VILLAGE REPUBLICANS NOMINATE WIENER, JOHANSON FOR TRUSTEE SEATS

(January 28, 2003) Village of Larchmont Republicans were in a celebratory mood

Philip A. Johanson and Mike Wiener, Republican candidates for Village of Larchmont Board

tonight in the courtroom in Village Hall as they nominated two candidates for trustee seats in the March 18 election. Current trustee Mike Wiener, who ran and lost last year but was appointed to fill newly-elected Mayor Ken Bialo's seat, was nominated again, joining Philip A. Johanson, a newcomer to elective politics. Trustee Chris Verni announced he will not seek re-election, citing "other obligations and responsibilities," including the imminent birth of his third child, around Election Day. Party Chairwoman Marian White and his fellow trustees praised Verni's hard work during his term, reminding the party faithful that he's not going anywhere. "In fact," White said, "He's hosting the kick-off party!"

"We don't usually see so many friendlies in the room," quipped Mayor Bialo, noting that his party was pleased to be able to hold its caucus in the courtroom this year, rather than across the street in the Senior Center, where the local Democrats were meeting. Stressing the Republican-heavy Board's accomplishments since taking office last April, Bialo said, "Service in a small municipality isn't about grand policies. It's about delivering, not dithering. It's not about us, it's about you."

Calling Mike Wiener "the salt of the earth, solid and well-grounded," the Mayor praised the trustee's wide knowledge of the Village's infrastructure and technology needs, as well as his courage as an "interior firefighter" (one who fights fires inside buildings). "Mike went down in that black hole of a basement during the Village Paint fire, with all the petroleum-based chemicals down there, fighting that fire. It's a pretty daunting thing, but Mike's that kind of guy. He knows so much about how things work in this Village. Mike's a great candidate. He'll win because he has the heart and the dedication." Trustee Liz Feld also spoke in support of Wiener, calling him "the most honest person I've ever worked with."

Feld then nominated Philip A. Johanson, a Larchmont native and son of long-time community activists. He is a Citigroup portfolio manager who intends to focus on budget matters if elected. He believes the Village should do more long-range budget planning, saying, "I believe my financial and investment experience, plus my participation on the Budget Committee, can be a tremendous asset in this critical economic time." A father of four and neighbor of Flint Park, he coaches Little Leage and Junior Soccer, and is in favor of continuing the renovation and improvement of the park. "My focus during the campaign is to listen to the people and find out what their needs and concerns are," he told the crowd. Johanson drew a laugh when he said he'd been so excited about the nomination that he forgot to eat dinner.

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