SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
From day one, I've been committed to running an honest, positive campaign. However, there are claims and statements being made by my opponent that I can no longer allow to go unchallenged.
My Opponent's Claim:
"My opponent holds the position of Deputy District Director in Mike Lawler's office. She works for Lawler, NOT for the residents of Mahopac, District 9"
The Truth
First and foremost, my role as a Putnam County Legislator and my role as Deputy District Director for Congressman Lawler are entirely separate and do not interfere with one another. It is fairly common for part-time elected officials to also have a "day job".
My day job happens to be providing constituent services to the residents of Congressional District 17; helping them navigate bureaucracy and get access to needed government services.
One of the first cases I worked on after I was hired was successfully assisting a local 9/11 first responder who was having difficulty getting himself enrolled in the World Trade Center Health program. With my advocacy, we were able to finally get him the much-needed benefits he was entitled to.
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So not only is this claim being made by my opponent completely misguided and inaccurate, it's downright irresponsible.
My Opponent's Claim:
"Until this term, you have had zero choice for a representative because she has run unopposed. This is bad for YOU!"
The Truth
I am currently serving in my first three-year term as a legislator, so I'm not really sure what is being implied here.
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In 2022, I successfully ran against a two-term incumbent, who also happened to be the sitting Chair of the Legislature at the time. I appeared on the Republican line on the ballot in the November general election, while my opponent appeared on the Conservative line. Due to certain legalities, he would have been unable to take the oath of office had he won, but it is not accurate to say that I ran unopposed.
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Also worth noting is the fact that my opponent in 2022 lived directly across the street from my current opponent.
My Opponent's Claim:
"Putnam County has $100 million in its bank account. There is another $40 million earmarked for "future plans". They have a dated plan not based on reality. I have direct management experience with operating budgets up to $80 million"
The Truth
The idea that this money is just “sitting there” is misleading. Much of it is legally obligated or strategically earmarked, and every dollar spent must be justified.
Would we rather live in a county that spends down every dime and then turns to taxpayers when something breaks? Or a county that plans ahead like every household should?
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Having a strategic financial cushion doesn’t mean we don’t need improvement. But attacking the existence of a reserve is not the conservative way. We build stability, not blow it up.
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And as for claims about budget experience — that’s great. But managing a private or isolated budget is not the same as balancing the needs of six towns, three villages, tens of thousands of residents, and long-term county obligations. Real conservative leadership means understanding the difference between reckless spending and disciplined planning — and Putnam County has earned its AAA bond rating because of that discipline.
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Putnam County is preparing for the future, not spending blindly. Reserves protect us from state funding cuts, economic downturns, and costly emergencies — like infrastructure failures or natural disasters — without raising taxes or borrowing. That’s what fiscal responsibility looks like.
My Opponent's Claim:
"Your local government tells you one thing, but in practice, they do another. Look at your most recent property assessment. Judge for yourself."
The Truth
Let’s clear something up: Property assessments are not handled by any branch of Putnam County government. They’re conducted by individual towns — through your local assessor’s office. A candidate for County Legislator should know this.
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As your representative, I take taxpayer concerns seriously. But I also believe in truth in government — and that means making sure people know who is responsible for what. Let’s fix what’s broken, but let’s do it by holding the right people accountable — not fueling confusion for political gain.​