Politics & Government

Yorktown Town Board Race: Q&A with Vishnu Patel

Editor's Note: We asked the candidates for Yorktown Town Board – incumbent Terrence Murphy (R), Dorothy Forcina (R), incumbent Vishnu Patel (D) and Rich Campanaro (D) – a series of questions before the Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Below are Patel's responses. 

Patch: Why did you decide to run for re-election?

Vishnu Patel: I feel that I can contribute to keeping Yorktown as a very special place to live by continuing to apply my scientific and technological expertise to the issues facing our town. Important issues need to be decided based on an analysis of the facts, not on political or personal considerations.

Patch: What personal or professional experiences qualify you to serve as a town board member?

Patel: In addition to my scientific expertise as an IBM Material Scientist I bring more than 30 years of involvement in our community. Just a few examples: Volunteering in the schools to teach kids about the wonders of science and the benefits of a career in the sciences; chairing the Yorktown Museum and spearheading the beautiful flower plantings all over town.

Patch: What are the top three issues facing town residents?

Patel: Control taxes and spending. Protect our special environment and our remaining open space. Balance the need for development and additional tax-paying businesses with the need to protect our environment.

Patch: Describe your campaign platform or how you differentiate yourself from your opponents' platforms?

Patel: What makes me unique is the analytic and technological perspective that I bring to the Town Board. All of the important issues that I mention in the previous question require a careful examination of the facts and an understanding of many complexities in order to make informed decisions. I am totally independent. I don’t make decisions based on what a political party tells me, who has contributed to my campaign, or what the Supervisor wants me to do. I am in a position to vote for what is right and what the people of Yorktown need with no strings attached.

Patch: Should you be re-elected, what would you like to achieve over the course of your term?

Patel: I have an agenda of technological upgrades that will save money for taxpayers, permit residents to more easily interact with town government, and provide people with easy access to information they need to know about the true financial condition of their town.

Patch: Is there anything we haven't asked that you would like the public to know about you or your candidacy?

Patel: No matter who you support for any office, it is important to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The people who are elected will guide the future of our town, the cost of government and the level of taxes. Don’t let somebody else make that decision for you.


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