To the Editor:

I’m writing this letter because I care deeply about this community — and about keeping Pelham Manor the kind of place my family and I chose to call home.

When we moved here in 2014, it was because Pelham reflected the values that mattered most to us: safety, connection, and a strong sense of community. It’s where we’ve raised our now 14-year-old son, and where my 33-year-old son has chosen to move with his wife to raise their newborn son. That generational choice says a lot about what this town offers — and about the kind of leadership that has helped it thrive.

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate how much steady, capable leadership it takes to keep a village like ours running well. From public safety and infrastructure to financial management, the details matter. When local government works, it’s often quiet and efficient — but it touches every part of daily life.

Mayor Jennifer Lapey, Trustee Tim Case, and Trustee DJ McLaughlin have provided steady, transparent, and results-driven leadership. They’ve kept Pelham Manor debt-free and tax-cap compliant while improving everyday life here — from safer streets and upgraded fire protection to expanded recycling and ongoing work on water mitigation.

Promises are easy to make. Results are harder to come by. This team has shown they can deliver — with professionalism, accountability, and genuine care for the residents they serve.

As neighbors, I hope we’ll all take a moment before we cast our votes to really look at what matters most for our community’s future. Learn about the work that’s been done, ask questions, and think about the kind of leadership that keeps our town strong, stable, and well run. Jennifer Lapey, Tim Case, and DJ McLaughlin have already proven themselves through their actions and results — and that’s the best measure of leadership.

And as we move through this election season, I hope we can all remember that Pelham Manor is a small town — and our shared respect for one another matters. Healthy debate strengthens us; division does not. What unites us will always be greater than what divides us.

Connie Carmody

180 Jackson Avenue