Letters to the Editor: Vote Row A for the Democrats

To the Editor: The midterm elections are upon us. The Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee urges you to vote for all the Democratic candidates, on Row A.

The election of Joe Biden as President spared the nation from the re-election of the worst president in American history, Donald Trump. But Trumpism/MAGA Republicans still poison our political landscape and threaten to destroy our democracy. Their extreme politics have brought us to a place--abetted by an out of touch Supreme Court--where gun safety are dirty words and women who seek reproductive health care are treated like criminals.

These extremist Republicans are gearing up to take over Congress and make abortion a crime in all fifty states, including right here in 'safe' New York. That means you, your wife and your sister could be forced to give birth. They are also plotting to override the popular vote in the 2024 presidential election by electing legislative candidates and enacting laws that will permit state legislatures to ignore the votes of people like you. Do you want a Speaker McCarthy and a Senate Majority Leader McConnell?

Let's not forget that Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate for governor, voted in Congress to overthrow the election AFTER the insurrection on January 6th. That should be disqualifying by itself.

This year it isn't hyperbole: this is the most critical midterm election of our lifetimes.

Republicans would like you to take your eye off their extremism and talk about runaway crime and inflation. But the first is false: crime is down in Westchester County since the election of our Democratic County Executive. The second--yes, there is inflation, a worldwide phenomenon, largely due to the Ukrainian War and shortages. But gas prices are down. Other economic signals are mixed, and the Biden administration and the Federal Reserve are certainly on the case.

The reality?

Democrats have been in charge of both federal and state governments and have been responsible stewards. The CHIPS Act, the Inflation Recovery Act and other legislation like the American Rescue Plan fought the effects of climate change, permitted the government to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, reduced child poverty and positioned us to strengthen the social safety net and move our economy forward. Our community's representatives voted for each and every one of these policies, including U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, both of whom are on the ballot.

Governor Hochul and the whole executive team, Lieutenant Governor Delgado, Comptroller DiNapoli and Attorney General James, are working hard at their jobs in a responsible manner to deliver for the people of New York. Our Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and State Senator Shelley Mayer, to whose district Scarsdale has been added, have delivered protections for women, doctors and providers in the healthcare arena, enacted sensible gun safety regulation and have championed voting reforms and education.

This is no time to be complacent. We need to make a statement here in Scarsdale: we don't agree with extremist politics at either the federal or state level. Your voice is your vote! Vote for the Democratic ticket on Row A!

Myra Saul
Chair, Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee

To the Editor:

Early voting for the midterm election starts tomorrow, October 29. The Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee urges voters to rally around the Democratic ticket and vote for the Democratic candidates on Row A.

In addition to the New York State executive offices and state and federal legislative offices that will be contested, there are several judgeships and a proposal on the ballot.

All Democratic judicial candidates are pro-choice and have the requisite judicial temperament. All the candidates listed below are running for Supreme Court Justice, except for Mr. Williams who is running for County Court Judge. The Supreme Court is New York’s court of general jurisdiction, handling both civil and criminal matters. County Court primarily handles criminal matters but it also has a limited civil jurisdiction.

Supreme Court Candidates

Sherri Eisenpress

Ms. Eisenpress is currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice and a Rockland County Family Court Judge. Prior to becoming a judge, she was a partner in a small litigation boutique law firm specializing in commercial, intellectual property, employment, real estate related litigation and mediation for clients ranging from large and medium sized corporate entities to small businesses and individuals.

Kerri A. Fiore

Ms. Fiore currently serves as a Support Magistrate in Yonkers Family Court, where she hears child support, spousal support and paternity cases. She has also worked in the offices of two judges—one in the Supreme Court and the other in Family Court.

Anne E. Minihan

Judge Minihan is a Westchester County Court Judge and an Acting Supreme Court Justice in the capacity of the Administrative Judge for the 9th Judicial District. Previously, she was the principal law attorney to a Supreme Court justice, Acting Village Justice for Croton-on-Hudson and a principal court attorney to an Appellate Division judge.

Amy S. Puerto

Ms. Puerto is the principal court attorney to a Westchester County Court judge. Previously, she was an Assistant District Attorney in Westchester, where she was the Deputy Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit. She has an extensive background in litigation and helped implement “Raise the Age” legislation by assisting in the development of the youth part of the Westchester County Court.

David J. Squirrell

Mr. Squirrell presently serves as the Executive Director and Chief Attorney of the Putnam County Legal Aid Society. He has a litigation background, having had stints both as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan and in private practice.

Elena M. Goldberg-Velazquez

Ms. Goldberg-Velazquez is a Yonkers City Court Judge and has worked in the First Department of the Appellate Division. Prior to working in the court system, she worked for nearly a decade at private law firms dealing with civil matters.

David S. Zuckerman

Judge Zuckerman currently presides in the Westchester County Court and is an Acting Supreme Court Justice. Prior to becoming a judge, he was an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx and the Town Prosecutor and Town Justice in the Town of New Castle.

County Court Candidate

Maurice D. Williams

Mr. Williams has extensive experience representing clients in criminal matters, in both the county and family courts. He has been a member of the 18B panel (assigned counsel in criminal cases) and several advisory panels to the courts. He has been an advocate for children and youth and a mentor to young people who feel trapped in the criminal justice system. He also has a call in radio show where he answers questions about criminal law.

Vote “Yes” on the Environmental Bond Act of 2022—Proposal 1

This ballot proposal will empower the state to fund environmental infrastructure projects, including those that mitigate the effects of climate change. For example, our County has suffered from devastating floods, like those experienced during Hurricane Ida. These projects should also create jobs.

Mark Lewis
B. Kathleen Munguia
Delegates to the 9th Judicial District Democratic Convention