“Taking Back Carmel” Fundraising Dinner Features Democratic Congressman John Hall

The Town of Carmel Democratic Committee hosts dinner for candidates David Wilson and Marc Pekowsky

Mahopac, NY – The Town of Carmel Democratic Committee will present “Taking Back Carmel” on Saturday, September 12th – a fundraising dinner for David Wilson, Democratic Candidate for Carmel Town Supervisor, and Marc Pekowsky, Democratic Candidate for Carmel Town Council. The event will take place at the Desert Sun Restaurant in Mahopac, featuring guest of honor U.S. Congressman John Hall, Democrat, District 19.

A journalist with over 30 years of experience, Wilson operates his own business in Mahopac and has reported on municipal government for The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The Journal News. He currently writes for university magazines around the country and is a regular contributor to the Harvard Education Letter. Wilson, president of the 1,300-member Westchester Cycle Club since 2005, is co-founder of the Westchester Putnam Bike Walk Alliance. Wilson has also been endorsed by the Independence Party, the Working Families Party and The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body.

A public school teacher for 18 years, Pekowsky is a representative of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. He serves on the Board of Directors of The Putnam Arts Council and is active in numerous civic associations. Pekowsky and his wife live in Mahopac. He has also been endorsed by the Independence Party, the Working Families Party and The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body.

The contribution per person is $75.00 and includes a Southwestern Cuisine buffet, soft drinks, beer, wine and musical entertainment. A cash bar will also be available.

For reservations and tickets, please call 845-621-1051 or e-mail Marc(at)VoteMarc09(dot)com. For more information on the candidates, please visit www.wilsonforcarmel.com and www.votemarc09.com.

Kevin McConville Special Guest on Doc Rick's "When Your Health Matters"

Tune in to 920-AM, 1260-AM & 1420-AM @ 5pm to hear Putnam County Sheriff candidate Kevin McConville on Doctor Richard Huntoon's radio show, "When Your Health Matters". He'll be discussing safety in Putnam County.

Putnam’s Largest Labor Union Endorses David Wilson for Carmel Town Supervisor

The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body -- Putnam’s largest labor union organization -- has endorsed David Wilson, Democratic candidate for the Carmel Town Supervisor.

The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body represents 100,000 working men and women. Its affiliated unions represent teachers, firefighters, communication workers, electrical workers, nurses, painters, Civil Service Employees and Service Employees.

A journalist with over 30 years of experience, Wilson operates his own business in Mahopac and he has reported on municipal government for The Journal News, The New York Times and The Boston Globe. He currently writes for university magazines around the country and is a regular contributor to the Harvard Education Letter.

Wilson, president of the 1,300-member Westchester Cycle Club since 2005, is co-founder of the Westchester Putnam Bike Walk Alliance. He’s active in the Mahopac Sports Association and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Brewster. The father of two boys, Wilson lives in Mahopac.

“I’ve been in the trenches, writing about municipal government for 30 years,” said Wilson. “I know how government works and I know how to ask the right questions to fight for solutions to the tough issues that face our town.”

Wilson has also been endorsed by the Independence Party and the Working Families Party. For additional details, visit www.WilsonForCarmel.com.

AFL CIO Press Conference

Last Tuesday night was the AFL CIO press conference in Tarrytown, NY, where Kevin McConville, along with all the Westchester and Putnam County candidates, met to discuss their views. Here are just a few snapshots from the night.


Kevin McConville & the Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body President, Paul Ryan.

The Putnam County candidates.

Kevin McConville & Janet DiFiore.

All the Westchester & Putnam County candidates

Putnam County Debate at Temple Beth Shalom

Sunday, August 30th, the candidates for Putnam County Sheriff, Carmel Town Council, and Carmel Town Supervisor participated in a debate at Temple Beth Shalom in Mahopac, NY. Below you will find photos of the candidates in action:


Marc Pekowsky, Democratic candidate for Carmel Town Council.

Kevin McConville, Democratic Candidate for Putnam County Sheriff.

David McKay Wilson, Democratic candidate for Carmel Town Supervisor.

Putnam’s Largest Labor Union Organization Endorses Marc Pekowsky for Carmel Town Council

Putnam’s largest labor union organization, the Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body AFL-CIO, has unanimously endorsed Marc Pekowsky, Democratic candidate for Carmel Town Council.

The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body represents 100,000 working men and women. Its affiliated unions represent teachers, firefighters, communication workers, electrical workers, nurses, painters, Civil Service Employees and Service Employees.

A public school teacher for 18 years, Pekowsky is also a representative of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. He serves on the Board of Directors of The Putnam Arts Council and is active in numerous civic associations. He and his wife live in Mahopac.

“I am honored to receive this endorsement,” says Pekowsky. “As a proud union member myself, I both recognize and appreciate the contribution that unions have made to the lives of millions of working men and women by championing the causes of workplace safety, vocational training and collective bargaining. I look forward to working with the good men and women of labor as an elected official on behalf of the people of the Town of Carmel.”

Pekowsky has also been endorsed by both the Independence Party and Working Families Party. For further information about Marc Pekowsky and his candidacy for the Carmel Town Council, please visit www.votemarc09.com or you can contact him via email at Marc@VoteMarc09.com or call 914-260-1060.

Expensive Search for “Lost” Teenager Resulted from Lack of Training and Oversight Says Sheriff Candidate McConville

Cold Spring, NY, August 24, 2009 – Another case of incompetence in the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department recently involved a “lost” teenager who was actually locked up in the County jail. “This latest problem is another sad example of why we need professional, experienced and proven leadership in that law enforcement agency,” stated Democratic candidate for sheriff, Kevin McConville.

The current leadership of the Department approved a costly and unnecessary search by more than 100 volunteers, professionals, cars and a helicopter -- all at taxpayer expense. And all was wasted because the “lost” teenager was in the county jail.

What is the solution? Professionals believe that proper training and continuing oversight of law enforcement policies and practices are absolutely essential. First, though, it is essential to have a department sheriff who has experienced all the various stages of policing, from being a cop on the beat to chief of a large police agency.

“I’m running for sheriff with the commitment that effective training will be required for all deputies, and that oversight will be thoroughly planned and applied,” Kevin McConville stated. “We should never be in the position of not knowing who our detainees are and what their needs may be.”

There are specified procedures that should be followed when a defendant is remanded to the custody of the Putnam County Correctional Facility. First, appropriate screening procedures must be followed. New York State’s Commission on Corrections (SCOC) mandates a screening process, called a risk/medical assessment.

Such an assessment probably would have determined that the individual is developmentally challenged, which would require an examination by a medical professional. Thus, the needless costly search would have been stopped. The parents could have been notified and helpful in his treatment.

“If you choose to elect me as your sheriff, I commit to you that effective training will be a regular, continuing procedure,” said McConville. “Why do I believe this can be achieved in Putnam within the current budget?” McConville asked rhetorically. “Because, before I retired in January, I did these things routinely as Chief of the MTA Police Department, which has a staff of 768. And we can do them in Putnam County; all we need is a professional in the top job. I am confident I can handle that job, because as I have stated to everyone, ‘Bottom line, I’m a cop.’

“Maybe that’s why I’ve been endorsed over the incumbent by the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police…and also unanimously endorsed over the incumbent by the AFL-CIO Central Labor Body of Westchester and Putnam Counties.”

McConville concluded, “Together, we can build a ‘Safe and Secure Putnam.’”

For more information on Kevin McConville’s candidacy, visit www.kevinmcconville.com.

About Kevin McConville
Kevin McConville has 29 years of experience in law enforcement. He moved through the ranks rising from police officer to detective to captain and was appointed Chief of the MTA Police in 2005. McConville has served on the board of governors of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police and is active as a retired chief. He holds a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters degree in Public Administration from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Kevin is a lifelong resident of Putnam County and resides with his family in Cold Spring, NY.