Candidates for Mayor and Council

Mayor

peekskill, city, New York, democrats, democratic

Mary F. Foster

Mary F. Foster was elected mayor in 2007 and was overwhelmingly reelected for a second term in 2009. She has championed sustainable commercial and residential development to support the vision of Peekskill as a premier cultural and economic magnet for the region. A highly capable and dedicated public official, Mayor Foster has jump started downtown redevelopment, is repairing our aging infrastructure, put more police on the streets, aggressively attacked litter and kept property taxes flat— a major feat in this challenging financial time. She has given the city 100% effort.

Currently an Executive Director at Grant Thornton, LLP, Mary is a retired partner from Deloitte & Touche. She is on the Executive Committee of the Westchester Municipal Officers Association and is a Board Officer of the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium. Mary is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a former chair of the NYS Society of CPA’s and the AICPA’s technical committees for nonprofit organizations, former board president and current board member of the Mental Health Assn. of Westchester, former Vice President of Peekskill Middle School PTO (2002-04), former chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Southern NY and current board member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of NYC/Southern NY. She is a communicant of the Holy Spirit parish and lives in Peekskill with her husband, Don, and their two adult children.

Common Council

Kathleen E. Talbot

Kathleen E. Talbot brings managerial and strong interpersonal and communication skills to the challenges faced by Peekskill. A life-long resident of Peekskill, her father, Bill Smith, also grew up on Highland Ave. She graduated from Assumption School and Mary Immaculate H.S. Following a 25-year award-winning career in graphic design, she returned to Fordham University where she received a Master of Social Work degree in 2005. She holds a NYS clinical license. She was Director of the Women’s Center at VIP Community Service in the Bronx providing clinical services to women and served a mental health internship at NY Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains.

Kathie is a founding member of the Peekskill Education Foundation and has served on numerous community and professional boards including the Paramount Center for the Arts, Women in Communication Inc. and Women in Management. Professional memberships include the National Association of Social Workers and the NYS Society of Clinical Social Workers. She was elected to the NYS Democratic Committee in 1974 and served two terms. Kathie is a homeowner living in the Fort Hill section of Peekskill and has one son, Bryan, who is married with two children.

Darren Rigger

Darren Rigger, a graduate of Georgetown University, is a small business owner and fundraising consultant. He was the host of a cable show called ‘On Point, On Peekskill’.In 2006, Darren was the first Latino to run for federal office in the Hudson Valley and was one of the first staff members for Congressman John Hall.

He is a Mayoral appointee to the Westchester County Environmental Management Council. Having a Bachelor of Science degree in Diplomacy, Darren was chosen by the American Council of Young Political Leaders to participate in a State Department delegation to South Korea in 2009.

He serves on the NYS Democratic committee, is the former Chairman of the Peekskill Democratic Party and is the recipient of the County Party’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award.

Darren is a volunteer Legislative Ambassador for the American Cancer Society, a Relay for Life Team Captain and a volunteer at Fred’s Food Pantry. After having lived in Chapel Hill, he and his wife are now proud home owners in Peekskill.

Donald Bennett, Peekskill Democrat, Common Council, 2011 Election

Donald F. Bennett

Donald F. Bennett was first elected to the Council in 2003 and is serving his second four-year term in that office. He was appointed Deputy Mayor in 2008. His work on the Council has made our city responsive to our seniors, youth, and veterans. Through his vast community connections – his job at Pamal Broadcasting and memberships in Rotary and the HVG Chamber of Commerce – Don has been able to address citizens’ concerns early on, before they become issues. On the Council, Deputy Mayor Bennett urges intelligent city planning and growth, with an emphasis on providing commercial recreational opportunities for our city’s youth and families. He works with City Staff to seek out economic opportunities for the city.

Don’s commitment to the community is demonstrated by his numerous community affiliations. In addition to membership in the Rotary and Chamber of Commerce, Don served as Board President of the Friends of Hudson Valley Mental Health, an advocate for the Peekskill Youth Bureau and a member of the Peekskill City School District’s Citizens Committee for Long-term Financial Planning

Westchester County Legislature

Michael Kane, Peekskill Democrat, County Legislature, 2011 elections

Michael J. Kane

Westchester County Legislator – District 1

Michael J. Kane brings a lifetime of experience in leadership and working with others to represent the people of Cortlandt, Peekskill and Yorktown in the County Legislature. Mike is an active community member serving on the board of the KEON Center (CARE, Inc), former associate member of the Cortlandt Hook and Ladder and current Chair of the Peekskill Democratic City Committee.

Mike is a shop steward for the Communications Workers of America (CWA) 1150 where he represents fellow workers in all aspects of the workplace, contracts, equal rights and treatment of employees. Mike’s commitment to his fellow workers runs deep: he was previously the Vice President of CWA Local 1153. Mike is employed as a Network Technical Specialist by AT&T.

Mike’s interest and activities have been countywide for years: He served on the Westchester County Democratic Labor Committee. Mike has lived in Peekskill for 14 years. His daughter, Brianne, attended Peekskill schools from (K-12) and is now attending college with the dream of becoming a writer. Mike is a former member of the PTO.

Learn more about Michael Kane

Catherine Borgia

Westchester County Legislator – District 9

Catherine Borgia has served as the Town Supervisor of Ossining since 2009. In that time, she has engineered a financial turnaround of the Town by reducing expenses, increasing the “rainy day” fund balance, and using innovative management practices to restore the Town to financial health in the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. She has increased government transparency and increased community participation in several new committees including the Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee and the Green Ossining Committee.

Prior to becoming Town Supervisor, Catherine worked for seven years as chief of staff to NYS Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, and served four years on the Ossining Village Board. A long-time community volunteer, Catherine co-founded the Ossining Microfund, serves on the boards of the Rotary Club and Westchester County Youth Board, and is a member of the Junior League of Northern Westchester and Ossining Communities That Care. Prior leadership roles have included the PTA, Girl Scouts, and the United Way of Westchester/Putnam. She has an MBA from NYU-Stern School of Business and a BA from Binghamton University (SUNY). She lives in Ossining with her husband, Craig Johl, their two daughters, and one rambunctious dog.

Learn more about Catherine Boriga

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