Incumbent Councilmen Square Off Against Newcomer Dems
Election 2019: Yorktown Town Board
The race for two available seats on the Yorktown Town Board pits incumbent Republican councilmen Tom Diana and Ed Lachterman against a pair of political newcomers on the Democratic ticket, Sheralyn Goodman and Patricia Sullivan-Rothberg.
Each seat carries a four-year term and an annual stipend of $19,820.
Tom Diana
Diana is a lifelong, third generation town resident and a retired police officer, having worked for Yorktown, Cortlandt and Westchester County. He owns an oil delivery and service business. He was first elected to the Town Board in March 2015 in a special election to fill a vacancy, and then was elected to a full term eight months later.
“The reason I am seeking reelection is that I want to continue to assist the residents of the town,” Diana stated. “Some of my top priorities are and will continue to be infrastructure, quality of life, our seniors and veterans. Keeping our taxes at bay and working with all our departments to make sure they have all the tools they need to give our residents the services they have come to expect and deserve.”
“A few of the things I am most proud of are starting Yorktown Against Heroin which I hope educated folks enough to identify the signs of addiction and hopefully steer our kids away,” he continued. “Another was getting the hole filled at the Roma Building and making the entrance to our town a little more attractive. Last but not least was revitalization of the K9 program at Yorktown PD with the purchase of Dallas, our drug detection dog with money raised by Yorktown Against Heroin. I would like to thank the folks that elected me and have given me the opportunity to do the things I have done.”
Sheralyn Goodman
Goodman is a 25-year resident of Yorktown, a lawyer, a former Assistant District Attorney in Kings County and former deputy commissioner in the Westchester County Department of Probation.
“I have a track record of getting the job done—whether it’s as a lawyer fighting for what’s right, a working mother, a union organizer, or a law enforcement official. I want to bring that know-how to our Town government to make Yorktown even better,” Goodman stated.
“My vision is to promote and share the beauty of Yorktown and make it a place people come to explore. I will work to streamline processes so that small businesses can grow here. I will fight to keep taxes flat so young families can afford to move here and seniors can afford to stay,” she continued. “The natural beauty and sense of community brought my family and me to Yorktown 25 years ago. I’m running for Town Council to make sure that more families visit and explore Yorktown, move to Yorktown and stay in Yorktown.”
Patricia Sullivan-Rothberg
Sullivan-Rothberg is a 15-year Yorktown resident who has worked 25 years in documentary film and television production/distribution. She noted she is “dedicated to environmental stewardship.”
“Since moving to Yorktown 15 years ago, I have immersed myself in town activities through the PTA, Boy Scouts, and as an advocate for arts in education. It’s the natural next step for me to be of service to Yorktown as a member of the Town Council,” Sullivan-Rothberg stated.
“Building community is what I do, it’s what I love, and it’s in my DNA. Yorktown has so many assets—historic sites, beautiful parks and trails, excellent schools—and a wealth of talent right here within the community. I want to build on those assets and work together to help Supervisor Gilbert implement his new economic plan,” she continued. “I envision a vibrant town that embraces green initiatives, has thriving businesses, and is an attractive place to raise families and stay for retirement. As an active resident and young parent, I believe that adding my insights will only broaden the knowledge and outlook of the board.”
Ed Lachterman
Lachterman is a small business owner with a 38-year career in the hospitality industry. He has been an active volunteer for almost a decade with the Yorktown Lions and has lived in Yorktown almost 30 years. He is also a founding member and officer in the Yorktown Sons of the American Legion and Yorktown Against Heroin. He is seeking a second four-year term.
“I hope to remain on the Council so that I can continue to work for the people of Yorktown. Yorktown is a great community and needs leadership that understands the needs of the town and our citizens. My life experiences are very diverse, and I feel that my point of view offers our town a proven leader that understands the issues we face as a town,” he stated.
“I am most proud of being able to start Yorktown’s very own Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony. Being able to have Survivors share their stories with us is the first step in defeating hate,” he continued. “I am also very proud of the 485 B Tax Exemption that works with landlords trying to upgrade their existing properties to help grow Yorktown’s commercial tax base. If I were to pick a third, I would say my work as the Senior Advisory Board Liaison and my work with the Veterans at the Country House not only make me proud, but is personally rewarding as well.”
“My top priority has always been to keep Yorktown affordable and to do this with a balance of Progress and Preservation, as it says on our town seal. We have a great family community that has some unbelievable age diversity. Without proper vision to guide us in business opportunities, while keeping a firm stance on not changing the character of our community, all of this will disappear,” he added.
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