Burke & McCracken Battle for Legislative Dist. 8
By Holly Crocco
Democrat Gwen Burke and Republican Tanner McCracken are running for election to Putnam County Legislature District 8, which represent parts of Mahopac and Carmel.
Gwen Burke
Gwen Burke has been in public service for most of her adult life, having worked for MTA Bridges & Tunnels (a public authority) as a senior engineer overseeing roadway and bridge construction at the Whitestone Bridge.
“During my last year at the authority, I was the project manager for finalizing the multimillion-dollar administration building at the bridge,” she said. “I still take pride in it when I drive past the building today. Later, as a public high school teacher for almost 15 years, I instilled a love of math and science in my students, who were often underserved students.”
Currently, Burke is an engineer in the private sector, working with municipalities in an effort to solve problems related to hazardous/medical/municipal waste, air pollution, drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater. She has also worked to redevelop brownfield sites, restoring community value to once abandoned properties.
She has volunteered in Mahopac as a Girl Scouts leader, treasurer, and cookie chairperson.
“Seniors are struggling to meet housing, medical, and transportation needs,” she said. “I know what our kids need to succeed. I want to make sure they have the resources to do so right here in Putnam County, with choices in higher education, job and career opportunities, and workforce housing that will enable them to grow their future right here.”
Burke said the county needs to lower the cost of living, properly distribute tax dollars through improved management and economic development, and provide professional oversight of land, air, and water resources.
“I will work with my fellow legislators and town/village representatives to form consortiums to get work done, bringing my experience in navigating government regulations and applying for grant funding to advance projects,” she said. “And I would bring our county and towns together to create a living, breathing comprehensive strategic plan to help guide our work.”
Burke said the county’s large fund balance should be invested back into the county and towns.
“There has been little or no economic development in Putnam and it is sorely needed,” she said. “The community college and the trades training center that (county executive candidate) Yarris proposes is a perfect example of what this county needs, because it keeps our tax money and our kids at home, while generating new small businesses around it, benefiting the county’s overall economy.”
One focus area should be a complete study of infrastructure throughout the county – to plan for proper economic growth to provide jobs and housing, noted Burke.
“We should assess the redevelopment of underutilized or abandoned properties within the county, to create an inventory of assets available for properly planned and staged economic growth,” she said. “We also need to look into promoting our strengths – boosting tourism budgets to drive economic growth.”
In addition, the candidate said the county needs to increase the budgets for services already funded.
“We need to give back to our seniors who built our communities and are now struggling to live out their lives here,” she said. “Provide additional funding for needed services related to domestic violence prevention and mental health care. Pay the county employees – who we all rely on – a competitive wage. Increase spending on vital programs for food provisions for those suffering from food insecurity, and paramedicine services for the elderly and for those who cannot get to a doctor. Expand Putman on Demand transit services to assist those who cannot drive to work, the store, or a doctor’s appointment, as traditional bus routes do not work in most of Putnam County.”
As an environmental scientist, Burke said she understands the importance of protecting farmers and farmland.
“I will start by getting out and meeting with the farm owners to learn about their current needs,” she said. “I will work with the farmers to provide stormwater assistance to protect their lands from increasingly damaging storms. Resiliency grants and programs are available to support Putnam’s farmers, and I can use my expertise to assist in promoting and applying for this funding.”
The candidate said there are many opportunities to support small businesses that are passing Putnam by.
“We have to work to build a portfolio of what is available to be redeveloped – school properties no longer needed, abandoned commercial sites, and oversized parking lots that are no longer necessary,” she said. “These properties can be subdivided and repurposed to meet the county’s needs for commercial and housing development.”
Burke said Putnam must continue to find ways to address the mental health crisis.
“The Department of Social Services budget must be expanded where possible to meet these goals,” she said. “Additional funding must be provided to CoveCare, NAMI, the Westchester/Putnam Women’s Resource Center, and other mental health providers in Putnam. And just as important, funding must be provided to our sheriff’s department and other emergency services providers to ensure they are equipped to handle the worst of what they see on a daily basis.”
She supports a crisis stabilization center – similar to the one in Dutchess County.
“A place for people who are overwhelmed, where they can walk-in voluntarily at any time to talk to a counselor or find the resources they need,” she described. “Other support for our residents could be the staffing of a Monile Crisis Unit and expanded use of the current paramedicine program, to help those in crisis and those who struggle on a daily basis.”
Tanner McCracken
Tanner McCracken has served the last six years on the Mahopac School Board.
“In 2020, at just 20 years old, I ran for office because I believed there was not enough emphasis on teaching kids real-life skills, the board lacked transparency, and taxpayers were not getting enough accountability for the money they were spending,” he said. “I ran to bring fresh energy and conservative change to the board, and I am proud of the record I built over my six years in office.”
McCracken said he led the effort to make personal financial literacy a graduation requirement, wrote and passed dozens of policies to increase transparency and parent involvement, and consistently stood up for taxpayers.
“There were times when I was the lone ‘no’ vote against property tax increases,” he said. “I didn’t go along to get along. I fought for what I believed was right.”
In addition to his elected service, McCracken has spent more than five years working in the State Senate, currently serving as a top staffer to Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “That experience has given me an extensive background in legislative policy, constituent services, and the inner workings of government,” he said.
The candidate said he’s running for county legislator because too many families are being taxed out of their homes, too many seniors are struggling to afford to stay in the communities they spent their lives building, and too many young families are finding that the American dream is slipping out of reach.
“When I look at the current Legislature, I see many of the same problems I saw when I first ran for school board in 2020: a lack of transparency, self-serving politicians, and complacency,” he said.
McCracken said It’s time to stop assessment-driven tax hikes from forcing people out of their homes; fight to cut property taxes; support long-term fiscal planning; expand tax relief for seniors, veterans, and first responders; deliver bold ethics reform; and livestream and record every public government meeting.
“I’m running to stand up for everyday people, not cater to the political insiders,” he said. “I believe public office is about serving people, not serving those in power.”
McCracken said the county’s reported fund balance represents years of over-taxation of the community. “Assessments have spiked, taxes have been hiked, and taxpayer dollars have been hoarded away,” he said. “I’m running to give taxpayers their money back in the form of meaningful tax relief, while making better investments in the services and infrastructure our community relies on.”
A self-proclaimed fiscal conservative, he said the county has a responsibility to maintain healthy reserves and protect the county’s long-term financial stability. “But the current fund balance is more than double what I believe is a responsible reserve level,” noted McCracken. “Inaction in the face of over-taxation in the midst of an affordability crisis is not an option.”
McCracken said he’s proud that during his time on the Mahopac School Board he’s built a record of delivering results for students, parents, and taxpayers.
“I am particularly proud of leading the effort to make personal financial literacy a graduation requirement, ensuring that every Mahopac graduate leaves high school with the real-world skills to manage their money and build a financially secure future,” he said. “I helped deliver $7.5 million in school tax levy savings, including back-to-back budgets with 0 percent tax levy increases.”
Transparency was another cornerstone of his tenure, said McCracken.
“I wrote and passed policies that fundamentally changed how the school board operated, bringing meetings and important deliberations out from behind closed doors and into the public eye,” he said. “By the time I left office, every public meeting – including committee meetings – was recorded and live-streamed.”
McCracken said the county needs to support local farms and the families who operate them, and take a good, hard look at Putnam’s agricultural districting process.
“It’s been nearly 20 years since that process was implemented, and we should examine whether it still serves our farmers effectively,” he said. “Rather than politicians posturing about what they think is best for our farmers, we should be asking farmers what they actually need.”
The candidate said economic development needs to be a priority. While other communities throughout the Hudson Valley have found ways to attract private investment, create jobs, and revitalize their downtowns, he said Mahopac has fallen behind.
“We need to roll up our sleeves and get serious about attracting businesses and investment to our community,” said McCracken. “That means cutting unnecessary red tape, making strategic infrastructure investments, and creating an environment where small businesses and entrepreneurs can thrive. We can encourage economic growth while preserving the character and charm that makes Mahopac so special.”
While McCracken said he recognizes the importance of making sure those who are struggling with mental illness have access to the care and support they need – particularly among young, he would like to “pump the brakes” on establishing a new mental health crisis center in Putnam until leaders evaluate the resources already invested in.
“Putnam County spends millions of taxpayer dollars on mental health services and related programs, including local grants, Youth Bureau initiatives, and other community-based services,” he said. “We have a responsibility to evaluate existing programs, identify gaps in services, and determine whether there are better, more cost-effective ways to help people.”
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