Becker, Mulcahy, Pappas Solid Choices in Cortlandt
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
The Town of Cortlandt seemingly hasn’t missed a beat since Linda Puglisi decided to call it a career two years ago following a remarkable three-decade run, thanks to the leadership of Supervisor Dr. Richard Becker, who was handed the baton by voters and effortlessly moved the town forward.
There have been some tough decisions that Becker has had to make, such as voting with his colleagues to rezone land near NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital to a Medical Oriented District (MOD), which remains a sore point for some residents in the area as one of the two large projects being proposed is already going through the planning process.
It is also somewhat puzzling how Becker and other Cortlandt officials apparently had no idea radioactive wastewater from Indian Point has been dumped in the Hudson River for 60 years, when apparently it was common knowledge to many longtime town followers.
Regardless, there have been few missteps under Becker’s administration, which makes his re-election bid a solid recommendation.
That’s not to take away anything from his more-than-capable challenger Warren Smith of Verplanck, who is trying for his third time in three years to get on the board.
Smith has the background to be an effective leader, but lacks the governmental knowledge that Becker has obtained during his 16 years as an elected official in Cortlandt. Smith was on more equal footing last year when he came up short against Councilman Robert Mayes to fill the remainder of Becker’s unexpired board term.
Speaking of Mayes, with Councilman Frank Farrell leaving after a distinguished 28 years of service on the board, he is the lone incumbent in the four-candidate race for two available seats. But that doesn’t mean he should be a shoo-in.
In fact, voters in Cortlandt should pay close attention to Smith’s running mates, Ryan Mulcahy and George Pappas, who offer a lot of promise and potential as first-time candidates. They are both running with fresh ideas and perspectives and would give the board a political mixture and makeup that it hasn’t had in 30 years.
Mayes has essentially gone with the flow while on the board. Meanwhile, Joyce White, another newcomer throwing her hat into the political ring, has good intentions, but Mulcahy and Pappas seem better equipped to upset the Democratic apple cart.
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