A construction firm with a horrendous track record in Peekskill has thrown its full weight behind the Peekskill Republican slate for office, led by Chris Hanzlik. Fourmen Construction is moving forward with a full-court press in support of Hanzlik and his Republican running mates. The company has  posted lawn signs supporting  the Republican slate at their Main Street headquarters, at the Paramount East-property which they purchased from the City under the Testa administration, and on the Crompond Road property  that  they were  forced to purchase after they destabilized a  private citizen’s home to such an extent that it had to be condemned.  Additionally, the company’s Vice-President of Operations, James Seckler, is a major donor to the campaign committee of Chris Hanzlik.

Fourmen Construction has a notorious development record in the City of Peekskill.  It was the developer who violated zoning laws and disregarded the specifications of the approved plans when it built the Cove Condominium Project  on Simpson and Requa Street.   Out of character and scale for the neighborhood it was built in, the Cove generated widespread opposition from residents. Fourmen was also the  developer that sat on the Gateway Project for over four years and which to this day remains undeveloped.

Chris Hanzlik, the GOP candidate for mayor, serves on the Planning Board and approved both the Cove Project and the Lincoln Terrace project that destabilized a man's home on Crompond Road. Fourmen Construction is also suing the City of Peekskill for stopping work on their out-of-scale project.

“It’s a sad statement that on the very land where Fourmen Construction destroyed a man’s home, a lonely Hanzlik for Mayor lawn sign now stands there,” said Democratic Chairman Darren Rigger.

“The GOP has put up a candidate for mayor who facilitated some of the most damaging development projects in the history of this City,” said Rigger. “And now the same developer  whose projects have decimating neighborhoods is pulling out all the stops to see him defeat Mayor Foster.”

Since taking control of City Hall, Democrats on the council have put in place more stringent construction and zoning ordinances to ensure development projects are not out of character with the neighborhoods they are being proposed in.

“If Chris Hanzlik couldn’t protect the interests of the city while serving on the Planning Commission, why should residents of Peekskill trust him to do so from the mayor’s office?” questioned Rigger. “Let’s just look at the record. Mr. Hanzlik served on the planning when this developer ran unchecked over Peekskill. Now he is receiving campaign contributions and political support from the very same developer who is also suing the City.”