Has Mamaroneck Squandered Its Last Best Chance?

by Kathy Savolt, Editor-in-Chief -

Village Manager Kathleen Gill resigned last week, and I have a lot to say about that.  In my 35 years as a resident of the Village, with 25 years of paying attention to and involvement in government affairs, I am compelled to share my perspective.

During my tenure as Trustee from 2000–2002, I participated in a search for a new Village Manager and did so again as Mayor in 2008.  In 2018, I was one of the handful of residents advising the Board of Trustees on their search for a Village Manager.  I also participated in selecting two interim managers. 

From the time I started paying attention to Village matters (2000) to today, there have been at least eleven managers (both interim and permanent) – most of whom I had the opportunity to work with in some capacity.

In addition to involvement with the Village, I worked in government at the Federal, County (Westchester) and City (New York City) level for over twenty years.  I’ve seen bureaucracy, ineptitude, and politics as well as real dedication and competence up close.

I can state with certainty that Kathleen Gill was by far the best permanent Village Manager we have hired in all that time.  Her dedication to the community, her willingness to do what it takes to get things done, and her keen grasp of issues and solutions are unmatched by her predecessors.  She immediately recognized many structural issues in the management of the Village and worked to remedy them as she simultaneously tackled the major issues like flooding, pedestrian safety, controlling real estate taxes, and quality of life. 

Although not all residents agreed with all of Gill’s decisions, we had a glimmer of hope that real progress was possible.

So, what happened?

The Mosquito Uproar

There is a common belief in the 90-10 rule: 10% of the people do 90% of the work and conversely, 10% of the people cause 90% of the problems.  Well, our Village recently had one example when a small group of residents – less than that proverbial 10% - caused quite a stir over mosquitoes.  Their concern was real, but their behavior was disgraceful and their calls for all elected and appointed officials to resign were over the top.  Social media posts were rampant, inflammatory and hostile, and many singled-out Gill. 

Lack of Public Board Support

When Gill came under attack, Mayor Sharon Torres issued a statement of support from her office – not from the full Board of Trustees.  Rumors that swirled claiming certain Trustees supported her departure were damaging regardless of whether they were true.

Divided Board

Then came the now infamous flyer from an unidentified source (but shared on social media).  It called for voters to vote only for Trustee Maria DeRose and Trustee Ellen Silver and not the third trustee, Dan Kushnick, in last week’s election. 

All three Trustees were running unopposed and were reelected but this clearly showed a division among Board members.  Under these circumstances, managers have difficulty doing their jobs while juggling differences of opinion and priorities among elected officials.

There is also a vast difference in understanding what a Trustee’s job is – and isn’t.  From watching every Board meeting, there still appears to be a steep learning curve ahead for some elected officials.

Historical Lack of Continuity

In a recent conversation, when asked for his comments on Gill’s impending departure, Michael Murphy of Murphy Brothers Contracting lamented the lack of continuity in Village government.  He cited projects other municipalities get done and the many needs we have here in the Village.

He’s right.  Managers come and go.  Elected officials come and go.  We still have flooding, parking problems, rats, mosquitoes, and more.  Sure, the police and fire departments protect us, the trash gets picked up and the bills get paid.  No one gets the time needed or the chance to make any real progress on the Village’s most serious problems.

Search for a New Manager

Some members of the Board of Trustees might not know it yet, but finding a new Manager could be difficult – especially considering the Board’s dysfunction and the Village’s reputation as a difficult place to work.  Many are asking the same questions:  Can the Board members get their act together, or was Gill our last best chance?  

Unsolicited Advice for the BOT

If the BOT is serious about fixing these issues, they need to figure out how to work together. 

Here’s some straightforward advice for all members of the Board based on years both in and watching politics in the Village:

1)    Put aside all the petty differences and start communicating - today.  You don’t all have to be friends, but you do need to respect each other and work together for the greater good.

2)    Be aware that you did not suddenly make a lot of new friends upon your election.  Constituents who want something may approach you.  Think twice about what they may really want and why.

3)    Accept the fact that you know a lot less than you think you do.  Don’t try to fake it.  If you don’t understand something, ask questions.  Take notes so you will remember things from one discussion to the next.  Being absent is not an excuse; watch the videotape.

4)    Respect your colleagues on the Board and the Village staff.  Each of them is working toward the common goal of solving problems in good faith.  Listen, learn and be respectful both in public and behind the scenes.

5)    Do simple things such as responding to phone calls and emails promptly.  The job of an elected official can be overwhelming so don’t let correspondence back up. 

6)    Do your homework before each BOT meeting.  And stop trying to dredge up settled issues you don’t agree with.  Democracy means the majority rules.  Once a vote is taken, move on.

7)    This is a small Village and word travels fast and in ways you don’t know about.  Be careful with your words in public and in private.

Twenty thousand residents are counting on you.  It’s time to step up and do the job you were elected to do.