Dec. 3, 2014:

To the Editor:

I urge everyone to vote for Brian Keating for Eastchester Fire District (EDF) commissioner on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 (2:00-9:00 pm), at Bronxville Village Hall.

The position is for a five-year term. This is an unpaid office. The EFD Board of Commissioners is charged with determining the EFD budget, which is a tax levy. The 2015 EFD budget is $17 million, which represents a reduction in total spending.

As you may recall, the NYS comptroller's office audited EFD several years ago and recommended long-overdue internal financial controls. The current board has worked tirelessly to reverse past financial practices that resulted in cost overruns to taxpayers and has worked to recoup those monies.

It is critical that we elect a commissioner to the EFD Board who will work to advance the safety and sustainability of the EFD. Brian Keating has the work experience, education, and civic devotion necessary for this volunteer position.

We hope that the current pending legislation to amend NYS law to allow the EFD election to be held with the general election in November will pass. However, as it stands, we're stuck with Tuesday, December 9, from 2:00 to 9:00 pm. 

This promises to be a close election. Bronxville voters have recognized the importance of this election in the past and have been an important voting bloc in advancing the direction of the EFD Board.

We need EFD commissioners who are free from conflict of interest, commissioners who recognize and can carry out their fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers. 

Brian Keating is a capable candidate and I urge you to vote Tuesday, December 9, at Bronxville Village Hall.

Respectfully,

Mary Neagle Smith
Avon Road, Bronxville, NY 10708

Editor's note: MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.