Liz, thank you. It is an honor and a privilege to accept the Republican nomination for Larchmont Village Trustee. Your support, your friendship, and your commitment and dedication to our residents have been an enormous inspiration in deciding to take on this challenge.

I’d like to thank my family and friends for being here to show their support, especially my wife, Lucy. I’m sure by the time March 18th comes around she’ll be ready for an unlisted phone number. I am sorry my father isn’t here to enjoy this moment. I remember how pleased he was, just two days before he passed away, when I brought him the news of Ken and Chris winning their Trustee races in 2001. I would also like to acknowledge Marian, Ken, Liz and Mike for their support. Finally, I would like to thank Chris for his two years of service to our Village as Trustee. As you have heard from Chris, his decision not to run for re-election is the reason I stand before you tonight. I have made the decision to enter the political arena not because I think Larchmont is headed in the wrong direction, but quite the opposite, I believe that, under the Mayor’s new leadership, we are moving forward with setting priorities, listening to our residents, and getting things done.

As I view local government, it is critical for our leaders to elicit feedback from our residents, what their concerns are, and what they see as priorities in the Village. My #1 priority over the next seven weeks of campaigning is listening to what our neighbors are saying, thinking and feeling. My candidacy is about listening to all viewpoints to help formulate what is best for Larchmont. On the issues, let me say a bit more;

I believe my financial and investment experience, plus my participation on the Budget Committee, can be a tremendous asset at this critical economic time. Our budgeting process should have a long-term outlook, developing an opportunity cost analysis to our capital spending needs. For these large-scale projects, there are two questions that need to be asked; “At What Price?” and “At the Expense of What Else?” Our budgetary resources are not endless, so we must make hard decisions. We should be allocating our residents tax dollars as prudently as possible. We also should understand the impact of our spending decisions, what we may be foregoing over the next 3-5 years based on what we do today.

I am strongly in favor of the continuing renovation and improvement plans moving ahead for Flint Park. The Park is a key asset of our Village, one of the reasons people move here. Having coached my children in LMLL and LJSL I am keenly aware of our need for more playing fields. Initial plans for renovations to the back of the park would add another Little League field, and better orient the soccer fields. It can also be more of a center for social interaction if we get new playground equipment installed and open up access along the waterfront. I believe the park can play an increasing role in fostering a sense of community in the Village.

The ongoing project to improve our Business Districts will require sound financial management, as this is a long-term, involved endeavor. In addition, I believe the initial phases of this work to improve infrastructure items like lighting and sidewalks should be expanded upon. A second phase should be evaluating a strategy to enhance storefronts and building facades, in conjunction with our merchants, Board of Architectural Review, and Beautification Committee.

The prospect of serving our Village as Trustee is an exciting one for me. I believe deeply in community service, and have experienced first hand the personal satisfaction of giving to the community. I look forward to meeting with all of our residents over the next seven weeks, and listening to what you have to say. Mike and I will do our absolute best to represent Larchmont, and we appreciate the confidence that you have shown in us tonight. Thank you.

Why Vote For Phil Johanson?

- The Village will benefit from my financial and investment experience, and in depth knowledge of the budgeting process.

- I have proven that serving this community is one of my priorities.

- As a parent of four in Chatsworth and Hommocks, I am in tune with the issues we face raising children in our Village.