To the editor:

In this November’s election, I endorse Dan McLaughlin Sr., Clive Anderson, John De Chiaro, and John Hynes.

Regina and I have been residents of Pelham for 47 years. We have raised our four children in Pelham.

Clive Anderson has demonstrated his dedication to Pelham by serving on various community boards. He is an experienced business person and our town board needs business experience to better serve us in a cost-effective manner. As the owner of the Pelham Funeral Home and in his role as a funeral director, he exemplifies caring, respect and compassion, helping people navigate the most challenging times in their lives.

John Hynes is running for Westchester County legislator, which could mean for the first time Pelham will have county legislative representation. With a career spanning nearly three decades in the Pelham police force, including a promotion to detective, he also dedicated himself to serving the community as a youth and DARE officer and in many other community programs. We need real representation at the county level. Hynes is Mr. Community.

John De Chiaro has the best experience, qualifications and credentials to again serve as Town of Pelham justice. John has 46 years as a practicing attorney and eight as a Town of Pelham justice.

Significantly, John De Chiaro is a veteran criminal defense attorney. Town justices conduct criminal trials and can sentence convicted defendants to up to a year’s imprisonment for misdemeanors. A town justice versed in representing criminal defendants enhances justice in Pelham and the reputation of Pelham.

The stakes for making errors are much higher in criminal proceedings. A person’s liberty is at stake, and if an error is made and a conviction reversed on appeal, the costs of pursuing justice further can be significant. Given the nature of the town court’s docket with both civil and criminal cases, both town justices should have real criminal law experience, and not from learning it on the job.

A retired court clerk who served under both De Chiaro and his opponent and lived with the operation of our court provided cogent facts and experiences as the basis for her unequivocal endorsement of John De Chiaro.

I urge you to vote for these exceptional individuals on Tuesday, making Pelham an even better place to live.

Chris Gallagher

153 Cliff Ave.