Yorktown GOP Committee Endorses Slate for Nov Election
With no fanfare, the Yorktown Republican Committee unanimously endorsed a slate of candidates for the November election two weeks ago.
Heading the Republican ticket is Supervisor Michael Grace, who will be seeking a third two-year term. Newly elected Councilman Tom Diana, who is finishing out the last nine months of former Councilman Nick Bianco’s unexpired term, was endorsed for a full four-year term, along with Ed Lachterman, who is president of the Yorktown Lions Club. Town Justice Gary Raniolo was also endorsed for a second four-term, as was Westchester County Legislator John Testa, who is vying for a fourth two-year term.
“Our slate represents the best Yorktown has to offer and the spirit of Yorktown, which is giving back to neighbors and strangers alike through community service,” said Serafina Mastro, chairwoman of the Yorktown GOP Committee. “The Yorktown GOP slate is committed to moving Yorktown forward by providing tax relief, high quality services and ethical, open government. That is why our candidates will again be successful in November.”
Grace, who was elected in 2011 with 38% of the votes in a three-way race, unseating Susan Siegel, is a land use attorney who has continued to practice full-time while also being a full-time supervisor. He trounced Bianco in 2013 to earn a second term.
“The Republican Party in Yorktown is successful because they recognize the need to nominate principled candidates who will stand up for the people of the town on the issues that matter,” Grace said. “We are a big tent, but there are basic things we can all agree on, like sound fiscal stewardship, the need to lower taxes, preserve open space, and get our town open for business. Our slate is committed to moving Yorktown forward.”
Diana, a retired police officer who owns a fuel oil delivery company, lost to Dave Paganelli as a Democrat for highway superintendent in 2013 and to Siegel as a Republican in 2014 to fill Paganelli’s empty seat before prevailing in March in a special election.
“It was an honor and a privilege when the voters of Yorktown put their confidence in me to serve on the town board,” Diana said. “Now I look forward to serving a full term as the voice of the people. Let’s get common sense back on the board and start addressing the quality of life issues that the Republican party is best equipped to address, like making the town more business-friendly, working with our state representatives to fix our roads, bridges and potholes, as well as combating the heroin crisis.”
Lachterman, a longtime hospitality executive, has never run for elected office but has been involved in community causes, including fundraising for pancreatic cancer research.
“The voters of Yorktown have consistently elected Republican candidates because they represent a fresh face and new ideas, and I am honored to be able to continue that tradition,” Lachterman said. “Public service is about putting your community first, which is something I am committed to from my many years of involvement in local organizations. I will bring that spirit to the board, along with my business experience.”
Raniolo said he and fellow Town Justice Sal Lagonia have eliminated the backlog of cases that resulted in long delays.
“Maintaining a timely disposition of all cases before the court gives our constituents the access to the legal system that they want, and deserve,” Raniolo said. “I am personally aware of the grave dangers that confront many of our young people, sadly some with deadly consequences. We are committed to helping reverse the trend of behavioral issues that have impacted the lives of too many families in our community.”
The Democratic Committee hasn’t met yet to endorse candidates. Siegel said last week she is still weighing her options since her seat is up for grabs.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
