Good evening, and welcome. It is hard to believe a year has gone by. I would like to thank all of you for coming out and supporting us this evening. I also want to thank the many people behind the scenes that make a campaign work. Obviously, Ken and Liz get my thanks and heartfelt appreciation for going through this in their “off” year. Marian White, party chair, devotes much time ensuring that the candidates are always putting the best foot forward. Thanks, however, would not be complete if I did not mention Linda Banta, Nadine Rote, Kate Bialo and all the other people for their unwavering support. Last but most important I want to thank my family, and in particular my wife Leslie for her generosity in sharing me with the village for all these years.

When I stood here last year, I was a newcomer to the election process. I had strong ideas, some trepidation, and a keen desire for work. It has been a busy year, between the election process and the nine months actually spent as trustee. I would like to take a moment and reflect on the accomplishments that we have completed in the past nine months.

As a board, we began to define answers to thorny problems with policy decisions so that related issues are dealt with in a consistent manner. This is most evident with the policy concerning the use of public right of ways.

During the previous campaign we heard that government was not responsive. As a result office hours were started. We provided an organized forum so individuals could sit informally with the Village Board and discuss issues people were uncomfortable airing in a televised board meeting.

The 2020 report had been published just prior to last year’s campaign. We reviewed this document and about the only argument we had with it was that it was called a 2020 report implying twenty years to implement the recommended changes. I believe it should have been called the 2004 report. We have looked at the report and are determining how to implement the recommendations.

Specific examples abound but I just want to touch on a few of the more visible changes. We implemented the clean streets initiative. This not only involved stepping up the frequency of cleaning and disposal but also that of enforcement with current ordinances.

We are currently addressing concerns with overbuilding and obsolete zoning. Our strategy has highlighted the principle of inclusion. We have taken great pains to ensure that there is representation from all the land use boards and village engineering staff, to ensure a broad consensus and a strong talent pool to tackle the issues.

I personally spent a great deal of time spearheading both the design and installation of a new heating system as well as managing the installation of a new telephone system at Village Hall.

My favorite accomplishment has been the improvements made in the public safety arena. The enactment of an ordinance requiring sprinklers in all new residences is an example of how village government can work to promote safety without imposing a great burden.

However, resting on one’s laurels has never been one of my strong suits, so I want to follow up with where I believe we need to continue.

One of the most difficult problems facing all levels of government is managing the environmental issues facing us. Right now we are facing a March 10th deadline for compliance with the new phase 2 storm water regulations. This is just the beginning. After March 10th we must follow through on what we said we were going to do. The board appointed a village environmental committee to help tackle these issues. These issues transcend water and boundaries. We created the village environmental committee to help understand the local issues, but we must also be mindful of the regional issues, and regulations around us.

Flooding has been another issue in the Village. I have been working with New Rochelle to help solve the Pine Brook area problems, and we have made great progress. We need to keep working the issues, both in the Pine Brook and other flood prone areas in the village.

Public Safety is an area that hopefully is never in the forefront of our issues list, because, if managed properly, we will all take it for granted. My experience, and focus in this area will help ensure that the village remains vigilant.

Up to now I have been discussing the local needs and services of Larchmont. I feel that the members of the local government also must play a role in a larger fishpond. The local officials must become a conduit and forum concerning issues that are larger than just Larchmont but impact the village. We must continue to communicate the views of the village up to the county, state and federal officials to help shape the policy that will ultimately affect us. As an example, we have been very vocal about our views of the county tax proposals. We have asked for the same level of budget restraint as we impose on ourselves. We have stated that the systems must be fair, and used to fund needed programs, not wanted programs.

I believe Phil Johanson and I have both a strong message and the skill to implement it. In order to make this happen we need your support. I look forward to working with all of you to continue what we started last year.

Thank you.