CANDIDATE FOR VILLAGE MAYOR:

LIZ FELD - Republican Caucus Speech

(January 31, 2006) I’d like to thank everyone for being here tonight. We’re all here because we care about the future direction of our Village and our party.

I think I was 8 when I worked on my first political campaign in Larchmont – Now, almost 40 years later, after working in the trenches of this party -- and the government -- the time has come for me to make the Village the primary focus of my service.

I‘ve campaigned a lot over the past 8 months for Republicans at the county, state and national level. And, while it’s been an exhilarating and incredible experience – - to be honest -- it’s also been somewhat discouraging .

I saw and heard a lot of people who were concerned or felt alienated -- but they weren’t willing to make the commitment or take the action to fix the things they thought were broken.

More than anything, I realized that the place where I can make the most difference is right here.

I decided it was time for me to be the change I want to see -- in the Village – - and in the party.

I’m very proud to be part of this community. One thing we can all agree on is that Larchmont works.

Larchmont will always have good Village services and dedicated volunteers.

Our financial condition is strong and our bond rating is excellent.

But my vision is to make Larchmont work better! !!!!!!!!!

Four years ago – when I first ran for trustee - I ran on a platform of “people before politics.” For me, it was never a slogan.

It’s what good leadership is all about.

Leadership is more than cement on a sidewalk. It’s more than cleaning storm sewers and planting trees.

By that -- I mean the bricks are important, but they’re nothing without the mortar -–

They’re nothing without the people in the village who hold them together.

In our community – the vital role of the mayor is to bring people together -- from different points of view -- to get things done – efficiently, effectively, and respectfully. — And ideally with some humor.

I have proved I can do that.

About eighteen months ago -- during the Flint Park playground build, a dedicated and very generous group of volunteers were stifled by obstruction, unpleasantness and delay.

This kind of micro management from village Government has discouraged participation -- and our community will pay the price.

Well – let me say this: the right attitude does not cost a thing!!!!!!!!

There is never room in this village for the mayor – the community’s leader – to treat residents – or employees -- – disresepctfully and dismissively.

The Village deserves a mayor who will change the tone from one of confrontation and bureaucracy -- to one of spirited and open discussion of the issues -- and one of efficiency, energy, and progress.

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 Village affairs.

Public/private partnerships are the perfect example of government working at its best.

As mayor, I would:

Renovate and expand the Flint Park Playhouse;

Refurbish Constitution park as a Village green; and explore the acquisition of available properties for public use; All under the auspices of public private partnerships.

We must improve the building department, including rehiring our own Village Engineer, to make the process Less cumbersome for our residents and the people who do business here.

We need to finish the work we began three years ago in the Post Road business district -- and we have to get to work on improvements on the other side of town.

– As always, we need to hold the line on Village taxes.

We have accomplished a lot in the last four years and we all feel good about that.

As Ronald Reagan said “There’s no limit to what man can do if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”

Let me set the record straight about something. I’ve spent my entire life in Republican politics. Ii have always been a Republican. I will not run for mayor as a Democrat.

Elections are about the future. They are about potential. They are about the idea that under dynamic leadership there is so much more we can do.

With your support – together – we can supply the bricks and the mortar on the pathway to the Larchmont we hope our kids –-- and their kids – will all want to return to.