Thank you Phil and Robin for your kind words and the nomination. Phil, thank you for your steadfast support and counsel over the years. Robin, thank you for your constant love and assurance and for being the best campaign manager / cheerleader any man could ask for. I would like to thank the Civic Progress Committee for their vote of confidence in once again nominating me as their candidate for the position of Mayor.
When I originally ran in 2009, I promised to work hard, to put a lid on village taxes, to rebuild our downtown and to fairly represent our residents. I believe that I have kept those promises and we have seen great progress in the past 6 years. The success we have experienced has not been a one man show – it has been the collaborative efforts of 10 different hardworking Board members, a dedicated staff, countless volunteer groups and many members of our community. We have seen a total resurgence of our downtown area with class A restaurants, shops, jewelers, artists and photographers. Part of this success has been incredible synergies between the restaurants and the arts community. I am proud to have been part of this collaborative effort. I picked up where previous administrations left off with the renaissance of our waterfront. We have expanded the old pavilion and built a full scale kitchen. We have built a performing arts gazebo on the beach that is fully equipped with a professional sound system and LED lighting. Additionally, we were able to realize the hard work and vision of 3 previous administrations with the completion of the Scudders Pond remediation project. A project that is currently underway that will help shape the next generation is going on right now across the street. The interior renovation of the Children’s Library will make the facility handicap accessible, energy efficient, and historically restored. The first of three phases in the restoration of this building occurred a few years back but we were unable to continue on to Phase II because of budgetary constraints. Through perseverance and relationship building with other levels of governments, we were recently awarded a $300,000 grant that will enable us to complete Phase II and part of Phase III which will include some much needed interior work. An environmental and downtown revitalization project that has been one of my main goals for the past 6 years will begin next week – the downtown sewer project. Former Mayor Krieb started this project with a feasibility study and the securing of assorted grant money. We picked up where she left off and this nearly $2 million project will be completed by the spring. Taking a leadership role such as being Mayor or a member of the Board of Trustees is a true labor of love and at times requires a very thick skin. It requires countless hours of work, time taken away from your family, and a willingness to take chances. The rewards come from leaving behind a community that is in better condition than when you started. In the words of Thomas Jefferson; “In matters of style, swim with the current; in the matters of principles, stand like a rock”. Being part of the current Board of Carol Vogt, Edward Lieberman, Elena Villafane, and Kevin McGilloway is like being part of the Dream Team of the 1992 Olympic basketball team. With the departure of Carol Vogt, I was concerned about a huge void on the Board; but with the nomination of Dina Epstein, my concerns have evaporated. We have accomplished tremendous success in the past 6 years, but I am not done yet. I still have the fire in my belly, the desire to work and serve, and the support of my family to serve another term. I accept your nomination and look forward to working together throughout the campaign. |
Mr. Chairman, Members of Civic Progress, Moyne, Mayor Kreib,
Former Trustee Como, Honored Guests, Dear Friends and Family, and Fellow Sea
Cliffians,
In accord with my fervent belief that public service is a noble calling, a belief instilled in me many years ago by my parents. I accept your nomination. To that end, I sincerely thank you and extend my deep appreciation to the members of the Civic Progress for your continued trust, support and confidence. As a public servant I will continue to ensure that my oath of office will be honored; to be vigilant to the general welfare of our residents; to be responsive to their needs and concerns; to be faithful to Sea Cliff heritage of tolerance; to champion the preservation and protection of Sea Cliff’s natural beauty and its resources. I wish to thank the two individuals who rose to nominate and second that nomination. For it was Deputy Mayor Carol Vogt who summoned me to accept the challenge of public service to our Village. Fortified by her position of public rust and learned degree of history, I was further drawn to this challenge. I wish to publicly thank the Deputy Mayor for her many years of devoted service to our beloved Village. And for being so special to me as I have traveled the course of learning to be a better public servant. And for that knowledge that you will continue to serve; for service is your calling. Kathleen DiResta represents all that is good in our Village. Her enthusiasm and vibrant energy has benefitted Sea Cliff in ways that benefit All of Us. Her dedication to out Village is exhibited without favor or search of reward, but rather in her love for our community. Thank you Kathleen. I want to congratulate my fellow candidates. Our Mayor, Bruce Kennedy, has proven that leadership never rests and that the vision for Sea Cliff is clear. McGilloway, it can be certain that our Village will continue to be a slecial place to live and raise a family. I look forward to this campaign and election and I look forward to serving Sea Cliff. |
I want to thank my friends,
Kristine Janusas and Cindy Neugebauer for their kind words, for their support
and for their friendship. I also want to
thank the Civic Progress Committee for their consideration and approval of my
candidacy.
I humbly accept the nomination to run for the position of Trustee. I realize that if elected, it will be a tall order to sit in the seat being vacated by Trustee Carol Vogt. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Carol for her years of hard work and for her devotion to our village. If elected, I look forward to working with Bruce, Ed, Kevin and Elena. This is a group of extremely intelligent, innovative, caring and hard-working people who are dedicated to the betterment of our village. Our Trustees work tirelessly to ensure that village residents enjoy the highest quality of life, while many residents may not even know what they do, nor the amount of time and diligence they devote toward this end. These Trustees quietly ensure that life in this Village hums along seamlessly. My family and I are the beneficiaries of all that Sea Cliff has to offer. There are beautiful, scenic places to walk, jog, and ride bicycles. There are street fairs, beach parties, musical gatherings, plays, art shows - too many civic and community events to mention. Sea Cliff has services for seniors. We have an incredibly dedicated Fire and EMS Department who respond immediately if you need them. The infrastructure of our village is well tended. We enjoy a tremendous level of services from our public works department, yet unlike most of our neighbors, our taxes have remained level. The excellent quality of life here in Sea Cliff has not happened by accident, nor is it a given. Rather, it is the result of the cumulative efforts of generations of Sea Cliff volunteers who have given their time and expertise to guide Sea Cliff’s future while honoring and protecting its past. It would be my honor to join them as a Trustee of this Village. It is my hope that the residents of Sea Cliff see fit to place me in this position of trust. Thank you and goodnight. |