Democracy in Action: Candidate Forum

by Cindy Goldstein -

On October 22^nd the League of Women Voters of Larchmont and Mamaroneck (LWVLM) sponsored a Candidate’s Forum where three sets of candidates made their cases to the residents.  Candidates for Westchester County Legislator District 7, Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor and two Town of Mamaroneck Council members participated.  The forum may be viewed in its entirety HERE.

Moderator C. Michele Shivers of the Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester League led the proceedings and Alice Pernick, Debates Chair for the LWVLM made opening comments.  She stated that the League is nonpartisan and described its mission as empowering voters and defending democracy. 

Only candidates in contested elections participated in the forum and did so under strict LWVLM guidelines.  The order of speaking was determined by drawing lots, and the public was allowed to submit questions.

County Legislator District 7

Anant Nambiar, Democrat, was first to speak in the contest to replace current legislator Catherine Parker who cannot run again due to term limits.  Nambiar, currently a Town of Mamaroneck Council Member and former Mamaroneck School District board member, described himself as a person who listens, makes hard decisions and communicate effectively.  He also wants to change the tone of political conversations and, having been born in India, he appreciates this country.  He stressed that his volunteer and business experiences are important to serving.

Kurt Van Kuller, Republican, is a Sound Shore resident who wants to maintain the quality of life, help with the flooding in Mamaroneck as well as address high real estate taxes.  He also wants to end waste in public spending, specifically mentioning Rye Playland and Con Ed rates.  He aims to reinstate “checks and balances” in County government and cited his career in municipal finance and banking.

Nambiar and Van Kuller sparred on several topics including the future of Playland, the County’s fiscal situation and potential solutions despite cuts in federal aid, flooding, sewer districts, recycling/composting, fossil fuels, human and immigrant rights and Beeline bus ridership and fees.

In response to the Beeline bus ridership question, Van Kuller questioned free bus service and drew surprise from the audience when he said, “we don’t need Mamdani coming here with a free bus plan…” (see recording at minute 35:54) apparently referring to the New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

On taxes, Nambiar pointed out that the average County tax is approximately 15-17% of your overall real estate tax bill with about 60% of it from school taxes.  He wants to attract jobs into Westchester and expand the commercial tax base.

Van Kuller said this “won’t be business as usual” and pointed out his experience working on fiscal crises with other governments.  He touts “zero based budgeting” which means looking at each line item to see what is needed.  “We need to cut taxes,” he said.

In closing, Nambiar stated that complaining is not a plan, and he will bring his skills to the job if elected.  Van Kullen reiterated his years of experience in municipal finance and that if elected, he will ask the questions that no one else is asking.

Mamaroneck Town Council

There are two open seats with three individuals running.  Incumbent Council member Robin Nichinsky is a Democrat running for a second term.  Darren Moss, also a Democrat is running for the first time.  Another candidate, Tina Sadarangani, running on the Sustainable Future Party had a previous commitment and did not attend.

Nichinsky, an immigration lawyer, described her service on various volunteer boards including the Mamaroneck School District over the past 30 years.  She also described various initiatives she participated in during her first term as well as her dedication to pedestrian and public safety.  Moss, a 17 year resident has volunteered as a community member and wants to seek out opposing viewpoints to find solutions for all.

Both Nichinsky and Moss said that flooding was the most pressing issue.  Moss added that recreation facilities are vital to the Town and, if elected, wants to encourage public-private partnerships for funding opportunities.

Shared municipal services was another topic of conversation which both candidates believe should be further explored for efficiencies.  Both also agreed that better communication is essential to bring in other members of the community to improve decision making.

Both candidates believe that the residents are the greatest resource and their experiences, when shared, make for more common sense decision making.

For additional information on the 3 candidates see HERE.

Mamaroneck Town Supervisor

Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney is running for her third two-year term as a Democrat.  Melissa Manice, on the Sustainable Future Party, is a first-time candidate.

In her opening statement Manice said she wants to bring her experience to serve all residents.  She said taxes are unsustainable and relations with the School District are strained.  She is running because she loves the community and wants to face the rising challenges including taxes, flooding and unsustainable duplication of resources.

Elkind Eney outlined her municipal experience in both the Town and Village of Larchmont.  She also listed her recent accomplishments as Supervisor and stated she knows how to get things done.  The Town’s AAA bond rating, recently adopted Comprehensive Plan and $8 million of grant money for flood and infrastructure projects along with various sustainability projects were all mentioned.

Questions followed including where the Town might find efficiencies to reduce expenses, increased resident input on decisions, turf fields, sanitation and shared services.  Both agreed on the excellent and professional first responders, the importance of trees and the tree canopy and the value of the Comprehensive Plan to guide decision-making.

When discussing housing affordability, Elkind Eney said the Town needs housing at every price point.  She said she wanted Town volunteers to be able to live here, especially first responders, and is working with Westchester County to buy land in order to build workforce housing.  Manice agreed that affordable housing is important and said that the Hommocks Park Apartments had significant vacancies and she would work with Westchester County to raise the income cap for residents.  Manice mentioned her idea to have developers pay an “impact” fee as part of their land use application process. 

Elkind Eney contradicted Manice’s statement about the development fee stating they are not legal (because NYS has not enacted enabling legislation to allow a municipality to charge them) and that in order to avoid costly litigation and delays Elkind Eney negotiated with developers citing $250,000 the Town received from a developer for traffic control and a parking deck.

Manice, when asked how the community can reduce divisiveness, said she hadn’t seen it until she decided to run for office.  Productive dialogue needs to be non-partisan and if elected she plans to lead in the spirit of collaboration and partnership to restore that in the community.

Elkind Eney agreed on the points about collaboration and partnership and stated that Board members do work congenially and attend community events to try to engage as many people as possible.

In closing, Manice said that residents want to see their government work together with honesty and transparency.  She also mentioned high taxes leading to empty nesters leaving the community.  Rising fixed costs (employee health and retirement costs) over the past decade have reduced funds available to support business districts and parks.  She said she will work to find new revenue streams.

Elkind Eney said she brings experience and results to the role of Supervisor listing grant money received, sustainability initiatives and recreation and safety projects.  She also cited her passion for the job and that “everyday of my life is a listening tour and I listen to you” asking for another term to continue to bring solid results for the residents.

For more information on the two candidates see HERE.