28/10/2025
Via Chloé Wareham-Gordon
*Disclaimer: This is my firsthand experience and perspective about what has been happening in Peekskill’s political scene. Everything that follows reflects my direct observations, interactions, and opinions.
Sharing an unsolicited personal essay on this current local election, as prompted by my ADHD, and to provide some insight to whoever finds my ruminations of value:
Back in 1997, Darren Rigger wrote a Letter to the Editor blasting politicians for wasting taxpayer money on political junk mail. He said they should focus on helping the middle class instead of self-promotion. Fast-forward almost thirty years—and now his own face is on glossy mailers flooding Peekskill.
Sure, it’s not taxpayer-funded this time—but it’s the same idea. The same waste. The same performative politics he once condemned. Instead of getting out and meeting people, he’s sitting back, skipping debates, and towing the party line. He was so happy to criticize politicians for doing exactly what he’s doing now—mailing out piles of glossy promises instead of showing up to face his constituents.
When I opened my mailbox today, I saw one of those flyers. Like I do with all junk mail, I went to toss it in the trash can by the mailboxes—and I noticed I wasn’t the only one. The bin was overflowing with them. Dozens of glossy, untouched flyers tossed by neighbors who are clearly just as tired of empty messaging as I am.
Look closely at the flyer. Their talking points—“safe neighborhoods,” “vibrant economy,” “a city where everyone has a voice”—sound nice, but they ring hollow. “Voice” is even printed smaller than the rest, like an afterthought. Maybe that’s fitting, because under their leadership, our voices really have been shrunk.
And they have the nerve to claim “leadership led by compassion.” Compassionate leadership? Sure—so long as you don’t challenge them on anything. The moment you ask for accountability or oversight, that “compassion” disappears.
Democrats have had full control of this city for nearly a decade. So let’s be honest—has the quality of life improved for everyone? Have rents gone down? Has affordability increased? Has transparency gotten better? Or have we just gotten more photo ops, PR language, and spin?
I’m a proud socialist who aligns politically with Bernie Sanders. I believe in compassion, accountability, and integrity in leadership. But what I’ve seen in Peekskill is the opposite: callousness, arrogance, and retaliation against anyone who dares to speak up. I can’t wait for them to stop retaliating against me for contributing to the end of the failed Weinrib & Connor DRI contract—by publicly exposing how inept it was and how much money the city was hemorrhaging through it. If they stopped retaliating, I wouldn’t even be thinking about them. I wouldn’t be punished financially or professionally by their network of connections. I’d be earning enough to finally move on and get out of here. But at this point, I have nothing left to lose—they’ve inadvertently created their own worst enemy.
This group acts like a clique—grown adults behaving like high-schoolers. It’s all ego and favoritism, more Regina George than public service. They treat critics as outcasts instead of listening to constructive feedback. It’s awful that we can’t even have a real, genuine debate between the council candidates. How are residents supposed to make informed decisions when our leaders refuse to engage?
The only people who’ve actually sat down and listened are Elena Walker, Garrett Dowd, and Ramon Fernandez, who’s challenging Mayor McKenzie for mayor. They’ve shown me respect and humanity where others haven’t. Charlie, another Democrat and one of the Common Council candidates running on the Democratic Party ticket alongside Mayor McKenzie, seems like a kind man—but I don’t see evidence he’d stand up to Vivian McKenzie and her crew if pressured to vote against the community’s interests. And Beverly, also a Common Council candidate running with McKenzie on the Democratic Party line, once spoke to me with kindness and warmth but now avoids me entirely—a complete 180 since aligning herself with the mayor.
I haven’t received an email response from Mayor McKenzie in nearly two years. I’ve sent many inquiries, even seen her at professional events—and still nothing. It’s reached a point where, as a resident and small-business owner, I don’t even feel comfortable raising basic concerns about things like litter at Fort Hill Park. That’s the same park where one of my ancestors was stationed during the Revolutionary War—a site where soldiers endured a freezing winter without enough food or clothing before being bombarded by the British and seeing the town raided. I walk those trails sometimes to reflect on sacrifice and resilience—and instead I find trash, beer cans, even a used vi****or.
I wish I could ask how we can incentivize better community stewardship, organize cleanups, or maybe even create public-service announcements to keep our parks clean while honoring the incredible local history here. But what’s the point? She’d ignore me anyway.
That’s not compassionate leadership. That’s bullying. And I hope someone sends this to her. I hope she reads it and truly asks herself what she wants her legacy to be. Does she want to retire comfortably in her three-story business and residential building while the rest of Peekskill struggles for work, housing, and basic dignity? Does she want her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to inherit a city where parks are neglected, infrastructure crumbles, and success depends on connections and silence? Where talent and integrity mean nothing unless you fit in with the clique? Does she want them to have to move away because they can’t afford to live in the city they grew up in?
Ok, but back to Mr. Rigger (who I was warned not to even call out or “face consequences” from old-school politicians—that’s not very democratic!) was writing op-eds before I could even walk—literally when I was a year and a half old. These folks are nearly twice my age, yet they won’t have a dialogue with me. They won’t act maturely. They don’t seem to have anything going for them except empty talking points.
Darren served just one term on the Common Council, and nearly twenty years ago, he ran an unsuccessful congressional primary campaign. He’s the definition of an establishment figure—a career political operative who keeps trying to claw his way back into relevance through mailers and titles. That’s not what Peekskill needs. We need people on the ground, not career politicians. We need leaders who understand what it means to actually work, struggle, and build something here—not just talk about it in slogans.
The same year as that 1997 junk-mail piece, Darren also published another editorial where he demanded that the local Republican put “People Over Party.” Funny, considering how quickly that principle was abandoned. And I’m sure he’ll probably come after me for saying this—he’s always been the attack dog of this crew. Am I afraid of him? Hell yeah. But, I’m more afraid of the sycophantic council that we’ll have at the beginning of 2026 that hasn’t indicated any intention to stand against the mayor when warranted. So, presumably, she’ll just have absolute control.
So yes—vote early. Vote now. And if you can’t bring yourself to vote Republican, leave that slot blank. Because even that sends a message: we’re done being ignored, done being silenced, and done being ruled instead of represented.
This was the first time in my life I didn’t “Vote Blue No Matter Who.” I couldn’t put my party allegiance over all the emotional pain the current mayor has caused me and presumably all the others who are actively suing her administration for discrimination/retaliation… 
Elena has shown up to NY Demands Action meetings on Good Cause Eviction and other tenant protections. She supports placing more solar panels about. She wants to provide true oversight and accountability. She wants more oversight of what’s happening in terms of the toxic brownfield development plans. What a topsy-turvy world! Someone I don’t agree with nationally aligns more with me in terms of local issues than the positively “Trumpian” (ironically—anti-dissent; all about political connections/loyalty) Blue Dog corporatists running in my own party. (Speaking of, Mr. Rigger accepted donations from Trump-backed PACs during his c. 2006 failed congressional bid. Yes, back then, he was a registered Democrat, but it still demonstrates that he is establishment through-and-through; a career politican and political consultant, versus a genuine community activist).
And I won’t forget how Ramon dressed up as Santa Claus (for free) to enchant kiddos at an after-school holiday party last year at Dunbar Heights. That’s who he is—someone who shows up for the community. He listens to anyone in need, regardless of their background or political affiliation. Ultimately, he wants what’s best for his family and community. I think he genuinely loves this community. 
Garrett has been a great neighbor. As he’s a lawyer, I asked him what I should do about a personal matter, and he offered me free advice with sensitivity and knowledge. I will always be grateful to him.
Beyond the nasty world of politics, I’ve seen ephemeral glimmers of goodness in our mayor. Her passionately speaking at local nonprofit events and reiterating the importance of uplifting those were underresourced in our community; the bittersweet tone in her voice reflecting on helping a terminal Make A Wish recipient have a tea party at the plaza—reviewing tearoom etiquette with them. I’ve seen her be very kind, but I’ve also seen her be extremely dismissive. It’s very jarring and inconsistent. Good leaders should be reliable, and able to take feedback without demonizing the messenger (at the bare minimum).
Peekskill deserves leaders who listen, not rule. Leaders who show up in person, not just on postcards. Let’s put People Over Party—for real this time.
