Currently our nation is as politically divided as any time in my life. Regrettably much of that acrimony and divisive political discourse has filtered down to the local level as well. We see it in school and town board meetings, read it in our local Op Ed sections, and hear it on television and radio. As a result of the relentless personal attacks, people become more entrenched and unwilling to compromise, less gets done and people with good ideas throw their hands up in frustration and leave the process. Frankly, most people are sick of politics as currently practiced.

We can do better -- we must do better.

With every election we have a choice; not just between candidates, but between unity and divisiveness. Too often elections serve to divide us rather than to unite us in common purpose. Regardless of the outcome of the November election, northern Westchester will remain politically diverse; both Republicans and Democrats will hold elective office. We will all need to work together.

My hope is that we can use the election for County Legislature to be a process to unite us: To provide a framework where people feel safe to discuss policy differences without having their integrity or motives questioned; to find ways to identify what unites us, rather than what divides us; to replace antipathy and antagonism with engagement and courtesy.

Northern Westchester played a vital part in the early days of our democracy. We owe it to that proud legacy, and to our children, to keep political discourse collegial so we can work together to face the challenges confronting our families and towns. I invite you to join me in this endeavor.