Patch Candidate Profile 2023: Richard Becker For Cortlandt Supervisor

CORTLANDT, NY — In November, voters in the town of Cortlandt will go to the polls to decide some races, including who will be the next supervisor.

Dr. Richard Becker, 70, a Democrat from Cortlandt, is running for re-election to a second term in supervisor. He is being challenged by Republican Warren A. Smith Sr. Becker is also running on the Working Families Party line, and Smith is also running on the Concerned Taxpayers Party line.

Becker is a cardiologist and previously served on the Town Board and on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

He is married and has two children.

Campaign website: www.Cortlandt2023

To help the public get to know the candidates for Cortlandt town supervisor, Patch sent them same set of questions. Here are Becker’s responses.

Why are you seeking this office?

I have served the town of Cortlandt as a physician/cardiologist at Hudson Valley Hospital for most of my career, including my role as Chief of Staff. I subsequently worked at Phelps Hospital as vice president and as a clinical cardiologist. I have devoted my working life to the town of Cortlandt, on voluntary committees, as an appointee and as an elected official. After just one term as supervisor, we have many successes under our belt, but there is so much more to be done, and I’d like to finish the job that I’ve started.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

My opponent, while a good man, has no municipal experience. He has served on no standing committees, nor has he ever been appointed or elected to any office. Municipal government is complicated, managing a workforce of over 225 employees, and a very large budget. Being supervisor is like being a CEO. It requires years of experience before taking the helm.

What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

Public Safety remains a primary concern of our residents and I am very proud of the changes we have made to our local police force. We have re-envisioned the county police presence, including renaming the barracks here at Town Hall "the Cortlandt Precinct" as well as emblazoning our patrol cars with the name Cortlandt Police. Most importantly, we have hired two new police officers— a Community Resource Officer (Off. Mahadeo) and Community Policing Officer (Off. Ramos). Our police coverage has grown by over 150%, and crime is significantly down in Cortlandt.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I will maintain the tradition of keeping our taxes low, and no other community can boast an on average tax increase of 1%. We are the best in the state!

I will also work to keep our town safe, maintain our roads and public services at their best, and attract new businesses to town. We will also provide tremendous recreational activities for our youth, adults and seniors. And we will maintain transparency, via our weekly email newsletter.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

1) We have maintained the tradition of keeping our taxes low, while increasing services to our residents. We have maintained, on average, a 1% increase in property taxes. This is far below the 2% tax cap established by NY State as well as other communities in our State.

2) We fought an uphill but successful battle for the residents of Coachlight Square, who were able return to their homes after a devastating fire, and then victimized a second time by unscrupulous contractors. They are all now safely back in their homes.

3) We continue to grow our town’s infrastructure, as well as recreational opportunities. We successfully built the town’s first outdoor ice-skating rink, we are adding five new pickleball courts on Memorial Drive near the train station, and we are building a performance stage at the Cortlandt Waterfront Park in Verplanck. And, we have plans to upgrade each and every one of our recreational fields, for baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse. A brand-new children’s playground will open this spring at the Cortlandt Waterfront Park. All of this accomplished by securing grants, not local taxpayer money!

4) The Town Board hosted a successful Rally To Save The River on May 6, against Holtec’s plans to discharge radioactive water into the Hudson River. This rally, attended in a bipartisan fashion by all congressmen from New York City to Albany succeeded and led to legislation, signed by Gov. Hochul, prohibiting the discharge of radioactive water into any waterway. We are winning this battle!

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen to everyone, but then trust your own judgment to make the right decisions.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

It has been an honor and the pleasure of my life to serve this community as your supervisor, and I am seeking your support to continue in this role for another term.

Editor's note: The candidate's responses have been lightly edited for style.