Meet the Candidate: Ron Belmont

Candidate: Ron Belmont

Age: 58

Political Affiliation: Endorsed by the Republican, Independence and Conservative Parties.

Education/Professional Background: MS from Lehman College, BS From Ashland University. Recreation department supervisor for 25 years.

Patch: What is your platform for running for this position? What should voters know about you before making their decision?

Belmont: I would like voters to know that I love Harrison and I am excited at the opportunity to become your mayor. I am a life-long resident—not a politician. I do not have a political agenda, or play political games. My platform is to bring Harrison back to prominence. Like many Harrison residents, I’m frustrated with our leadership and the town’s declining reputation. I’m upset with the lazy, closed-minded approach the current administration has taken on many issues.  I’m ambitious, optimistic and open-minded. I am confident that with my background, skill-set and knowledge of the town we can improve Harrison.

Restoring Harrison’s image will take hard work and fresh, creative ideas. My platform focuses on several issues. First, we must establish respect within the mayor’s office and town departments. Town board meetings must be managed professionally; this is the responsibility of the mayor. Second, we must develop fiscal responsibility. Fiscal planning does not mean voting “No” to all spending. Instead, we must use Harrison’s resources more efficiently.  Third, we must restore the downtown business district. This can be achieved with beautification (at no additional cost, see #3) and with help from federal and state grants.

I also plan on attacking illegal housing in Harrison. This is a growing problem, but I believe it can be stopped. Fighting this issue can also become a source of revenue. More income and less illegal housing will help decrease taxes—another major focus of my platform. Lastly, flooding throughout the trails and alongside the Brentwood Brook, Beaver Swamp and Mamaroneck River must be examined. I feel that working with our engineers and surrounding towns we can alleviate this problem.

These are just several focal points that need immediate attention. Once our reputation improves property values will increase, lowering the tax burden. Working together with you, my goal is to make Harrison a destination town for families. 

Patch: You are running on a platform that includes restoring Harrison as a go-to destination in Westchester County. How do you make Harrison a better place to live while avoiding sizeable tax rate increases?

Belmont: Harrison residents are frustrated with declining property values. Home prices have recovered in surrounding towns recently, but in Harrison they have not. The only way to increase property values in Harrison is if people buy homes here. Therefore, Harrison must entice homebuyers to purchase here instead of surrounding towns.

As mayor, it will be my responsibility to build Harrison into a town families desire to live in. As Harrison becomes a more sought-after residence, more people will buy homes here and property values will increase. As a Harrison homeowner, my house is a very large part of my net worth. I am angry the current administration has done nothing to help increase the value of my home. This must change. Under my leadership, I plan to return to a premier community that relocating families desire.

As mayor, it will be my responsibility to stimulate this change. I plan on revitalizing the downtown, at no additional cost to residents (see #3). I hope to achieve better cooperation with our school system. I feel there are ways the mayor’s office and school district can work together. Under my administration, Harrison residents will receive the level of service they deserve. Unfortunately, due to increased taxes, declining property values and poor basic services, Harrison is no longer an ideal settling place. We can change and we must in order to return Harrison back to prominence.

Patch: How do you intend to bring businesses to Harrison? One issue with downtown is the number of for-rent signs along Halstead Avenue, how do you make Harrison a business friendly town?

Belmont: A major tenant in my platform is to revitalize business and the Harrison business district. Contrary to the current mayor, I believe this is possible without increasing taxes. We need to be creative and efficient. My ideas will not require additional spending. Instead, we can use our in-house resources more efficiently. For example, the town has masons and skilled craftsmen who can take on small repairs daily, such as repairing sidewalks. Arborists (already employed by the town) can work to beautify that area by planting and maintaining shrubbery.

We need to motivate volunteers and encourage committees to help. For example, the town used to have a beautification committee, but it is no longer in existence. That must be redeveloped. As mayor, I plan to work hand-in-hand with this committee and others. I also plan to work closely with our chamber of commerce to help resolve issues our business owners suffer with.

I believe federal grants and state aid can help as well. I hope these financial resources will entice landlords to spruce up their storefronts and buildings. Most importantly, we need to encourage residents to shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants. We can accomplish this by adding parking and creating special days or weekends, similar to street fairs. On these days, shops can showcase their products and services without traffic. There are a number of creative and inexpensive ideas my administration can employ to energize Harrison’s business. 

Patch: Negotiations continue at this point between town leadership and local labor unions over possible changes to the healthcare aspect of their contracts. Will you continue to pursue these changes? What are your hopes, if any, for the renegotiated union contracts?

Belmont: Union negotiations are not easy. However, in this particular case I believe a “win-win” outcome can be achieved. I’m appalled that over the last few months, negotiations have been essentially frozen. This is unacceptable. I think both sides need to continue talking because a solution will never come if discussions are stopped.

As mayor, it will be my job to oversee these discussions and make sure a fair outcome is reached for both sides. As in every contract negotiation, there must be some compromise and such is the case here. Either side will not get their full offer tomorrow. But by structuring a deal over the long term, I believe an equitable solution can be reached. My goal is to see a resolution without either party forced into an unfair deal. Right now the key is for both parties to start talking again.

Patch: What plans do you have for possible senior living centers in Harrison? Some of Harrison’s seniors have struggled to keep up with increased taxes and are considering moving from the area, how do you fix this problem?

Belmont: As superintendent of recreation, I have been dedicated to the seniors citizens of Harrison for the last 25 years. I am very proud that under my leadership, we have built a state recognized senior citizen program. Due to my efforts, the recreation department currently operates two senior citizen centers and has over 400 seniors participating in our program.

Given my background, I am well aware of problem seniors face. I think it is very sad that residents who have contributed so much to our community over many years maybe forced to leave. This issue must be investigated. Potential locations should be examined for senior housing and developers should be engaged about these facilities and locations.

Patch: What would be your biggest strength as a supervisor?

Belmont: My leadership abilities and optimistic energy are my biggest strengths. As superintendent, I have managed Harrison’s Recreation Department for 25 years. The department has always been managed for our residents and their enjoyment. As such, we have developed dozens of programs for residents of all ages. As superintendent, I managed a staff of 12 full-time employees and over 200 part-time workers. Every year I was responsible to manage our budget and oversee expenditures.

My department was never over budget. As superintendent, I helped plan and oversee five major capital projects in Harrison, including the new pool and street renovation in West Harrison. I was also a founding board member for the Southeast Consortium. As part of that group, we were able to work with nine communities to create a recreation program for the disabled population of Westchester. Half of those nine communities will need to work with again to alleviate our flooding problem (Rye, both Mamaronecks, and Rye Brook). Until we can bring everyone to together, nothing will get accomplished.

In 1983, I was founding President of the Harrison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, which still serves residents today. I have embraced a leadership role throughout my life to improve our community, as mayor I look forward to continuing this on a larger scale. 

Patch: What do you think your biggest weakness will be, how will you address it?

Belmont: At times, I can be too ambitious. I feel there is so much we can do for Harrison today to make our community great again. I’m passionate about our town and I often get over excited thinking about how exceptional Harrison can be. I think Harrison has a bright future and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of it.

Patch: What is one thing voters might not know about you that they should?

Belmont: I love spending time with my family. That is paramount for me. We have a very strong family. My kids and my wife are everything to me. 

Ron Belmont will challenge incumbent Supervisor/Mayor Joan Walsh on Tuesday, Nov. 8.