2019 Candidate Profile: Greenburgh's Paul Feiner

GREENBURGH, NY — Greenburgh will have one contested race in this fall's election, the supervisor. Rivertowns Patch asked candidates in the contested race to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Paul Feiner, 63, is running for re-election for supervisor. His opponent is Lucas Cioffi, who is running as an independent.

Feiner is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. He and his wife, Sherrie Brown, who works for the attorney general's office Medicaid Fraud Unit, have one daughter Julia Feiner, 20, a student.

Feiner is a graduate of St. John's University School of Law. In addition to serving as the Greenburgh town supervisor, for 28 years, he is an adjunct professor of government at Westchester Community College. He previously served on the Westchester County Board of Legislators from 1983 to 1991.

The single most pressing issue facing our community, and what I intend to do about it.

I want residents to feel that they are being listened to. Many residents complain about high taxes. The town's portion of the real property taxes is about 17% of the entire bill. We have a AAA bond rating, the highest possible. Reduces borrowing costs (six figures). Our budgets have come in under the tax cap. We are listening to residents who want more sidewalks, safer crosswalks. We've obtained millions of dollars in grants to upgrade our water infrastructure, in response to residents requests plan to offer curbside pickup of food scraps. Have enhance recreation — started cricket. And have approved affordable housing around town-especially for seniors. Working to have assisted living facilities offer discount rates for residents. And, hope to revitalize 4 corners in Hartsdale. Also in response to requests we're restoring the abandoned Odell house into a historic museum. Am working to make every section of town pleased with their government — we're better if we're together. We listen!

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I don't want voters to vote against my opponent. I want them to vote for me.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

More sidewalks
More crosswalks
Lobbying NYS to repave roads they own. Last year student interns lobbied the state to repave 9A
I want to see the town stay together and am working hard to show every section that we're responsive.
Food scrap recycling program- hope to start curbside pickup next year
Obtaining grants from state government and the fed (especially for stormwater management, traffic at the 4 corners)
Make Jackson Ave safer
Stay under tax cap — maintain AAA bond rating
Improve RFP/bidding process- am creating a committee to review draft RFPs/bids before they are issued — hoping to encourage more bidding
Turn historic Odell house into a museum
Propose new police/court house that will be affordable. Sell existing buildings — and restoring existing properties to tax rolls
working with villages — look for additional shared service opportunities to save taxpayers dollars

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Since my last election the town has maintained our AAA bond rating. Kept tax increases under tax cap. We created a system right after the election — acted quickly and enabled thousands of taxpayers to prepay their taxes, saving residents thousands of dollars. Persuaded Metro North to install elevators at Hartsdale train station (work will take place next year). Six miles of new sidewalks built or funded. Crosswalks improved. One of the first localities in Westchester to start food scrap recycling. We approved affordable housing all over town. Upgraded water supply management. Connecting Rumbrook/Knollwood stations. Have involved students in government via our intern program. Approved one million sq. foot expansion for Regeneron. Upgraded our website. Started the slice of history initiative (sharing historical info with residents). Started 911 living history stories on cable TV and living history interviews of about 150 world war II veterans. We have created land use advisory committees. Crime is down. And we offer services no one else offers: Snow angels for seniors (helping seniors clear driveways of snow, using volunteers). Job club. Housecalls to residents who can't come to town hall.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

You can always learn from your critics.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I love the job. Call me at home: 478-1219, at the office: 989 1540 or on my cell: 438 1343.