Ellen
Calves
Experienced.
Engaged. Effective.
MEET ELLEN
Ellen Calves is running to be re-elected as Town Supervisor because she has a vision for Bedford and the skills and experience to bring this vision to life.
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Ellen has always been about community-building and her vision for Bedford is rooted in a strong belief that communities are better when people come together and make decisions that are good for everyone.
Realizing Sustainability
Ellen has helped make Bedford an environmental leader in the state while improving the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of our residents. She has led countless community campaigns to reduce energy waste, increase recycling and reuse, improve air and water quality, increase clean energy, promote sustainable food, and protect natural resources.
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As a community leader Ellen helped pass the town’s reusable bag legislation and she chairs the town’s Climate Smart Communities team, and brought food scrap recycling to town.
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As a former environmental attorney and sustainable fund manager, Ellen understands the complexities as well as the cost benefits of sustainable infrastructure and initiatives and brings this insight and experience to her work in Bedford.
Improving Quality of Life
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​As Supervisor, Ellen responds to resident issues and concerns daily to address quality of life issues.
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Through prudent financial management, Ellen has helped the Town maintain its AAA bond rating and keeps taxes under the tax cap.​
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Enhancing walkability and recreation, Ellen led the final acquisition of Buxton Gorge, Reyburn Preserve, and the improvement and expansion of sidewalks in the hamlets.
Ellen worked with residents and cell carriers to find the least intrusive locations for cell towers to bring service to dead zones in town.
Dedicated to Community
From her early years as a community organizer and environmental attorney, to her working at Bedford 2030 to organize neighbors, government, and organizations around healthy, clean, and resilient initiatives, to serving on the Bedford Town Board, and as Supervisor Ellen has been deeply involved with community members to drive progress.
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As the current Bedford Town Supervisor, Ellen loves to attend and support community events. She collaborates with businesses and helped launch the Bedford Hills Business Association; she gathers not for profit leaders quarterly to support and encourage cross-efforts, and she works to lift up volunteerism and service to promote an engaged community.
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Each Friday Ellen sends a robust newsletter to the community which provides updates and transparency into work at the town,and offers opportunities for engagement to all.,
Bringing Vitality
Ellen collaborates with the Chamber, Business Associations and civic groups to seize opportunities to make our hamlets hubs of community, cultural, and economic activity. By otbaining a grant from Westchester County Ellen is working to improve the appearance, signage, and community events in Bedford Hills. She is also working with the MTA to bring a cafe tenant to the Bedford Hills Train Station to create a community gathering space. Ellen worked to help create solutions to get our businesses back open and outdoor dining expanded during COVID and is now driving efforts to bring economic vitality and beautification through partnerships with Economic Development entities, nonprofit organizations, business groups, and Bedford's business promoter. Ellen is working with stakeholders on long term smart growth initiatives.
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Welcoming and Inclusive
Ellen worked with community members to launch an initiative to make our town neurodivergent-friendly. Town employees, police, and first responders were trained and the initiative has grown into a town wide effort, training businesses and cultural centers to be more inclusive.
Obtaining a grant from the state Ellen and her colleagues enhanced Bedford Hills with an accessible and inclusive playground.
Ellen led the effort to re-certify the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester as a Welcoming Congregation by facilitating workshops, providing education, and conducting an audit of congregational practices to ensure inclusion, diversity and a welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ members, friends and visitors.
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Ellen is committed to undoing racism in our community and works to ensure that everyone regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, or socioeconomic status feels heard, welcome, and included in town government and throughout our town.
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Legislative Leader
​​Ellen is a District Leader for the Bedford Democratic Committee and enjoys helping Democrats get into office and going door-to-door to hear from people in our community.
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Ellen graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame and graduated with high honors from Emory University School of Law with a JD. She lives in Katonah with her husband, Heberto. They have three children and a crazy dog.
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A qualified, dedicated, and effective community leader, with a proven track record of success, Ellen is doing a great job as our Town Supervisor. Let's get her re-elected!
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If you would like more information, to speak to Ellen about issues important to you and collaborate with our engaged team of volunteers, click the buttons below to get started. Remember to vote on Election Day, November 7.