To the editor:

I am writing to offer my support to Breda Bennett in her upcoming reelection race for Village of Pelham Manor trustee.

I first met Bennett more than 20 years ago at Richie Bell Field. I was coaching a Little League team. It was opening day, so it was cold, kids running around, etc. She was a commissioner on the Little League board and, with newborn in tow, stopped by the field to make sure that we were all set, we had all of the equipment, uniforms, etc., that we needed and that everything was okay. She then continued to the other fields with her weeks old son, making sure that the other kids, coaches and parents were also all okay.

Although I didn’t know it at the time, Bennett walking the fields with her newborn to make sure that everyone else was doing fine was, and is, emblematic of her and what she’s all about. Bennett cares deeply about people and about our town and village. She does not care about accolades or recognition and is only concerned with making Pelham a better place for everyone. Because of this, I wholeheartedly support Bennett for reelection as village trustee and hope that you will as well.

By way of background, prior to serving as trustee, Bennett was a long-time commissioner on the town recreation commission. During that period, Bennett was instrumental in helping Pelham Rugby, a program that I co-founded, get its start. Bennett’s unwavering support and commitment to the rugby program were key factors in its early growth and later success.

She also started the recreational basketball league while on the recreation commission—a program which my sons and countless other children enjoy. In this same vein (and fittingly as Pelham’s number one booster), Bennett also served as co-president of the Pelham Booster Club.

Turning to our village and to the upcoming election, I don’t think you could pick a better candidate than Bennett. Since coming on the village board in 2018, she has devoted countless hours to the issues faced by our village. She has worked collaboratively with the town on the EMS program, is deeply involved in the flood and water issues and has put public safety at the very top of her priority list. When a neighbor calls or needs help, Bennett doesn’t think twice. She just shows up and gets the job done. Notably, through her direct intervention, we received two new stop signs on our street and two more on Monroe Street that we are grateful for.

In all of her roles, Bennett brings intelligence, grace and a fierce tenacity to do the best that she can for our village and town. She is a gem. We are incredibly lucky to have her in this role, and I hope that you along with me (a life-long Democrat) will support Breda Bennett in her race for reelection as village trustee.

Tom Kleinberger

1061 Hunter Ave.