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On Nov. 5, voters in Pound Ridge will elect two members to its Town Board. For the past few weeks, I have read a myriad of letters endorsing all of the candidates, all saying similar things. I have no doubt that every candidate is intelligent, successful, hardworking, and that each endorser believes that their candidate of choice “has what it takes.” I could write all the same things about Peter Avellino and they would all be true, but then this letter would blend in with the rest.
So how do we differentiate one candidate from another? Simple, ask them: “What will you do for Pound Ridge?” Most candidates will respond with a memorized one or two sentence pitch that their political committee wrote six months ago.
However, if you ask Peter Avellino that same question, he will first respond by asking you: “Tell me what is most important to you?” He then would proceed to discuss your issue in great detail and present you with a well thought out action plan specific to that issue. Nothing would be memorized, nothing broad or vague, just honest answers that are the result of 20 years of deep knowledge around town issues, through his involvement.
I have witnessed along side him his frequent participation and attendance of Conservation Board and Planning Board meetings, regular attendance of public hearings and Town Board meetings. In addition, we have both been past contributors of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, past members of the Ad hoc Housing Committee, and currently, where he is the Chair and I am a member of the Environmental Steering Committee, under the Conservation Board, charged with planning the Town’s first “Go Green Day.” Additionally, we both volunteer as active members of the Pound Ridge Office of Emergency Management. I’ve known Peter for almost 15 years now and I can say that there are not many issues relevant to our town that he is not thoroughly versed in and not passionately involved in.
The next three to five years will be pivotal for Pound Ridge. Our obligation to fulfill mandates levied by the federal government present challenges to our town environmentally as well as to our infrastructure. Meeting these challenges does not come without a cost. We are nearly four years into the process and Peter Avellino has been present and involved in the discussion with the Town Board every step of the way. Peter’s dedication to our town has been clear to all who know him long before he ever decided to run for Town Council. Regardless of the outcome on November 5th, I assure you that his dedication will not waiver.
For those of you who have already made up your minds about who you are voting for and for those of you who have yet to decide, I would ask that you reach out to each candidate. After doing so, there is no doubt in my mind that you will agree that Peter Avellino is unquestionably the most informed, most dedicated, and most qualified person for the job who will represent us well. Please join me in voting for Pete. Santo Borsellino
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