Former Police Officer Enters Race for Yorktown Highway Superintendent

Lifelong Yorktown resident Thomas Diana is the latest candidate to announce his run for the position of Yorktown highway superintendent. He will seek the Democratic Party's endorsement. 

"My 30 years of working in public safety, with mechanical and heavy equipment and project management work makes me an ideal candidate for this elected position," Diana said in a statement. 

This is his first time Diana – a 1975 Lakeland High School graduate – is running for public office. He said he has the skills necessary to manage the town's highway department. 

Diana has more than 25 years of experience as a law enforcement officer in Yorktown and Westchester County. He first entered the public safety field in 1980 as a K9 officer for the Yorktown Police Department.

He later worked for the town of Cortlandt's police department for 14 years where he was a patrol division commander until the town board closed down the department. Diana also worked as a police officer at the Westchester County Police Department. 

"As a public safety officer I developed extensive skills in working with the public, conflict resolution, budget preparation, managerial skills and grant writing capabilities," he said. 

Diana is now the owner of Comfort Heating Inc., a fuel oil company in Shrub Oak. He runs his business along with his wife Donna and two other employees. 

The man said he has the mechanical and heavy equipment skills needed for the position of highway superintendent. He also said he has "extensive" training in the heavy mechanical and construction fields including drainage, excavating, environmental remediation, project management, blacktop and masonry work, as well as truck maintenance. 

"I'm a very hands-on-guy," said Diana, who also plowed snow for the town of Yorktown back in the 1980s as a contractor for two winters. 

The highway superintendent is responsible for managing the department's $4.9 million budget and 200 miles of roads and bridges. He also oversees the maintenance of highway trucks and equipment and is responsible for the town's organic waste facilities. 

If elected, Diana said he would work to increase the department's output. 

Current Highway Superintendent Eric DiBartolo, who has been in office since 1996, has said he would not seek re-election. Diana applauded DiBartolo's department and said his men and women do a "heck of a job."

"I'd like to continue with his path and improve on wherever I can," Diana said. "The Yorktown taxpayers of Yorktown deserve to travel in comfort and safety."

Diana lives in Shrub Oak, at the house he grew up in, with his wife Donna. The couple has two children – Megan, 28, and Briana, 26, as well as granddaughter Emma, 3, and another granddaughter, Gracie, on the way. 

Yorktown resident and former candidate Stephen Gardner has also announced his candidacy for the position. 

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