Letters of Support
Friday, September 19, 2025 - Rivertowns DispatchFellow village trustee backs Burgos' bid to be elected mayor of Irvington
To the Editor:
After nearly four years of serving on the Irvington Board of Trustees with Arlene Burgos, I have numerous reasons to support her for mayor. She is dedicated, smart, competent, collaborative, fiscally smart, and engaged. If you don't know Arlene personally, I urge you to speak with her before deciding for whom to vote.
I want to highlight two of the most important reasons you should vote for Arlene.
1) Competence. Being mayor is not an entry-level position. There is a learning curve to serving on the village board, learning the intricacies of village governance, like budgeting, employment issues, grants, and other day-to-day responsibilities. Arlene possesses this knowledge and expertise.
Her knowledge of the individual departments and ability to work effectively with the department heads is exceptional. She is a meticulous analyst of the budget each year. Her input and advice on labor issues has been immensely important. With Larry Schopfer retiring as village administrator, Irvington cannot afford to have a mayor and administrator learning on the job. Arlene will be prepared on day one.
2) Arlene is a Democrat. We live in a terrifying time with authoritarianism in the federal government. As Irvington residents, we can control what happens in our village. We need a true Democrat as mayor, not someone who was a Republican until 2019 (well into the first Trump administration), registered as a Democrat in 2024, and did not take part in the Democratic nominating process for mayor. Arlene is pragmatic enough to work with the federal government when it suits Irvington, but she also will stand against the authoritarianism that most Irvington residents do not support.
Arlene is the most competent candidate for mayor, and I hope that you will vote for her. Her election would certainly be in the best interests of the village.
Trustee Mitchell Bard
IRVINGTON
Friday, September 19, 2025 - Rivertowns DispatchBurgos has been a ‘true champion’ for sustainability efforts in Irvington
To the Editor:
One year ago, Irvington achieved a remarkable recognition: a NYS Silver Certification as a Climate Smart Community. This coveted recognition has been obtained by fewer than two dozen communities. This climate work, along with Irvington’s Clean Energy Community program and flood study, unlocked millions of dollars in grants for flood mitigation, EV charging stations, building upgrades and other projects.
As we celebrate this achievement—which reflects the work of numerous volunteers—we write to recognize one who plays a key role: Deputy Mayor Arlene Burgos. Over the last four years as a Trustee and now Arlene has been a true champion for sustainability. For over a decade, local environmentalists—including Irvington’s original Climate Task Force—called for the hire of a sustainability director. It was Arlene’s leadership in 2023 that finally made this position a reality—one that has paid for itself many times over.
Arlene has also demonstrated the courage to act on proposals that may inspire strong opposition from a few. When the Irvington Woods Committee made deer management recommendations to save our 250-acre forest, Arlene listened, weighed the evidence, and offered support—ultimately guiding the Village toward a decision that earned overwhelming community approval.
Her commitment to sustainability extends beyond policy. Arlene has personally rallied her neighbors around climate resilience and joined local clean-ups and stewardship programs to remove trash from parks, pull invasive species, and plant natives.
When it comes to our environment, Arlene shows up—at climate talks, festivals, workshops, and more. Through her consistent support for sustainability, she has established deep connections with local and state officials critical to Irvington’s ongoing success as a climate-smart community.
Arlene combines vision with action and principle with courage. Under her leadership, Irvington is well positioned to safeguard our environment, strengthen our resilience, and build a sustainable future.
Sincerely,
Committee members, speaking as residents (this is important and was removed from the opinion piece, we do not represent the views of village committees or departments).
Warwick Norton: Irvington Green Team, Tree Commission Chair, Friends of Halsey Pond
Zoe Hamilton-vom Baurr: Irvington Woods Committee Chair, Friends of Halsey Pond
David Zwiebel: Irvington Woods Committee, Irvington Housing Committee, Irvington Facilities Planning and Streamlining committees, Friends of Halsey Pond
Lisa Acharekar: Irvington Green Team Steering Committee, Friends of Halsey
Leola Specht: Irvington Green Team Steering Committee
Bruce Bell: Irvington Green Team Steering Committee, Irvington Woods Committee
Jasi Sara : Irvington Green Team Steering Committee
Bill Estes: Irvington Green Team, Friends of Halsey Pond
Todd Wilson: Irvington Green Team
Charlotte Binns: Irvington Sustainability Director, Irvington Woods Committee, Streamlining Committee, Friends of Halsey Pond
Friday, September 12, 2025 - Rivertowns DispatchBurgos has delivered for Irvington and made it a more welcoming community
To the Editor:
I am proud to support Democrat Arlene Burgos for mayor of Irvington this November.
Having lived in Irvington for over 20 years - and now representing our community in the Westchester County Legislature - I can say that no one brings more drive, determination, and practical know-how than Arlene Burgos. She is exactly the kind of leader Irvington needs. As deputy mayor, a partner at a Manhattan law firm, and a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, Arlene has the experience and skillset to move our village forward. But it's not just her résumé, it's what she's done that matters.
Now is the time to elect Democratic candidates with Democratic values and Arlene has shown courage and leadership in making Irvington a more welcoming community. She helped organize Irvington's Pride celebrations and the placement of Pride flags all along Main Street, sending a clear message of support for our LGBTQ+ neighbors. When antisemitism surfaced across the country, she led the village board in passing a resolution to condemn hate and stand with the Jewish community. Arlene also led the effort to open Matthiessen Park to all, a victory I am reminded of whenever I take my kids to the playground and see children from all backgrounds playing together.
Arlene delivers results. I am proud to have partnered with Arlene in securing $7 million in grant funding for Irvington, including for flood mitigation and EV charging.
Under her leadership, the Village earned a Silver Certification from New York's Climate Smart Communities program, expanding opportunities for sustainable growth.
Ask any elected official who has worked with her - from Washington to Albany to Westchester - and they will tell you: Arlene Burgos is smart, capable, and ready to lead.
I urge you to join me in voting for Arlene Burgos for mayor of Irvington.
David Imamura
WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATOR
DISTRICT 12
Friday, August 29, 2025 - Rivertowns DispatchBurgos will be the mayor Irvington needs
To the Editor:
As we mark Women's Equality Day [Tuesday, Aug. 26], we should celebrate the extraordinary women leaders in our community. We now have the opportunity to elect one such leader as mayor of Irvington: Arlene Burgos, an accomplished lawyer, Yale University and Harvard Law School graduate, and our current deputy mayor. As a lawyer myself and former acting Irvington village justice, I have witnessed Arlene's legal acumen and dedicated service to our community. I can say without hesitation that she is the leader Irvington needs at this pivotal moment.
When women hold public office, they bring perspectives and priorities that have too often been overlooked but which strengthen their communities. Studies consistently show that women are especially collaborative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
Over the last four years as a trustee and now deputy mayor, Arlene has consistently demonstrated all of these qualities, along with integrity, vision, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Irvington. During that time, she has worked tirelessly to serve our residents and address their most pressing concerns, including, for example, by helping create a resident-led committee currently working to make the building permitting process simpler and more user-friendly for residents. At the same time, Arlene and the Village Board have taken concrete steps to empower local women leaders, including by hiring women to serve as police officers, village treasurer, and superintendent of parks and recreation.
Let's recognize Women's Equality Day by supporting Arlene — the Democratic candidate for Irvington mayor — and moving Irvington forward with a collaborative leader who is ready to serve on day one. When women lead, everyone benefits.
ALAYNE KATZ, Irvington