CANDIDATE FOR VILLAGE MAYOR:

MARLENE KOLBERT - Democratic Caucus Speech

(January 31, 2006) Last summer I had decided that unless there was a possibility of change in leadership in the Village, I would not run for another term. While Larchmont has a strong mayor form of government, that should not include being disrespectful and bullying toward fellow trustees and Village personnel. Here’s a small example: For four years I have asked our mayor not to smoke during our work sessions. Village personnel who smoke have to stand outside in the cold for their cigarettes and yet my repeated requests to Ken Bialo to stop smoking in our work sessions fell on deaf ears. This type of behavior took a toll even on fellow Republicans and I’m not telling you any secret when I say that Liz Feld is down at Legion Hall attempting to win the nomination of her party to run as Mayor. After many years of asking Jim Millstein to run on our ticket, he’s agreed and I saw the opportunity to change the dynamics in the Village and that’s why I’m here seeking re-election.

As you may know, in addition to the responsibilities we fulfill in our roles as Trustees, Larchmont trustees also serve as liaisons to various committees and commissions. Instead of using the expertise I gathered from being a 15 year veteran of the Larchmont Traffic Commission, other trustees have been appointed as liaisons to the Traffic Commission. If your alarm system goes off accidentally, I’m the liaison to the Alarm Review Committee. I’m liaison to the freshwater wetlands commission, but we have no freshwater wetlands. Having tried to sideline me, I have tried to use my liaison assignments in creative ways. For example, I serve as liaison to the Ambulance Advisory Board of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Ambulance District. Some of the issues raised there prompted me to ask Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe to join me in visiting John Spicer, Administrator of Sound Shore Medical Center to open a dialogue that would lead to improved services for our residents. In an emergency, Larchmont is in the Sound Shore Medical Center catchment area.

In my first year on the Board I was the taxi liaison. Having established a relationship with the taxi company owners, that liaison assignment was moved to Anne McAndrews. However, Anne and I colluded and I continued unofficially as taxi liaison. This year we passed a new taxi law and I helped negotiate new contracts,( last negotiated in 1998) as well as bringing a new taxi company to the Village.

The Committee on the Arts has been providing summer concerts in the Flint Park for many years. As liaison, I met with Nili Asherie who has always done an outstanding job and we found new young members who loved the idea of a Village Art Show. Palmer Davis and Caren Gerszberg spearheaded an effort that has been extraordinarily successful and the community looks forward each fall to the Larchmont Art Festival.

When I joined the Board, relations with the Fire Department seemed abysmal. Liz Feld and I reached out to the Chiefs of the FD and established a dialogue. Our discussions helped lead to a resolution of one of the major concerns of the leadership; planning for a new fire truck – a major acquisition. In addition, the complaints about the terrible condition of the kitchen and bathroom for the paid staff had been festering. The board approved designing new facilities, but somehow there was no architect willing to design the kitchen and bathroom. I called an architect acquaintance who does work in the Village (doesn’t live in the Village) and took him down to the FD. Voila, we had that on the road. And neither Liz nor I were liaisons to the FD but saw an opportunity to work together on an issue of major importance to the life of the Village.

I have worked with Noam Bramson, the new mayor in New Rochelle to start a film series at New Roc which would bring movies not usually seen in the sound shore area. Our first stab was in the fall of this year. In addition I have talked with Noam about traffic issues which might occur as a result of the new Marshalls coming next to the Palmer Ave. Stop & Shop and our concerns about overbuilding in New Rochelle which would change the character of the area. I continue to monitor Davids Island and attended the groundbreaking last summer which signaled the start of the cleanup of the island. Among my other environmental activities, I helped the Flint Park Conservancy obtain a member item for their playground from Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and worked with the Greenway in planning a 15 mile loop for hikers and runners that, when completed, will connect up areas from the Eastchester border to the Harrison border. . Noise overhead from airplanes continues to be an issue and I’ve worked with the Quiet Skies Committee through Nita Lowey’s office. I urge everyone here tonight to attend the meeting with the FAA at Murray Avenue School on February 9th. Check the Larchmont Gazette for more details .

I thoroughly enjoy working with the Library Board as its liaison. Diane Courtney, Bill Dentzer and the Library Board (including my running mate, Jim Millstein) do an extraordinary job providing quality library services to our community. Unofficially, I keep track of the Friends Activities and report on them at all Village Board meetings.

Shortly after I joined the Board, Carmine Deluca let it be known that he would be leaving his job as Village Treasurer. After 30 plus years on the job, Carmine also served as our de facto Village Administrator. I requested a thorough discussion about what the Village should be considering in replacing Carmine. That conversation never took place and we simply made a new appointment for the job of Treasurer

The regulations coming down from all the federal and state level which deal with issues like water pollution and sewage treatment have made it clear to me that Larchmont needs a Village Administrator. I totally agree with Liz Feld who has articulated her stand on this matter. At this moment we have neither an Administrator nor a Village Engineer. We need staff to manage to the day to day affairs of the Village, while, we the Board of Trustees look at policy issues and plan for the future. We have an aging infrastructure, increasing taxes and problems which need our attention. We’ve begun some assessment of the Pine Brook flooding problems, but any fix will undoubtedly require assistance from other levels of government. Another sign of the changing times in our volunteer oriented Village is that all sorts of recreation activities previously run by volunteers, now often are shepherded by a paid part-time Recreation Director .

In Larchmont, we live cheek by jowl and have to try to retain as much open space as we possibly can. We have to find as many opportunities as possible to work together with our neighbors and still retain the character of Larchmont Village. With soaring energy costs, we should be looking at possible energy efficient vehicles and energy savings in our facilities.

I want this election to be about ideas and the vision Jim and I have for Larchmont going forward. But make no mistake, this election will be about the leadership of the current mayor. I hope we can keep the tone polite and respectful.

Thank you for your support and now lets get busy and elect two Democratic trustees. Then we’ll have a majority on the Village Board.