Every month or two, we sit down with Supervisor Lanny Gilbert and discuss his work and current events in Yorktown. Have a question for him? Email AskLannyGilbert@gmail.com.
By Larry Kilian and Mary Jane Kilian Right now, pull out your car insurance policy and look at what you are paying to pay for uninsured motorists. It’s surprisingly high, given that the vast majority of drivers do have insurance as required by law. However, if all motorists were not required to have insurance, the […]
“It’s time for a new direction for the working families of Peekskill, Cortlandt and Yorktown. Decades of Republican leadership has left our District without meaningful representation in County Government.
Unchecked development and expanding population centers place a growing demand on essential public services. Our District needs someone willing to speak up for our share of County resources. I will be that voice. County roadways in our area are long overdue for rehabilitation and repair. I will work tirelessly to secure available County resources to fix crumbling infrastructure. The shrinking availability of affordable housing, particularly for our seniors, is an ongoing challenge in our communities. I will create an “Age In Place” task force to work closely with the County Affordable Housing Program in order to better help seniors stay in their own homes.
Lastly, I want to be an active part of the new leadership team of County Legislators that is committed to bringing about a government for everyone in Westchester. A government that is culturally inclusive, environmentally conscious, and actively seeking economically sound policies and initiatives that will propel Westchester forward in the 21st Century.”
Biography
Born and raised in Peekskill
Graduated Peekskill High School, 1991
B.A., Philosophy, Cedarville University, 1996
J.D. , Pace Law School 2003
Bronx County Assistant District Attorney, 2003 to 2005
Private practice handling both criminal and civil matters, 2005 through Present
Local business owner in Peekskill since 2015
Peekskill City School Board Trustee, 2012-2017
Peekskill City Councilman, 2017 through Present
Vedat Gashi
“I am running for the Westchester County Board of Legislators because Northern Westchester deserves a representative that always advocates for their best interests.
I came to this country from Kosovo as a child, and with hard work, our family was able to build a life that would be impossible in any other country but America. As a parent, husband, and small business owner, I am dedicated to creating better conditions for people raising their families and running their businesses in Yorktown, Somers and Newcastle. We need to focus on building up our water, sewer and road infrastructure, protecting the district’s parks and lake, and creating a positive business environment without raising taxes.”
Biography
Grew up in the Bronx and Yorktown
Graduated from Lakeland High School
A., Connecticut College
D., Seton Hall University
Married with two children
Member of the Rotary Club of Yorktown
Yorktown Democratic Party District Leader
Gashi Law Group
Attorney Aug 2011 to Present
Office of the Prime Minister Prishtina, Kosovo
Chief Legal Advisor Apr 2006 to Apr 2007
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Local Government Administration Prishtina, Kosovo
Chief Legal Advisor Feb 2005 to Apr 2006
East West Management Institute New York, NY
Consultant, through a Grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund Sep 2005 to Nov 2005
BearingPoint Prishtina, Kosovo
Senior Lawyer Sep 2004 – Dec 2004
Ilan Gilbert
I’m extremely proud of what my administration has accomplished in the past 16 months. And I want to continue that forward momentum and build on the groundwork we’ve laid.
The previous administration left a mess behind. Money was being wasted on expensive contracts. Our Town infrastructure had been neglected for years. Development projects were pushed through without the necessary protections for the Town. Environmental preservation had been gutted. The Granite Knolls Sports & Recreation Complex was just a hole in the ground.
My first term was about righting the ship and getting the Town to a place where it could simply function again.
We’ve already achieved a great deal in a short time. Like renegotiating contracts to save the Town money and identifying new sources of millions in revenue. Taking action to repair infrastructure and expand business opportunities. And strengthening vital programs that serve our community and preserve our environment.
The job of Town Supervisor is not a glamorous one. It shouldn’t be politicized or turned into a partisan platform for furthering self-interests. The job is about rolling up your sleeves, digging in, learning what makes the Town work, and delivering on behalf of its citizens every day. It’s about being a true public servant.
I believe there’s more that unites us than divides us. We are all invested in Yorktown. I’ve worked hard to encourage residents’ participation in the decisions that shape our future. We’ve changed the tone of our Town government. So, let’s not go backwards to partisanship and divisive politics. Let’s keep moving forward.
I want to continue making Yorktown better than I found it. I created the Economic and Business Revitalization Committee to offer a fresh perspective—on our economic growth and how to preserve what makes our Town special. We’re already implementing some incredible recommendations. And we’re just getting started.
I believe in the Town’s motto of progress with preservation. Respecting our roots, while ensuring we continue to grow and prosper as a community. And that’s how I plan to keep getting the job done, for all of the people of Yorktown.
Biography
Yorktown resident for 27 years
B.A. Political Science, SUNY Binghamton, 1978
J.D. Hofstra University School of Law, 1982
Bronx Supreme Court
Liaison to Administrative Judge Jan 2013 to Present
Referee Presiding over Drug Compliance Part Jan 2009 to Present
Court Attorney 1982 to Present
Coordinator Mental Health Court Apr 2001 to Dec 2010
Town of Yorktown
Town Justice Jan 2007 to Dec 2011
Chairman Conservation Board Jan 1994 to Dec 2006
Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell
Editor Jan 2001 to Dec 2005
Diana L. Quast
“I have met and enjoyed helping many wonderful people over the past 20 years of my public service career. In 2016, I was honored and humbled to become your Elected Town Clerk and have loved every minute. I decided to run for a second term because I have other initiatives that I would like to see implemented in our community.
I am proud of the work we did to increase accessibility by creating a mobile Town Clerk’s office and an online program to streamline dog license renewals. We updated the Town’s technology to improve service and efficiency and started going paperless, digitizing over 1-million documents while preserving historical records.
What I enjoy most about Yorktown is the sense of community and spirit of volunteerism that exists here. We have an amazing cross-section of all age ranges and I am always pleased by the interactions I have with everyone. Our older residents remind me to honor our history, and our younger residents remind me of the bright future we have ahead. I look forward to continuing to automate the Town Clerk’s Office and make it even more convenient for our residents and cost-effective for our Town. And I’m excited to continue working with this passionate, knowledgeable team devoted to the residents of Yorktown.”
Biography
Married with two children and three grandchildren
Attended Yorktown High School
B.S. Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude, Colorado Technical University
New York State Registered Municipal Clerk
International Certified Municipal Clerk
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International
Town of Yorktown
Town Clerk Jan 2016 to present
Deputy Town Clerk Jan 2003 to Dec 2015
Interim Town Clerk Oct 2007 to Dec 2007
Town of New Castle
Deputy Town Clerk Jan 1999 to Jan 2003
Affiliations & Interests
New York State Town Clerks Association
Westchester Putnam Town and City Clerks Association
Yorktown Rotary Club, Current President
Yorktown Parks and Recreation Commission, Current Chair
Millwood Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Life Member
Ossining Women’s Fast Pitch Softball League, 20+ year Team Member
Sheralyn Goodman
“I have a track record of getting the job done—whether it’s as a lawyer fighting for what’s right, a working mother, a union organizer, or a law enforcement official. I want to bring that know-how to our Town government to make Yorktown even better.
My vision is to promote and share the beauty of Yorktown and make it a place people come to explore. I will work to streamline processes so that small businesses can grow here. I will fight to keep taxes flat so young families can afford to move here and seniors can afford to stay. The natural beauty and sense of community brought my family and me to Yorktown 25 years ago. I’m running for Town Council to make sure that more families visit and explore Yorktown, move to Yorktown and stay in Yorktown.”
Biography
Yorktown resident for 25 years
Married with son and daughter
Thomas Jefferson PTA volunteer
Copper Beech Drama Club and Lakeland’s Wig ‘n Whiskers volunteer
B.A., History, University of Toronto
J.D., Syracuse University College of Law
Assistant District Attorney, Kings County
Legal Aid Society, Westchester County
Worked with stakeholders to build special court program to address addiction
Worked with those addicted to drugs find recovery and rebuild their lives
Fought to ensure access to health insurance and treatment
Worked with families devastated by opiates
Fought to give kids the opportunity they deserve
Built a specialized court to help kids (with various stakeholders)
Organized union
Built consensus among people in different job sectors
Delegate to Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body
Negotiating Team
Conducted health insurance cost-benefit analysis to provide better coverage at lower cost
Walked with CSEA, 32BJ, CWA
Board of Directors, Youth Shelter of Westchester
Served as VP (2 years; 5 years of service total)
Helping young men find stability
Governance of small nonprofit
Developed strategic 5-year plan to maintain and grow funding
Oversight of monthly and annual budgets
Fundraising
Ombudsman between Executive Director and staff
Deputy Commissioner, Westchester County Department of Probation
Oversight of law enforcement agency (Fiscal operations, including budgets, aid plans and grants; Supervision of professional and administrative staff; Training and staff development)
Developed reform policies
Develop workplace policies
Management of Criminal Justice Advisory Board
Management of newly created Probation Advisory Board
Service on Labor/Management Committee (Improving communication through transparency and appropriate implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement)
Speaker on Opiate Addiction and the Criminal Justice System, Juvenile Justice Issues, at various locations in Westchester and NY State, including
New York State Bar Assn.
Pace Law School
My Brothers’ Keeper
Partnered with faith-based community and developed strategies for returning citizens
Conducted workshops in constitutional law at elementary and secondary schools throughout Westchester
Patricia Sullivan-Rothberg
“Since moving to Yorktown 15 years ago, I have immersed myself in Town activities through the PTA, Boy Scouts, and as an advocate for arts in education. It’s the natural next step for me to be of service to Yorktown as a member of the Town Council.
Building community is what I do, it’s what I love, and it’s in my DNA. Yorktown has so many assets—historic sites, beautiful parks and trails, excellent schools—and a wealth of talent right here within the community. I want to build on those assets and work together to help Supervisor Gilbert implement his new economic plan. I envision a vibrant Town that embraces green initiatives, has thriving businesses, and is an attractive place to raise families and stay for retirement. As an active resident and young parent, I believe that adding my insights will only broaden the knowledge and outlook of the Board.”
Biography
Yorktown resident for 15 years
Married with a son in Yorktown High School
F.A. Theater Arts and Film, Purchase College, SUNY
25 years in documentary film and television production/distribution
Affiliations & Interests
Board Member of KJK Productions
Secretary and Executive Committee Member for Boy Scout Troop 164
Member of First Nighters Club at Yorktown High School
President of PTA for Crompond Elementary
District PTA Liaison for Mohansic and Crompond Elementary
