Bedford Newcomer Enters Town Board Race

Having moved here three years ago, Luke Vander Linden may be a relative newcomer to the town of Bedford but has immersed himself in civic life. In recent months he has attended community organization meetings, town celebrations and forums and school board meetings.

If it appears he's doing it all for show in a run leading up to the election, Vander Linden, who lives in Bedford Hills, says that's not so.

"I like to be involved. I think staying at home and gardening and building a deck sounds great, and I'm sometimes envious of my friends who talk about having those experiences," he said. "But I like hearing what's going on, I like staying connected to my neighborhood and community. That's my focus now."

And if that means rising at dawn to meet a neighbor who's complaining about early-morning noise—a concern he heard voiced at a —Vander Linden said he'd do it.

"It's my neighborhood, it matters. I don't see why not," he said.

Vander Linden, 36, and his wife, Britta Vander Linden, also 36, are active politically. They met at a Young Republicans Club meeting, and she's currently managing Peter Michaelis' campaign for county legislator. Most weeknights find them together or separately attending an array of civic functions.

By day, Vander Linden works as a professional fundraiser as a partner and vice president at Carl Bloom Associates; he lectures on fundraising at New York University and previously worked at Thirteen/WNET. He is a board member of The Hundred Year Association of New York, which recognizes dedication to public service.

Vander Linden said one of the reasons he'd like a seat on the town board is to help preserve the small-town feel of Bedford—a characteristic he feels is in danger of slipping away. 

He gave the example of the to have community organizations bear the highway and police costs associated with hosting events in town.

"In the old days, you'd just get permission to block off the street and have volunteers stand in for you," he said. "Now organizations can't net any money from fundraisers because of the high cost of events. I'd like to work with groups and look at new ways of doing things."

In his comings and goings about town, the Texas native and former Brooklyn resident said he's not hearing too many complaints but feels the board could benefit from a fresh perspective.

"Lee Roberts has led the town with a very steady hand as far as economics," he said. "But I think now that the town’s finances are relatively secure, we need a new way of looking at things. It seems like we could benefit just by asking more questions," he said, adding that the town board rarely shows discord.

He'd also support bringing in new perspectives by limiting terms of service on town commissions and boards, thus increasing the number of possible participants in town governance—an. He said the town could advertise those vacancies better. 

"I think the town could improve upon its communications with residents, both in-person and through technology," he said. "An annual town forum is a great idea, but wny not monthly, or on a weekend, to allow more people to come?"

Though the current , Vander Linden said he is for the measure and the town should be preparing for its eventual implementation.

"I think the cap is a step in the right direction. I understand the concern around it, but doing nothing doesn’t fix the problem. I think there will be some movement toward mandate relief, and we may have some short-term pain, but I like the tax cap and think it could help fix the problem," he said.

Sharing services with school districts or other municipalities is one area Vander Linden said he'd like to explore as a cost-saving measure and way of reducing the size of government.

On other issues, such as the upcoming public hearing on , Vander Linden has a "try it and see" approach.

"These are the kinds of questions that I think should be asked at every meeting everywhere every time," he said. "I don’t know whether two hours or one hour parking in downtown Katonah will be worse or better – but there is the perception that it's not working right now, so let’s try something else. I would vote in favor it changing it just to try it," he said.

GOP slate to be announced Monday night

The full slate of GOP candidates for November elections will be announced tonight at a ribbon cutting for the new campaign headquarters for county legislator candidate, Peter Michaelis.

Bedford Supervisor Lee V.A. Roberts will attend and announce her own bid for re-election. Roberts said that Vander Linden would be an asset to the town board, and he is "an enthusiastic and intelligent young resident with a wonderful sense of humor." 

Don Scott, chairman of the Bedford GOP, told Patch he was confident Vander Linden had the skills to "help the town board raise their game."

"Luke is smart, energetic and involved. I have had the pleasure of working with him on several committees. I am amazed how quickly he has become an important part of so many organizations that make up the fabric of our Bedford community," said Scott.

The announcement and ribbon cutting will take place Monday night at 7 p.m. at 23 The Parkway in Katonah.

To read about the Bedford Democratic Committee candidates for town elections,