While we had hoped to host a second TASHRIA forum this month for the Tarrytown Mayoral and Trustee candidates, scheduling issues prevented it from happening.

Instead, we submitted four questions to each candidate during the final week of the campaign – asking them to address the issues that TASHRIA has worked on and advocated for over the last year. We have thus far received responses from the four candidates running on both the Democratic and Tarrytown United party lines – Karen Brown (Mayor), David Kim (Trustee), Becky McGovern (Trustee) and Effie Phillips-Staley (Trustee).

Here are the questions and responses. After reading these, we encourage all members to participate in our TASHRIA endorsement vote by recording your preferences here. The endorsement vote will close at 9 PM on Friday evening, October 29th.

1. Following a series of divisive incidents within the village, a group of Tarrytown residents submitted a petition to the Board of Trustees to establish a Human Rights Commission, as they are empowered to do so under New York State law, in order to advise the Board on equity, diversity and discrimination issues; investigate complaints of harassment and discrimination and forward them to appropriate authorities; educate residents and celebrate the diversity within the village. Do you support or oppose the creation of a Human Rights Commission or Advisory Committee? Why or why not?
   
   Karen Brown (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   During Police Reform, it became apparent that there is a need and desire to address issues of social justice, inclusion and diversity here in Tarrytown. Greenburgh has an active and accomplished Human Rights Commission that encompasses Tarrytown that investigates hate crimes and issues of discrimination. With resources limited, I would hope not to duplicate efforts but I would reach out to them to find ways to work together more closely. I support the creation of a body that would educate residents and celebrate the diversity within the village, and offer supportive services to our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ resident and could act as an advocate for them in the Village.
   
   David Kim (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   I support the creation of an advisory body that will proactively promote the values of fairness and welcoming as well as one that our community can confide in.
   
   Becky McGovern (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   If there is one thing I have learned over the past 2 years it is that our residents want to be heard and allowed to interface with Village officials and staff. I would support any village group that wanted to work with the Village to ensure that the rights of every resident are protected.
   
   Effie Phillips-Staley (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   I support the creation of a human rights commission or advisory committee because respect for universal human rights should be at the core of all government policy.
   
   
2. The TASHRIA Justice Committee, composed of members of the village’s Police Reform and Reinvention Committee, submitted five reform recommendations to the Board of Trustees early this year. The Board endorsed three of our committee’s five recommendations, but notably rejected the establishment of a Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to review citizen complaints against police officers. Do you support or oppose civilian oversight of the police department? Why or why not?  
   
   Karen Brown (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   I am in favor of efforts and programs that help residents and law enforcement work in harmony.  In municipal and law enforcement circles, CCRBs are viewed as punitive and created for forces with a history of severe and pervasive violent abuses. Police Reform did bring to light the need and desire to address issues of social justice, inclusion, and diversity in Tarrytown.  However, it did not reveal a history of abuses.  Tarrytown Police Department serves the people of Tarrytown honorably everyday.  They participated fully and enthusiastically in our police reform report and as a result, instituted new training protocols, efforts to make the force more diverse, and innovative public outreach programs. There are procedures to report complaints to the police without having to go to the police station. I support the creation of a body that could offer information and support in navigating those procedures. 
   
   David Kim (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   Civilian oversight is the responsibility of the Mayor & BOT, duly elected members of our relatively small community, and do not support a creation of a separate Review Board duplicating and supplanting their responsibilities.
   
   Becky McGovern (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   To be honest, this is a very difficult question. I would support any effort made to help our police and civilians better communicate. At present the Tarrytown Police Department does have a procedure that gives residents an avenue to report any issue/complaint they have with the police department (and they have the choice to file the complaint anonymously). The Board of Trustees oversees the review and disposition of the complaints which I believe is the proper authority given that the Board s elected by the residents and is held accountable election to election. A CCRB may be valuable for assisting in the review and even giving recommendations – but the final decision on any matter should rest with the elected Board of Trustees.
   
   Effie Phillips-Staley (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   Police departments are civilian forces in service of the public, so I believe that civilian oversight should be a standard part of the process. Such an oversight board should also benefit all involved – our community and its police force — by creating an impartial process for fair accountability that builds trust, improves communication, strengthens community relations, and enhances law enforcement’s capacity for effective community policing.
   
3. The village has seen its share of hateful and divisive actions over the past year directed at BIPOC and LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. What can the village administration do to address these incidents – and ensure that all residents feel welcome, comfortable and equally protected in Tarrytown?
   
   Karen Brown (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   I am very concerned about these incidents and want to foster a more inclusive Tarrytown, where BIPOC and LGBTQ+ residents and visitors feel comfortable, welcome, and equally protected.  As mayor I would seek to continue discussions with residents and groups like yours, to work at addressing these issues.
   
   David Kim (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   We should not and cannot wait for incidents before we react. I believe we need to continually remind ourselves of the values of fairness and welcoming for all so that compassion and empathy are the hallmark of our actions individually and corporately.
   
   Becky McGovern (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   Feeling safe is a basic human need and right. Any incident that makes someone feel unsafe or unwelcomed should be addressed. I feel it is important that we continue discussions with groups like yours and offer continuing education and training to our Board and staff. Any incident that that makes a person feel unsafe is unacceptable.
   
   Effie Phillips-Staley (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   Earlier in October our county executive George Latimer expanded Westchester’s anti-discriminatory harassment laws. I’m particularly grateful for this because it empowers residents to report illegal mistreatment in spaces like buses and parks, while also empowering law enforcement to protect people from these attacks. I believe the village should educate residents of the change in the law so we understand our rights, and support law enforcement with any training or resources that might be needed to enforce this new anti-discrimination law.
   
4. Development within the village has become a hot button issue in the Mayor and Trustee campaigns. Members of our Housing Committee have long recognized that the lack of affordable housing within the village and elsewhere in Westchester represents a major challenge to diversity and equity here. What can the Board of Trustees and Mayor do to ensure housing equity through more affordable housing options for residents? 
   
   Karen Brown (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   Given the frequent rhetoric and misinformation about development in Tarrytown, I appreciate that TASHRIA brings a different view to these discussions. The Board has created an Affordable Housing Committee, on which I sit.  Out of this committee came the creation of a fund by a non-profit organizationto help Tarrytowners whose ability to pay their rent was affected during Covid.  We are looking at ways foster first time home-ownership, long-term ability to remain in one’s own home, and housing access generally.
   
   David Kim (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   In addition to ensuring our current affordable housing stock remains accessible into the future, we need to expand the options that address the needs of seniors with fixed incomes and young adults starting out so that they can choose to stay near family and age-in-place.
   
   Becky McGovern (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   The Tarrytown Board and CPMC have set up an Affordable Housing Committee and I am a sitting member. The establishment of this committee has put affordable housing needs and issues on the forefront of the Village’s agenda. At present we require all developers to include a dedicated number of affordable housing units in their plans. This number can and should be increased. 
   
   Effie Phillips-Staley (Democratic/Tarrytown United)
   First, we must emphasize that it is possible to increase affordable housing stock in Tarrytown without exasperating traffic, changing the character of our village, or blocking the river. We must also recognize the diversity of those who would benefit from affordable housing. Seniors are a very important part of this, as are young or single adults and families, not to mention teachers, firefighters, and other public servants. I believe the percentage of affordable housing required within new developments should be higher than the current 10%. I also believe that the village could partner more with nonprofit organizations whose missions are to develop affordable housing. I live on a street with this type of housing, which is appropriately scaled and home to the most wonderful neighbors – many of whom have lived in Tarrytown all their lives and will continue to do so because of reasonably priced housing. We owe it to our residents to help make affordable housing more available.