Arden Defeats Weaver in North Castle Supervisor’s Race
Challenger Howard Arden resoundingly defeated North Castle Supervisor William Weaver Tuesday night, ending the incumbent’s administration after one term.
With 63 percent of the votes counted, Arden was leading 1,562 to 983. Weaver conceded shortly before 10:30 p.m.
In the town board race, Democratic incumbent Michael Schiliro and Republican Stephen D’Angelo outlasted Republican newcomer Matt Rice and Democrat Christopher Carthy. Schiliro was leading with 1,291 votes followed by D’Angelo’s 1,157, according to the Board of Elections. Rice was running a very strong third, collecting 1,096 votes while Carthy picked up 906.
Although appearing on separate major party lines, Schiliro and D’Angelo ran with Weaver on the newly created Alliance Party, a fusion of Republicans, Democrats and independents who banded together to try and prevent Arden’s wing of the Republican Party from seizing control of the town board.
As he was coasting to victory, Arden said that he felt a groundswell of support in the campaign’s final days, as voters became weary of the divisive tactics that had been employed by the Alliance Party. They also wanted to see more professional management in town, he said.
“The town is not being run efficiently and professionally and people sensed that,” Arden said. “They also sensed that there are major improvements that need to be made and they embraced my concepts, they embraced my ideas.”
The general election victory marked the second time Arden defeated Weaver head to head this season. He nipped Weaver by 17 votes in the Republican Party but it wasn’t close on Tuesday night. In the moments after his defeat became apparent, Weaver was at a loss to explain the results and said he respected the will of the voters.
“The people voted, that’s the way they decided and if they think someone (else) can do a better job that’s okay,” he said.
Arden said he was pleased that along with council members Diane Roth and John Cronin, who had been repeatedly outvoted on key issues on the split board during the past two years, that positive changes can be made for North Castle despite there still being divided allegiances.
“I’m a person that can work with anybody,” Arden said. “I’m a very easy going guy and we’ll be meeting more often together before we come forward and we’ll make sure that all the members of the board are well informed before we step up there and face the public.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/