CANDIDATE FOR VILLAGE MAYOR:

LIZ FELD

Why I'm Running

(January 20, 2006) On January 14, I announced my candidacy for Mayor because I believe the Village of Larchmont needs new leadership. I intend to campaign on the issues and on my record of bringing people together to work towards common goals.

On several occasions over the past year, I told Republican Party Chair Marian White that I would not run for a third term as Trustee. At Ms. White’s request, and out of personal respect for her and the political process, I met with her on the morning of Thursday, January 5th. She conveyed that she and the Mayor would like me to run with the Mayor as a candidate for Trustee in the March election. I told her that I intended to run for Mayor myself. During the 2004 election, the Mayor expressed to a number of Republican supporters that it would be his last campaign for office.

During my meeting with Ms.White, I expressed my concern about the tone and future of the Village under Mr. Bialo's direction and conveyed my disappointment that the Republican Party had lost much of the momentum that we had worked so hard to build after our 2002 election, due to his dismissive and confrontational behavior with the community and some Village employees.

The Village deserves a Mayor who will change the tone from one of confrontation and bullying to one of spirited and open discussion of the issues and respectful debate. We need a Mayor who believes in efficient, transparent and inclusive government that encourages participation. Most importantly, we need to usher in a new era of respect for different points of view.

Over the past four years as Trustee, I have worked hard to deliver on my campaign promises of 2002. I followed through on my commitment to make a review of our outdated zoning code a top priority of the Village Board. I have forged a strong partnership between Village government and local merchants to help improve our business district. During the protracted and tense police contract negotiations in 2004-2005, I demonstrated my ability to bring people together from different points of view to be heard and treated respectfully and fairly. I have worked closely and effectively with residents on public/private partnerships, including the Flint Park Playground Committee. Through my role in LISWIC (a consortium of Long Island Sound shore communities) I have developed relationships, experience, and knowledge of issues that affect us beyond Village borders. As liaison to the Parks & Trees Committee, I have advocated rejuvenation of our Village parks and look forward to making a renovation of Constitution Park a priority over the next two years. I am proud of what I have done and my participation in all of the Board’s work. We have accomplished a great deal but there is so much more we can do.

My father was Mayor of the Village from 1976 to 1980, during an era of strong volunteerism, citizen activism, and wide community participation. And while we still have many dedicated volunteers, there is no question the Village has grown in complexity since then. The dramatic increase in residential construction; new State and federally imposed environmental regulations; and the expectations of a community that pays extremely high taxes to preserve our quality of life all contribute to the need to rely on professional expertise. Our volunteer base is strong but the Village needs administrative expertise, including the rehiring of a dedicated engineer (whose position is already in the Village budget), to meet our responsibilities.

Administrative help does not mean more bureaucracy. It would not create a barrier between the residents and the Village Board. Instead, it would allow for more efficient and effective government.

For the last two years, we have had uncontested elections. While those of us who serve would like to think it’s due to “customer satisfaction” the fact is people are reluctant to spend what precious time they have serving on a Village Board that appears to be mired in day-to-day management of the Village. Larchmont is blessed with a vast pool of talent and we need to figure out how to motivate more of that talent to participate in the government process.

As a lifelong participant in politics and civic affairs, I am honored to have served as Trustee for the past four years. During my first run for office, I ran on a platform of “People Before Politics.” It was not a campaign slogan. It is a principle that is essential to good leadership.

I am proud to run for Mayor on my record of accomplishments and my vision for how to improve the way the Village government can operate. I urge the Mayor to spare the community a campaign based on personal and baseless attacks that will divide this very special Village. The residents deserve better.