To the editor,

On Tuesday, March 19, there will be a village election for mayor and three trustees.

This year the community will have a choice, which is a good thing, thanks to our neighbors who are willing to run and serve.

I would first like to thank my friend, the Hon. Mike Volpe, for his years of community service as little league president, town councilman, village trustee, and lastly, as mayor. Thank you, Mike.

It is in this spirit of community service that we searched for folks willing to be candidates and serve. Willingness to be a candidate is always the first obstacle. The present political climate is troubling, to say the least. I believe that anyone willing to go into the public arena these days is courageous.

The second step, for us as voters, is judging which of those candidates are most qualified:

• Candice Ripoll, who is running for mayor, is a long-time resident. She has served the community in many significant leadership capacities—as president of two PTA organizations (Hutchinson School and the Council of PTAs), the Junior League (named sustainer of the year for continued involvement) and as a leader in several other organizations and charities.
• Steve Doka is a CPA and certified fraud and forensics investigator. He served in the New York State Attorney General’s office, the New York State Inspector General’s office and on the New York State gubernatorial Moreland Act investigative commission in the fraud unit. He is currently the head of risk management at a large international investment bank.
• Arthur Long recently invested in Pelham by purchasing and updating a historic home on Boulevard. He is a partner in a major law firm that specializes in banking, and he is a recognized expert in finance. He served as a law clerk on the U.S. Supreme Court and was an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
• LeRoy Marriott is a retired Pelham police detective whose grandparents moved to Pelham over 100 years ago. As a lifelong resident and someone who remains deeply involved in the community as a small businessman, he brings a historical perspective on why things happened in Pelham and possesses strong knowledge of, and connection to our municipal services.

The choice is yours in this very important election. Your vote will determine the direction of our community. I ask everyone to exercise the privilege we have, and in doing so to support these brave and well qualified candidates. Their credentials speak volumes and they are clearly the most qualified.

Joe Solimine Sr.

179 Secor Lane