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BEDFORD, N.Y. -- The Bedford Daily Voice accepts signed letters to the editor. Send letters to bedford@dailyvoice.com.
To the Editor:
Andrea Rendo is running for Westchester County Legislator against Peter Harckham. Harckham does not deserve your vote.
Harckham is Majority Leader of the Westchester County Legislature with a 9-8 Democrat majority. At last December's County budget vote, two Democrats from Harckham's usual majority switched to join 7 Republicans. The new nine-vote bipartisan majority passed a budget opposed by Harckham and favored by County Executive Rob Astorino.
Poor losers Harckham and his colleagues left the room, claiming the meeting didn't count. And then as the new majority legislators remained in the room to complete their job, the Harckham team turned off the lights to derail the meeting, treating them like reluctant children Harckham was trying to put to bed. Apparently, the Harckham Rule is that the game only counts if he wins.
According to The Journal News, Harckham said the new budget majority's actions "'were despicable and made a mockery of the legislative process...a 'bizarre piece of political theater.'" But who walked out and turned off the lights? Don't his words better describe his own actions?
A candidate who disregards legal budget procedures when he loses a vote does not deserve voter support. How would a parent or coach treat a youth soccer team captain who pulled a stunt like this at a game? Demotion as captain? Grounding? Memorize the rulebook? Remedial sportsmanship? Public apology? Running stadium stairs?
Westchester needs legislators who respect the rules they swear to uphold. Vote for Andrea Rendo for County Legislator on Nov. 5.
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