Letters

This year, for the first time in history, there are three candidates running for mayor of North Haven. In short, this is a very important election for the future stewardship of North Haven, and the residents need to fully trust the integrity of the candidate they will select.

It is also important that this (and every) election be run in a fair and transparent manner, and on a level playing field for all candidates. As such, there are strict state and federal election laws designed for those purposes. These laws apply to all candidates running for office, even at the local village level.

Unfortunately, the two candidates running on the North Haven Party, Trustee Chris Fiore and Deputy Mayor Dianne Skilbred, have chosen not to abide by the State of New York Board of Election laws and failed to file the required financial disclosure forms on May 20. The other candidates running for elected office in North Haven, including myself, Trustee Claas Abraham and Jack Reiser, all met our obligations and filed the required forms on time.

Chris also ignored the FCC Communication Act, which stipulates that the on-air appearance of a (radio) station employee while they are a candidate for election triggers equal opportunities for airtime by opponents of that candidate — even if the station employee never mentions his or her candidacy. Yet he continued to host his twice-weekly radio show on WLNG after becoming a qualified candidate for mayor. Ironically, it was Chris who informed me of the FCC Communications Act a year ago. He clearly knew the rule but chose to ignore it.

Chris has accused me of being petty and unkind. As an elected official, I did not feel I could look the other way. These are serious matters. I reported such violations to the appropriate bodies.

If a candidate cannot demonstrate that they can abide by the state and federal election laws then how can they be trusted to run the village as mayor with integrity? I believe it is important that all candidates running for public office adhere to the rules that are clearly written. Ignorance is not an excuse.

I wrote these words on my website weeks ago and today, I repeat them: I have always tried to be honest, trustworthy, ethical and a person of high integrity. These are characteristics everyone should want for the next mayor. These are North Haven values.

I urge the residents of North Haven to vote for me for mayor on June 21. I can guarantee the residents of North Haven that I am abiding by the election rules and beyond, and will serve North Haven in your best interest with integrity.

Terie Diat

Trustee

North Haven Village

Diat is a candidate for mayor in the village election — Ed.