Mayes is a Steady Hand to Help Continue Guiding Cortlandt Forward
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It’s political silly season again, where the only thing that outnumbers fallen leaves on the ground are candidate lawn signs, and most of the commercials we fast-forward through on our DVRs are candidate attack ads.
The good news is it will all be over soon, and since the McRib is back for its annual farewell tour, those mouth-watering commercials will once again dominate the airwaves.
I’m not sure about you, but I find the state of political discourse at the federal, state and even local level to be increasingly disheartening. It seems the days of civil dialogue and compromise are slipping further and further away. As Cortlandt residents, we’re fortunate to bear witness to a Town Board campaign that has defied today’s norms, and remained civil, respectful and issues-based.
On Election Day, two of our neighbors are running to replace now-Supervisor Becker’s seat on the board. His seat was vacated when he was elected supervisor, and Councilman Robert Mayes was appointed to fill the seat until the upcoming election.
I am proud to support Councilman Mayes to continue his role on the Town Board. I have known him for many years as a fellow parent at Lincoln-Titus Elementary School, a fellow Cub Scout leader, an active PTA member and as a member of the Lakeland Central School District Board of Education. Rob’s integrity is unimpeachable, and his dedication to our community is unquestionable.
During his tenure on the school board, which included the search, hiring and ultimate resignation of a superintendent, COVID school closures and other complex and emotionally-charged issues, Rob never wavered. He was the sole board member to stand up to the superintendent and fiercely advocate for the reopening of schools. His decision put him at odds with certain powers within the district, but he remained resolute in his commitment to return children, faculty and staff safely to in-person learning. Where others spoke only of the challenges, Rob, like all good leaders, sought solutions.
Do I always agree with Rob? No. I don’t always agree with anyone. But what I know about Rob is that he is always an honest broker. I have enjoyed many thoughtful discussions and debates with him. One of the qualities I find most admirable is his ability to see areas of grey when others see issues as strictly black and white. Compromise isn’t a dirty word, and Rob understands that we can work together to seek common ground without compromising our integrity and values.
At a time when politics are deeply polarizing, I appreciate knowing that our town can count on Rob to be steadfast in his commitment to find solutions not just for today, but for the future.
Rob’s experience as an assistant district attorney, his tenure on the Planning Board and his service to various community-based organizations focusing on children, mental health, housing, family services and other key issues provides him a unique perspective on things that matter to all of us. Rob’s past experiences make him the right person to help lead Cortlandt into the future.
On Nov. 8, I hope you will join me in voting for Robert Mayes.
Daniel Wright
Cortlandt Manor
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