Bittersweet Victory for Wiener & McAndrews in Village of Larchmont Elections

by Judy Silberstein and Paula Eisenberg

(March 18, 2003) Village of Larchmont Republicans and Democrats had reason for celebration and for disappointment with the results of Tuesday’s Trustee elections as each side had one victory and one loss.

For the Republicans, there was joy at the election of incumbent Mike Wiener at party headquarters for the night on the corner of Beach and Post Road. "I was very proud of Mike and Phil," said Republican Chairwoman Marian White. "And thrilled that the voters of Larchmont acknowledged all the hard work Mike put in on his first year on the Board.

"I'm thrilled that Mike has been elected,” commented fellow Trustee Liz Feld. “As I've said from the beginning, he is an outstanding board member. He's done a terrific job for everyone in the Village. He's the most even-handed public servant anyone could ask for.”

Mike Wiener was also elated at his first trustee election victory. After being defeated in his first election last year, he gained a seat via appointment to fill out the remaining year of Mayor Ken Bialo’s trusteeship "I'm very happy, for myself,” Wiener said, “but I wish Phil had made it. During a campaign, it's a team effort, and you want the team to stay together afterwards. So I'm happy for myself, but it's a little bittersweet. I imagine they're feeling the same way next door."

Later Johanson thanked his running mate and said, “It was an incredible experience the last two months. I’m sure I’ll be back.” He vowed to return to his usual seat in the audience at the twice-monthly Board meetings that he has been attending for the past few years.

Wiener was right about the bittersweet feeling across the Post Road at Democratic Headquarters. There was a hush as election results came in over the phone and it became apparent that the Republicans would retain the majority on the Board. The most relaxed participant was Jerry Bernstein, running unopposed for his third term as Village Justice. Also jubilant was Marlene Kolbert, currently the only Democrat on the Board who grinned at the news of McAndrews' victory. “I personally want to say thank you; I have a friend. I don’t have to be lonely again.”

“I’m really enthusiastic about being back on the Board,” said McAndrews referring to her first election to a trustee position in 2000 and the year she had been away from the Board since losing the 2002 mayoralty race to Ken Bialo. However, she gave her running mate a big hug to express her disappointment that he will not be serving with her.

Later, Carol Miller, Co-chairwoman of the Democratic Party said, “I’m thrilled that Anne was elected. Obviously we’re disappointed about Geoff.” Co-chairwoman Dorothea Constas concurred. “We think Anne will be a tremendous asset to the Board, and the voters agreed,” she said. “Geoff Young had a lot to give and would have brought a distinct set of skills to the Board, which we believe the Board still needs.”

Miller went on to comment about the close race. McAndrews, who had been the top vote getter in her first trustee race in 2000, ended up with 942 votes, 109 votes more than the next candidate, Wiener with 833. But Johanson was only 30 votes behind his running mate with 803, and Geoff Young was only 7 votes further with 796.

With the votes counted and the results digested, the candidates and their supporters decamped to Village Hall where they graciously shook hands and congratulated each other on a good race. “I welcome Anne to the Board,” said Liz Feld, “and I hope we can put our differences aside and continue working on the things we started over the past year."

“It was a vigorous campaign,” said Anne McAndrews, “because of the caliber of our opponents – Mike and Phil.

Mayor Bialo noted, “We can spend sixty days tussling and at the end of the campaign put that all aside and get together as a Village.”

“The healing begins tonight,” he concluded.

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