momentum and for Croton to bloom into the town that we want.

Alicia Pascale,

Croton-on-Hudson

The Republicans are spinning madly again. Here are the facts:
-When they had a majority they raised village taxes every year and blocked efforts to plan for the future.
-In the last two years we Democrats lowered your Village taxes twice without cutting services, and our bond rating went up. And we’ve commissioned professional plans for the future.
Your choice: do nothing and watch taxes grow, or cut costs and plan for new revenues.
If you believe with me that we can and must cut taxes and solve problems, vote Wiegman, Murtaugh and Raskob.

Richard Olver,

Croton Village Trustee

Thanks to the thoughtful, careful planning by the Democratic Trustees and Mayors in Croton over the years, we now have ownership of the station parking lot (our biggest source of income) and the use of the beautiful Croton Landing (conceived by the Democrats, credit falsely claimed by the Republicans).

These are only two examples of the fact that while the Republicans have sat on their hands and said,”Croton is perfect as it is,”  the Democrats have consistently seen the needs of the Village and taken the actions necessary to deliver what this village needs.

Richard Masur,

Croton-on-Hudson

One thing that is increasingly rare in politics – local or international – is focus on the long-term.  Too often the next election prevents politicians from addressing the real long-term needs of a community.  Fortunately, Croton is a rare exception to this trend under the leadership of Mayor Wiegman and Trustee Murtaugh.

Village taxes have been cut two years in a row, making this community more affordable to its current and future citizens.  Attention has been paid to commercial development to spur new business investment that will further provide for the long-term sustainability of our tax base.  The station parking lot, another source of income for the Village, has been raised and repaved.  At the same time, Croton Landing has provided our community yet another beautiful space to enjoy for years to come.  And our Mayor is a leader in the creation of a program to give homeowners an affordable way to make their homes energy efficient.  This is what leadership looks like.

Knowing that there was a looming election, the Mayor and Board could have went on a spending spree of focused on cheap headlines.  Instead, they worked on the real needs of our community and that’s why the obvious choice this year is the Wiegman, Murtaugh and Raskob slate.

Justin Wagner,

Croton-on-Hudson

Letter submitted to the Gazette:

100 Benedict Boulevard
Croton-on-Hudson NY 10520
914-271-1145
leo@etothefourth.com

1 February 2011

Dear Croton neighbor:

Regarding the proposal for controlled bowhunting within Village limits, we have listened carefully to the community.

We will no longer consider bowhunting in Croton as an option.

We look forward to working with the community on alternative solutions to improve the health of our woods.

Leo Wiegman
Ian Murtaugh
Casey Raskob

January 20, 2011 Croton mayor Wiegman to seek re-election Robert Marchant rmarchan@lohud.com Mayor Leo Wiegman will seek a second term as Croton-on-Hudson’s top elected official, running for re-election with Democratic trustee candidates Casey Raskob and Ian Murtaugh. Wiegman pointed to two years of tax cuts and what he called an inclusive style of governance in promoting his campaign. “We’ve activated and reactivated citizens and the community, and we’re listening to people,” he said. Wiegman, an environmental consultant, cited new task forces and citizens groups that have worked on pedestrian improvements, community gardening, energy efficiency, business development and long-term planning as examples of what he called a “let’s work together” attitude toward local government. A current Democratic trustee who was appointed to the board, Richard Olver, is not seeking election. Raskob, a local attorney who has been active in educational and youth sports circles, is running for a seat. Murtaugh, a one-term incumbent who runs a specialty advertising and merchandise business, is seeking re-election. Democrats hold all but one seat on the five-member village Board of Trustees. Republicans are meeting Monday. The Republican chairwoman, Susan Konig, said their candidates would have a number of issues to campaign on. “They’re squandering taxpayer money,” she said, referring to a $97,000 study of train station parking that she claimed was unnecessary. Konig also criticized the Democratic administration for pushing a proposal to allow bowhunting of deer in the village, as well as rezoning the Harmon business district in Croton’s south end. She said the process behind both was seriously flawed and added, “they’ve got to get their priorities straight,” focusing on the village’s more immediate needs. The mayor is paid $5,000 a year; trustees, $3,000. Terms are two years. The election is March 15.   Plan targets traffic woes at Croton-Harmon train station Mar. 7, 2011  |Written by ROBERT MARCHANT RMARCHAN@LOHUD.COM CROTON-ON-HUDSON — It’s easy to see why they call it “rush hour” at the Croton-Harmon train station during peak commuting times. Cars pull in and out as fast as busy traffic will allow, and with a mix of pedestrians and a few cyclists thrown in, a hectic combination is the result. A $1.7 million federal grant that would add traffic lights and a more orderly traffic pattern has been authorized to solve the problem, amid concerns about the project’s cost. Village leaders recently approved the design and engineering phase of the project, which could begin in 2012 or 2013.C “It would make it safer, and easier for cars, bicyclists and pedestrians,” Mayor Leo Wiegman said. Besides a traffic light at the entrance of the station, two other lights would be placed at the nearby entrances of Route 9 (at the southbound and northbound lanes). The lights would be coordinated to allow a steady flow of traffic on a green signal. Pedestrian enhancements and more street lighting would also be a part of the package. The entrance to the busy station was built by the state in the 1960s, when concern for pedestrians and cyclists was not a priority. There have been numerous minor accidents along the corridor leading to the station and near-misses with pedestrians. “The state planned it for maximum speed,” said Wiegman, who recalled that he had been nearly struck twice himself by vehicles while walking near the station. “We want to give safe passage to cyclists and pedestrians, as well as cars.” The grant would require Croton village funding, as well, though that amount has yet to be determined. The amount of local spending is already raising concerns. Keith Douglas, who works in municipal administration and is running for local office, questioned the timing of the project. “It’s a good project. But at this point in time, with the recession, is it a good time to do it?” Douglas said. He and other Republicans running for seats on the village board have been critical of a $97,000 outlay to hire a consultant that was spent studying parking issues at the station. “They’re giving consultants free rein,” he said. Wiegman noted the parking report was completed under-budget and could cost moderately less than $97,000 once all the accounting is complete. He said it provided valuable financial and planning data, as well as recommendations that could save money over the long term. As for the plans to reformulate the train station entrance, Wiegman said the money would be lost if the village delayed. The administration is also working to promote economic revitalization of the nearby Harmon business district, and improved access in the area ties in with that goal. One local commuter, Jimmy Chambers, a college student from Yorktown, said getting to and from the station could be a challenge. “During rush hour, it’s definitely pretty chaotic,” he said. “It would be good if they made it safer. I see people riding bikes in, and it looks kind of dangerous.”     Cost saving at heart of Croton, Buchanan races 12:41 AM, Mar. 13, 2011  |Written by ROBERT MARCHANT RMARCHAN@LOHUD.COM Village elections will be held in Croton and Buchanan on Tuesday. In Croton, the Democratic slate has been promoting its financial strategy and steps for long-term growth. Republicans, meanwhile, question their commitment to an open and accountable government and say cost controls have been less than stringent when it comes to consulting fees. Mayor Leo Wiegman, seeking a second term, cites what he called prudent management of village finances, such as putting caps on departmental budgets and keeping the fund balance “as healthy as ever.” Wiegman is running with Trustee Ian Murtaugh and first-time candidate and attorney Casey Raskob. Wiegman said the village was looking toward economic development, as well: “We’re continuing to invest in the future.” The Democrats are also pointing to a range of smaller, quality-of-life improvements, such as a new farmer’s market and community garden. Mark Aarons, the Republican candidate for mayor and a Planning Board member, was critical. Citing village plans for re-making the entrance to the train station, he said the costs involved were excessive at a time when fiscal restraint was in order. “It’s bad fiscal policy, bad fiscal management ,” he said. Aarons cited a recent train station parking study, saying the consultants weren’t given enough direction or concrete parameters and that the cost came in too high. He is running with trustee candidates Keith Douglas, who works in municipal administration, and Patrick Calcutti, a retired village police officer. Aarons also criticized the Democratic administration for what he called “secrecy and non-transparency.” Citing a proposal to allow the bow-hunting of deer in the village, which was later dropped, Aarons said: “The execution was poor.” He cited his own background as a lawyer and businessman — “Management is my life. … I believe I know how to delve into administration and project management.” Democrats have all but one seat on the five-member board. Croton voters will also be asked whether to keep local elections in March or move them to November.