To the editor:

When my family moved to Pelham Manor four years ago, we thought we settled in a slice of Westchester heaven. In many ways, we have. We’ve met kind, creative and fascinating neighbors. We’re very grateful for our schools, our local sports, dinner parties, Novel Nights, the library, the Scouts, the margaritas at Cantina Lobos and of course an easy commute to the greatest city in the world. We’ve got our gripes, like we all do: The commercial development along Boston Post Road feels pretty shoddy, for example; but hey, all in all, it’s great to live in Pelham Manor.

One of my favorite aspects of Pelham is how diverse we are in our political beliefs. Frankly, I didn’t expect this kind of diversity so close to New York City, but, oh boy, do we have it, from MAGA-lovers to Squad-supporters—and a whole lot of us in the middle. We’re an amazing group of individuals that defies so many stereotypes.

Now of course Facebook takes these differences and twists them into nasty fights, but I know I’ve become sharper and smarter through conversations with neighbors who have different perspectives. I put up a lawn sign supporting a candidate. My neighbor puts one up supporting her opponent. I don’t think this is silly. I think it’s wonderful!

And yet, despite all of this rich political diversity, our village government has been a one-note wonder for years. In fact, for the past decade, every single member of the Village of Pelham Manor Board of Trustees has come from the very same political party.

Isn’t that weird? It’s like an old-time political machine.

Now, I’m not alleging any funny business. All of these folks were elected fair and square—and I’m grateful for their service. But now, as we face some serious challenges, I’m sure some fresh ideas would go a long way.

Next week, we have an opportunity to elect two new trustees, and I’m going to cast my vote for Kate Pringle and Mark Caldwell because I believe it’s high-time our local government has new voices that represent the diverse opinions of our community. The “conservative” in me believes in the virtues of “divided” government. Let’s embrace some healthy debate!

And Pringle and Caldwell aren’t just any old fresh voices. Pringle’s the most kick-ass lawyer for miles, and Cardwell is a grade-A firefighter who knows firsthand what it means to put community above politics. These are smart and determined people who sweat to get things done. They’re the best kind of community servants: joyful and collaborative, the kind who are in it for others, not for themselves.

And in this campaign, Pringle and Caldwell are asking fantastic questions: How can we improve our parks and green spaces? How can we add some charm to our commercial development? How can we make our streets even safer for our kids—and make sure our fire trucks and emergency services are ready when we need them? Can we spend our tax dollars more carefully? And yes, maybe most urgently, how can we end this damn flooding tragedy with real, long-term solutions, not just band-aid fixes?

Pringle and Cardwell are not running to defend their records or protect the sacred status quo. They’re running because they believe our great village might be a little great-er still.

The incumbents who are running for yet another term certainly deserve a lot of thanks for the work they’ve done. There’s no reason for any of us to vote “against” either of them. In fact, I don’t dispute their campaign platform at all: Things have been fine… I guess I just think we can raise our bar a little bit higher. Do any of us really believe that Pelham Manor is as good as it can get?

So, I’m appealing to my neighbors who have voted for the local Republicans again and again and again: In the interest of better government, why not switch things up a bit this time? The Republicans will still have the mayor and the majority. The Republicans will still have appointed the village manager, the fire chief and the police chief. No sky will fall. Hunter Biden won’t open an art gallery at Four Corners. The Republicans will still be able to pass any policies they want—but maybe, just maybe, those policies will be better with some fresh voices around the table. Maybe, deep down, the Republican trustees might even appreciate those fresh voices at the table.

Michael Fanuele

616 Francis St.