MAHOPAC – Three candidates for Putnam’s top elected position squared off at the Mahopac Library in a heated debate leading up to Election Day next month. Incumbent Republican County Executive Kevin Byrne faces challenges from Democrat Brett Yarris and Conservative Tatiana Brahimi; Byrne’s name will also appear on the Libertarian Party line, while Yarris has the backing of the Working Families/For the People committee.
Yarris believes there are “two different visions of what Putnam County is today and what the county can be.”
Yarris said that while Byrne believes “everything today in Punam is great with residents living the best lives possible, in reality, Putnam County remains the second most unaffordable county to live in across New York State.”
Yarris has promised to “bring down the affordable crisis in Putnam County by establishing a community college and trade schools that will put needed dollars back into the pocket of residents and our local economy, bringing down the cost of living for everyone.”
Yarris has also pledged to cut taxes for all Putnam County residents, helping young people and seniors remain in their homes.
Byrne talked about the accomplishments made during his first term: “I have cut taxes, reduced the county’s debt, reduced sales tax. We are hard pressed due to state policies.”
Byrne credited his administration with “strong financial planning, a strong bond rating all this while lowering the county’s debt.” Byrne, a former New York State assemblyman, described himself as Putnam’s most transparent executive who will “build a healthier and safer community for all in the years to come.”
Brahimi called Putnam a “special place built on hard-working, strong-working values. I decided to run because Putnam deserves an option to bring back true conservative values, eliminate the good old boys’ club, and stop back-door deals by hiring family and friends.”
Brahimi said she was seeking office to provide a “more efficient government that works for the people and not the politicians.”
The Putnam Board of Elections reported Thursday 22,080 registered Democrats countywide, 24,723 registered Republicans and 1,689 registered Conservatives, with 22,476 unaffiliated registered voters who will play a key role in this year’s election.
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