Hanauer Seeks Fifth Term in Ossining Mayor Race vs Gearity
Two colleagues on the Ossining Village Board are squaring off for the mayor seat on November 4.
Incumbent Mayor William Hanauer, who has led the village since 2007, is seeking a fifth term running only on the Working Families line after losing in a Democratic primary to Trustee Victoria Gearity, who is in her second year on the board and is also running on the Independence line.
Hanauer, who is president of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association and founding member of the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium, had a 40-year career in the entertainment industry, including producing the New York Emmy Awards for five years, prior to entering politics in Ossining in 2005 as a trustee.
“If people look at the downtown and they want that to continue they should vote for me,” Hanauer said. “People have to consider what they want in terms of arts, open space, neighborhoods. We must continue to spread the tax base and develop what we feel won’t put a strain on schools and services.”
Gearity, who has two young children in the Ossining School District, is co-founder of the Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series and formerly owned and operated a small business called Birthing From Within Westchester, which helped first-time parents prepare for childbirth. She also worked as a math teacher in a private school.
“I’m a leader who believes deeply in the collaborative process,” Gearity said. “I am a leader who respects the opinion of others. I couldn’t be a mayor in a community that doesn’t care so much. A great leader recognizes great ideas from others. I’m a leader that recognizes there are 26,000 people in this community.”
Under his leadership, Hanauer said the village has been able to keep taxes down by championing the construction of more than 500 housing units, such as Avalon and Harbor Square, and 13,000 square feet of new commercial space. He also favors the establishment of a Business Improvement District.
“We already have a basis for what we need there (downtown). We can’t wait because interest rates will go up and interest of developers will go down,” Hanauer remarked.
Before running for mayor, Gearity said she conducted a survey that revealed the top three issues in the village are downtown economic development, taxes and illegal housing.
“The arts can be a great driver for economic development. It’s not just a matter of distributing more tax dollars,” she said. “Businesses are starting to open because they’re excited about the future of Ossining.”
Both candidates are excited about the Sing Sing Museum attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Ossining. Hanauer played an integral role in its development as chairman of a committee and said the village needs more parking to accommodate visitors.
“Sing Sing Museum could be a game changer for Ossining,” Gearity said. “This museum is so magnificent and the question is how do we connect it to our downtown?”
Gearity has complained that during her almost two years in office information has not been shared equally among the board by Hanauer. She also vowed to televise the second hearing of citizens if elected, something that has not taken place since 2007.
“My style is to have an open process so I can involve more voices and I can understand more perspectives,” she said.
Hanauer said the entire board has supported not televising the second public comment period, including Gearity, who he also mentioned has not introduced any resolution to change the current rules.
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