Mayoral Candidate Prioritizes Community Well-being in First of Series of Policy Announcements
ELMSFORD, NY (August 12, 2024) — Today, Matt Evans, Village Trustee and candidate for Mayor of Elmsford, unveiled his comprehensive neighborhood safety plan, the first in a series of platform priorities he will be announcing in the coming weeks. This initial rollout emphasizes Evans' commitment to community well-being and responsible governance.
"Elmsford's success is tied to the peace of mind of its residents—only when our entire community, the north side, south side, and in between, feels secure and confident, can we unlock our full potential.," said Matt Evans, candidate for Mayor of Elmsford. "As I begin to share my vision for Elmsford's future, I'm starting with neighborhood safety to reaffirm its critical importance to our community. It's crucial that every resident understands my commitment to maintaining a safe and secure village. In the weeks ahead, I'll be outlining additional priorities that together will form a detailed roadmap for our village's growth and prosperity."
Evans' neighborhood safety plan includes several key initiatives aimed at fostering a safer, more secure neighborhood for all Elmsford residents:
Maintaining stability in police department leadership personnel
Empowering the police commissioner to fully oversee departmental operations, in accordance with Village Code
Ensuring the fiscal oversight and discipline necessary to provide the fire department with new trucks to replace the aging, worn out current fleet, while also addressing the staffing, training, and equipment needs of our valuable emergency medical services personnel
Expanding community policing efforts and youth engagement programs to build trust and yield positive social outcomes
Fostering relationships with mental health organizations and allocating funds for training for all first responders to effectively engage with residents experiencing a mental health crisis
Implementing emergency notification systems via text, email, and automated calls to alert residents about threats like extreme weather as well as public works issues
Upgrading lighting and surveillance cameras to deter illegal activities
Evans specifically addressed the critical need to update emergency equipment for the safety of all Elmsford residents: "The safety of our neighborhood relies heavily on the effectiveness of our emergency services, including our fire department. However, due to a concerning pattern of fiscal mismanagement at the highest levels of our village government, we've been unable to secure the necessary bonds to replace our aging fire trucks. This alarming situation, characterized by years of unclosed financial books and a lack of proper oversight, puts our entire community at risk. Since joining the board, I've consistently pushed for greater financial transparency, demanding both internal and external audits, and advocating for stricter fiscal discipline. These measures are crucial not only for addressing our immediate neighborhood safety needs, like updating our fire equipment, but also for ensuring Elmsford's long-term financial health and security. As mayor, I'll make it a top priority to correct these long-standing financial issues, implementing the responsible leadership necessary to enable critical investments in our emergency services and other vital areas that directly impact the safety and well-being of every resident."
Evans also made a firm commitment regarding his own role, should he be elected: "I want to be clear: as Mayor, I will never seek to become a police constable. This commitment is grounded in the principles outlined in the September 3, 2014 informal opinion (No. 2014-4) issued by Assistant Solicitor General Kathryn Sheingold. While this opinion specifically addresses fire department roles, stating that "a person shall not hold the office of village mayor or village trustee and the office of chief or assistant chief of a village fire department at the same time," the underlying principle is applicable to our situation. The opinion emphasizes that a board appointing one of its members to another public position is contrary to public policy. By extension, a mayor serving as a police constable would create a similar conflict of interest. As mayor, my job will be to lead our village in compliance with these ethical standards, ensuring proper separation of duties and avoiding any appearance of self-appointment or conflict of interest in public safety roles."
The candidate emphasized that his approach to public safety is part of a broader vision for Elmsford's future. "This is about bringing people together and bridging gaps," Evans said. "This isn't about policing—this is about community building. This is about ensuring that those we call in times of emergency are fully equipped with both the skills and equipment necessary to meet the needs of each and every member of our diverse community."
Evans concluded, "In the weeks ahead, I'll be outlining additional priorities that together will form a detailed roadmap for our village's growth and prosperity. Each of these priorities will build upon the foundation of a renewed Elmsford, grounded in ethics, community engagement, and a sense of unity."
For more information about Matt Evans, his mayoral campaign, and his campaign priorities, please visit MattForElmsford.com or Instagram and Facebook.
About Matt Evans
Matt Evans is a fourth-generation Elmsfordian, dedicated public servant, and candidate for Mayor of the Village of Elmsford. With more than a decade of experience in public service, Evans has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the community. He served for three terms on the Elmsford Board of Education, rising to both Vice President and President. During his tenure, he also served on the Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association Board of Directors and was the Area 10 Director for The Caucus of Black School Board Members.
As a current Village Trustee, Evans has been appointed to the Westchester County Youth Advisory Board, where he continues to advocate for the needs of young people in the community. A graduate of Alexander Hamilton Jr./Sr. High School and Empire State College, Evans will receive his Master's in Public Administration & Policy from American University in December 2024. Evans' deep roots in Elmsford, diverse professional background, and passion for serving others make him uniquely qualified to lead the village into a future of opportunity and growth.
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