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EASTCHESTER, N.Y. -- Bringing a different perspective to town government is the goal of Democratic challengers Anita Rosner and John Filiberti who are running for the two open seats on the Eastchester Town Board.
Rosner and Filiberti will be facing off against Republican incumbents Glenn Bellitto and Joe Dooley who are running to keep their seats on the board.
"I have nothing bad to say about my opponents," said Filiberti. "I wish them good luck and I am sure they wish me the same."
Filiberti said that he decided to run for the Town Board because he feels that it is important to give residents more than one perspective.
"We have a Republican board, many of whom were appointed by Supervisor (Anthony) Colavita," Filiberti said. "I think it is important to have a board that will twist things around and look at things in different ways."
Filiberti, 56, spent nine years on the Eastchester Board of Education. He did not run for an additional term in 2007 when his dad became critically ill.
Over the years, he has served on the board of The Tower Club condominium and has worked as a legislative aide, first to Vito Pinto and since 2010 to county Legislator Judy Myers. He also has sold real estate, been a Pace University instructor and a small business consultant. He has served on the Eastchester School Foundation and Broadway Training Center Board of Directors. He started Eastchester Kids, a non-profit focused on supporting Eastchester schools and local children.
"The same way I brought my knowledge of technology to the school district, I believe that I can utilize my skills to help the town use technology as well," Filiberti said.
Filiberti said that he would help put items like the budget, contracts and expenditures on line for residents to access if they so choose.
"This will help to reduce costs, but more importantly town government will become more transparent and provide residents with as much information about the workings of the town as possible," he said. "I believe that by improving the use of technology in the town, we can provide our residents with better service at a lower cost."
First time candidate Anita Rosner, 50, said that her main focus if elected as a member of the town board will be promoting support for local businesses.
"If the town needs the services of an accountant, for example, or any professional services, we should chose someone who is an accountant in town to support local businesses as a way of promoting the economy here," Rosner said.
A stay-at-home mom, and a freelance photographer, Rosner said in addition to her family she has invested her time in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where she is a member of the nominating committee and former vice president and executive board member for the Westchester chapter.
Rosner is also a former board member and newsletter editor for the Bronxville Manor Association and a former research director for an international Wall Street firm. She is a fund-raiser who organized a World Diabetes Day in her neighborhood and has run successful fund-raising campaigns for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe and Horace Mann School in Riverdale.
"It just felt like the right time to become involved," Rosner said . "I'm not sure the current board is as effective as it could be. I will be seeing things with a fresh pair of eyes. I am not afraid to shake things up if it's in the best interest of the town."
Rosner and Filiberti are running on the Democratic line with John Fitzpatrick, who is challenging Sheila Marcotte for her seat on the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Fitzpatrick, the former Mayor of Tuckahoe, did not return phone calls or emails for comment on his candidacy.
Incumbent Eastchester Supervisor Anthony Colavita is running unopposed for his fifth two-year term.
Also running unopposed on the Republican, Conservative and Independent lines are incuments Town Clerk Linda Doherty, Receiver of Taxes Rocco Cacciola and Town Justices Dominick Porco and Jane Calano.
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