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At a campaign kick-off on Saturday in the middle of downtown Peekskill, Westside Neighborhood resident and activist Kenneth Martin launched his campaign for mayor, citing a need to restore civility and leadership to what he calls a broken City Hall.
Martin, a 22-year resident of Peekskill, has been a longtime resident of Simpson Place. He worked aggressively with neighbors to successfully protect Peekskill’s Westside neighborhood from a developer who was allowed to violate zoning code to build a three-story condominium complex.
Joining Martin on the ticket is Peekskill resident Andre “Noodle” Rainey, a 31-year old Peekskill artist and local celebrity whose hip hop sound has taken Peekskill by storm. Rainey owns his own entertainment company, Noo Moves Entertainment, and has devoted his efforts in the community to providing youth opportunities and mentorship to young men.
Running for re-election to the Common Council are Kathleen Talbot and Vivian McKenzie. Talbot and McKenzie were instrumental in the planning and dedication of the Peekskill Landing Park, the construction of the Holiday Inn Express on John Walsh Blvd, and fighting to keep their Republican colleagues on the Common Council from raising taxes by up to 8 percent, ensuring the city stayed within the state-mandated tax cap.
Talbot, a resident of the Fort Hill neighborhood, is well known as one of the most accessible members of the Common Council, making herself available to residents, neighborhood associations and networks, as well as arts, business, and educational organizations.
McKenzie, owner of Kathleen’s Tea Room, is running for re-election to a four-year term. A member of two of Peekskill’s longest established families, the Bridgewaters and the Jamisons, McKenzie is currently the only African-American serving on the Peekskill Common Council.
She has taken a keen interest in ensuring that issues of inclusion and diversity are addressed in City Hall.
Over the next several weeks Martin, Rainey, Talbot and McKenzie will be laying out their agenda for the City of Peekskill, meeting with residents, businesses, and community organizations and other stakeholders to present their vision for a more positive Peekskill.
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