YOU HAVE TO WALK BEFORE YOU CAN RUNReceived from Elena Villafane, Sea Cliff
March 12, 2018 Letter to the Editor Re: Village of Sea Cliff 2018 Election Choice - a simple concept with complex ramifications. Some choices are easy, with little to no impact on your life and can be made without thought or consideration: vanilla or chocolate; coffee or tea. More often, choices have larger implications and require more than a knee jerk response. Important choices call for careful consideration of the relative merits of the options offered. As I write this letter, the residents of the Village of Sea Cliff are approximately ten days from voting in a contested election where four candidates vie for two open seats. Choice is being offered and good citizenship calls for all of our residents to take careful stock of the choices being offered before they cast their vote. As a former deputy Mayor and Trustee for 7 years, the job of Trustee is not to be undertaken lightly. In my experience, it is a position of trust that demands a significant time commitment that averages between 10 and 20 hours per week over the course of the year. The job entails much more than two meetings per month. To make our “Volunteer Village” work, each Trustee must commit to liaison responsibilities that are time consuming and demanding. Board members help to keep cost contained by contributing their time and talents in meeting with their delegated department or committee to craft budgets, allocate for capital expenses, conveying the needs of the department or committee to the Board and acting to meet needs of residents and the particular department or committee in a fiscally responsible manner. It is a hands-on position that goes far beyond the meeting rooms of Village Hall. Two candidates offer a proven track record of volunteering and giving back to the Village of Sea Cliff and by extension, the residents. Two candidates, while possessed of significant professional resumes, have virtually no volunteer experience. Two candidates offer experience in navigating problems through the municipal process and effectuating solutions. Two Candidates offer you their professional experience and their promise to do a good job. Unfortunately, with no volunteer experience, I question whether they are aware of the depth of the commitment. Kevin McGilloway has demonstrated that he understands the commitment he has made to our Village. Over his four years as Trustee and eight years serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals, Kevin has utilized his significant skill set honed through years of experience in high-level corporate positions all to the good of our Village. He is a fair minded, independent thinker who knows the depth of the commitment that being a Trustee entails. Henriette Rohl has also served our Village through her service on the Environmental Conservation Commission and the Traffic and Safety Committee. As a local business person, Henriette has the time and flexibility to serve our Village as a link to the local and school community and the young families joining the ranks of Sea Cliff residents. So, for me the choice is clear. You have to walk before you can run. You have to serve before you can lead. Kevin McGilloway and Henriette Rohl have served our Village and are well positioned to lead. The Village faces significant challenges in the near future. Kevin McGilloway and Henriette Rohl have the time, the talent and the proven leadership to serve our Village. A vote for Kevin and Henriette is the right choice for the future of Sea Cliff. Sincerely, Elena Villafane |