Yorktown Republicans Endorse Forcina for Town Board and Bernard for Highway

The Yorktown Republican Town Committee have endorsed Dorothy Forcina for Yorktown town board and Gregory Bernard for the highway superintendent postion, committee members announced today. 

The two candidates will join a slate featuring incumbent Supervisor Michael Grace, Town Justice Sal Lagonia, County Legislator John Testa and Councilman Terrence Murphy. A candidate for County Legislator District 4 is expected to be endorsed next month.

The committee also endorsed appellate Judge Mark Dillon, who is up for re-election this year and served three terms as Yorktown Town Justice before being elected to a 14-year term on the Supreme Court in 1999. Dillon was elevated to the appellate division in 2005.

Forcina, a lifelong Republican, said she views herself as a pro-business and fiscally conservative candidate.

"I am running for councilwoman because everyone in Yorktown deserves a local government they can trust and works effectively to safeguard taxpayer dollars," she said in a statement. 

The woman, who has 25 years of business experience, said she appreciates the vote of confidence and grassroots support from the Yorktown Republican Town Committee. Currently the director of corporate partnerships at Mercy College, Forcina spent eight years as managing director of the Westchester County Association where she was a guiding force on behalf of Westchester's business community in helping pass the statewide property tax cap and repealing the MTA payroll tax. She also serves as president of the Yorktown High School PTA.

Bernard began his career in public serve as a district leader for the Yorktown Republican Town Committee, later serving on the town planning board. He was elected as a town councilman from 1993 to 2001. He has more than 30 years of construction management experience.

"I am excited to have the endorsement of the Yorktown Republican Committee as a candidate for Highway Superintendent and look forward to joining a ticket who are committed to getting Yorktown back on the right track," said Bernard, who unsuccessfully ran in 2009 against current Yorktown highway superintendent Eric DiBartolo.

Bernard said in a statement he pledges to maintain an open door policy and the top quality services Yorktown residents have come to know and expect, if elected. He said his years of experience with the town's budgetary process give him a broad perspective on all the issues facing Yorktown, not just those at the highway department.

"I'm taking Greg [Bernard] and Dorothy [Forcina] out this weekend to buy several new pairs of sneakers so we can hit the ground running and start knocking on doors to meet the voters face to face," said Councilman Terrence Murphy, who last month announced he would seek a second term on the town board with the endorsements of County Executive Rob Astorino and State Senator Greg Ball.

Murphy is the owner of two small businesses, Murphy's Restaurant and Yorktown Health and Wellness Center, where he is a chiropractor. He said Forcina and Bernard will "make a fine compliment" as town officials tackle the tough issues facing the Yorktown community – from ethics reform, to economic development, increased sewer capacity, combating the flow of illegal drugs and holding Con Ed and NYSEG accountable, he said.

Serafina Mastro, chairwoman of the Yorktown Republican Town Committee, said she was proud of the candidates and the district leaders for participating in an open interview and endorsement process, which attracted a record level of interest this year.

"We had a field of over a dozen highly-qualified candidates for these offices and have voted for two excellent candidates," Mastro said. "All of them have a bright future in our community and I know they will stay involved in the process."

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