Candidates Share Views at LWV Forum

There’s a good reason the League of Woman Voters of Scarsdale calls their candidate’s panel a forum rather than a debate. Under Scarsdale’s Non-Partisan system the Citizens’ Nominating Committee selects candidates for nomination for Village trustee, minimizing the occurrence of contested elections and partisan politics.

As a result, at the LWV Forum held on Thursday March 8 there was virtually no disagreement among the three candidates selected by the CNC. On the panel were veteran trustees Kay Eisenman and Jonathan Mark who are seeking second two-year terms on the Board of Trustees and David Lee, who is running for the first time.

A fourth, independent candidate, Harry Reynolds, might have sparked some controversy, but he declined the invitation,

Scarsdale League President Marylou Green

Will you tell your children that you can't tell them why the mayor was elected because it's a secret?

When they ask you why you voted for the mayor, if you didn't know why the mayor was nominated, what will you say?

When they ask you why people vote for mayor and trustees when it seems no one ever runs against them, what will you say?

When they ask you if Scarsdale is a democracy in which the reason for electing everyone is a secret, what will you say?

If your children seem to be smiling at you in a kind and gentle way, and you ask them why they are smiling at you in that way, and they say, "It's a secret,” what will you say?"

The League’s carefully orchestrated format allows for candidates’ opening and closing statements, questions from the League to the panelists and questions from the audience. Since all questions are formulated before the discussion begins, many were repetitive and touched on subjects that the candidates previously addressed.

In her opening statement Trustee Eisenman explained that she has worked as a planner for Westchester County for 23 years, and in that capacity does environmental reviews of projects giving her a broad understanding of development and land use issues. As a trustee, she has grappled with similar projects and learned to listen carefully to all and evaluate evidence with an open mind. She chaired the Village’s Conservations Advisory Council for many years and is enthused about a new move to mulch leaves in place on Village lawns rather than blow them to the curb to be carted away. She believes this new initiative will cut costs for fuel and labor and benefit the environment.

David Brodsky, Miriam Flisser, Dan Hochvert

Through his work he has learned to listen carefully, draw out the facts, be fair and open-minded and treat others with respect.

Another Scarsdale native, Trustee Jonathan Mark said that his “Parents moved here in the early ‘50’s for many of the same reasons he likes Scarsdale today.” His father served on the TVCC and his mother was an elementary school teacher. Mark attended Dartmouth and Columbia Law School and initially turned his efforts toward his career, while supporting his wife’s volunteer work in the Village. He also said he has learned to listen and understand complex situations and said he would be honored to serve again.

When asked about what experiences qualified them to serve, Lee added that he is a “people person,” and is “approachable by the community.” Mark said, “I believe I understand process. Many times in hearing issues, the process is as important as the substance itself.” Eisenman explained that her work in the PTA allowed her to “get to know the Village from the ground up.” In addition to the PTA, she served on the board of the Scarsdale Adult School, the Board of Architectural Review and the Conservation Advisory Council, giving her “a good background to serve.”

As for challenges facing the board, Mark replied, “funding and prioritizing difficult issues,” and “getting the reval underway” if approved. For Eisenman, the primary challenge is “dealing with a difficult fiscal climate in light of the 2% tax cap,” and Lee mentioned, “storm water, drainage, flooding” and “sewer line maintenance and repair.”

The conversation then turned to flooding, when the panelists were asked what the Village can do to assist residents who have storm water damage. Mark said that the Village was expecting a plan in April to alleviate flooding in the Sheldrake River and would then consider issuing bonds to finance the work. Eisenman said that the Board can “make people aware of what they could get from FEMA,” and also said that the Village plans to line sewer pipes and maintain storm water sewers. A storm water project extending from George Field to Harcourt woods will help residents in Greenacres and Fox Meadow.

On the 2% tax cap, Lee said, “I agree with the Governor doing this as a reminder for fiscal discipline and allowing communities to override it as a safety valve.” Mark said, “I won’t say I disagree with the tax cap – and it certainly was a big factor (in budget discussions.) I do object that it caps taxes without capping mandated expenses such as the pension fund. The State did not address what is driving up taxes and forced the Villages to make difficult decisions. I am not a big fan of the way in which it was implemented.” Eisenman said, “the Governor did this to make municipalities consolidate. The 2% cap is not really 2% because it excludes some expenses including pension increases above 2% and a growth factor.” Without the cap, we probably would have come up with the same budget as we did.”

In her closing statement, Eisenman gave a nod to the Non-Partisan system, saying, “I think that the Non-Partisan system is the reason that Jon, David and I are sitting here. I had never contemplated being a trustee, but was asked by the Mayor to serve. We are fortunate to have that system because it is not a political system but brings out people who want to serve. I am grateful for that system.”

Village Justice John Galloway, who has already served for 17 years, will run unopposed for another term. In his remarks he said, I am very pleased to be nominated for another four-year term. I have had 17 years as Village Justice and have enjoyed it.

The Village election will be held at Scarsdale Library on Tuesday March 20th from 6-9 am and 12 – 9 pm. Absentee ballots are available at Village Hall.

(Pictured at top: Daivd Lee, Kay Eisenman, Jonathan Mark and John Galloway)