New Political Party Formed in North Castle
Hoping to halt the nasty bickering that has pervaded North Castle politics, a coalition of town residents with varied political affiliations has formed a new party to wage an issues oriented campaign this fall.
Alliance North Castle announced on June 16 its endorsement of candidates from the Democrats and Republicans who recently declared their candidacies. It also plans to launch a petition drive to have the party appear on the November ballot.
Former Democratic Supervisor Reese Berman, a member of Alliance North Castle’s executive board, said the party is an outgrowth of the persistent and unproductive fighting among town board members during the past year and a half. It is supporting the best candidates with the strongest ideas who are willing to work together, however, it will not require a litmus test to see where its nominees stand on particular issues, she said.
“I think that we’ve been watching what has been happening with town governance and we believe a change is needed,” Berman said. “I think the addition of the party will bring practical decision making to North Castle.”
At the same it announced its formation, Alliance North Castle revealed its support for Republican Supervisor William Weaver, Democratic Councilman Michael Schiliro and Republican Stephen D’Angelo, who recently joined the race for town board, and Town Clerk Anne Curran, a Democrat. There was no endorsement for town justice.
Its co-chairs are former Town Clerk Ann Leber, a Democrat, Housing Board Chairwoman Barbara DiGiacinto, a Republican and Conservative Party Chairman Vincent Masi. Berman said the remainder of the party’s executive board includes Republican Neal Baumann, Conservative Bill McClure and Democrats Naomi and Gene Matusow. In the future, organizers may add one or two Independence Party members and politically unaffiliated residents to have an even wider cross section of interests represented, Berman said.
In supporting its four candidates this year, Alliance North Castle issued a statement to explain that Weaver, Schiliro, D’Angelo and Curran are “best suited to lead North Castle during these difficult times into a fiscally-responsible, service-oriented and transparent town government. The Alliance Party is going to mobilize voters to support this non-partisan ticket and restore collegial, cooperative and productive government to North Castle.”
In future election cycles, the party could continue to endorse Republicans and Democrats unless the executive board finds it necessary to run their own candidates, Berman said.
Baumann said Alliance North Castle members have put aside their political differences, in some cases quite divergent, especially on national and state issues, to put the town’s future first.
“I’ve grown increasingly concerned with the divisiveness on the board, especially certain board members, and I felt the town needed to bring Democrats, Republicans, conservatives and liberals together for the good of the town to work together to independently endorse people we feel will be good for the town,” Baumann said.
D’Angelo, the most recent entry to the town board race, said he would not have become involved in the campaign if there hadn’t been a growing effort to make town politics more civil. He said local elected officials should address issues and work for their constituents, not party politics.
“We can meet everybody’s needs and still be friendly at the same time,” D’Angelo said. “The animosity shouldn’t be there.”
However, two of this year’s candidates who were not endorsed by the new party were skeptical. Republican Howard Arden, who is challenging Weaver in a primary for supervisor in September, bluntly said Alliance North Castle consists mainly of members of the town’s political establishment who are banding together to retain power while calling it bipartisanship. Arden predicted that the party may not last long.
“They’re out there trying to maintain the status quo. This is all this is,” Arden said. “It’s an election year party. It’s a political ploy, there’s no question. Their people have done nothing for almost two years and that why this town’s such a mess.”
Democrat Christopher Carthy said he has already stressed cooperation and questioned whether another political party is necessary. Instead, candidates should focus on issues, not more politics, he said.
“I think this effort is reflective of my candidacy,” Carthy said. “I’m trying to build cooperation to assist the Town of North Castle.”
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/