Incumbents Run Unopposed for Larchmont Trustee & Judge

by Paula Eisenberg and Judy Silberstein

(January 26, 2005) In a repeat of what occurred in 2004, there will be an uncontested election for the Larchmont Village Board on March 15, 2005. Local Republicans and Democrats

Judge Thea Beaver

held their party caucuses on Tuesday, January 24 and each nominated only one trustee candidate - the incumbents Anne McAndrews (D) and Mike Wiener (R). Both parties again endorsed Thea Beaver for Village Justice, as they had in 2002, so there will be no contest for that position either. (See: 2004 First in a Long Time: No Contest in Village of Larchmont Elections)

Larchmonters looking for a contested race will have to settle for the special election to fill a vacancy on the Westchester County Board of Legislators for District 7, which is taking place on February 15. Each caucus received a visit from the party’s county candidate: Rye City Councilman Franklin Chu introduced himself to the local Republicans, and Town of Mamaroneck Councilwoman Judy Myers visited the Democrats.

Taking Care of Business:

Nominating Mike Wiener for another term, Mayor Ken Bialo addressed the Republican caucus gathered at Village Hall and said, "Mike has done an incredible job for the last three years. He's our resident engineer and fire-fighter, and he's a real gift to the Village and the Board."

Mr. Wiener, 44, has lived in Larchmont most of his life. He is a capacity planner with Bank of America, and a former chief and current volunteer with the Larchmont Fire Department. He first ran for trustee in 2002, and although he lost that race, he was appointed to the board to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Bialo who vacated the seat when he was elected mayor. Mr. Wiener ran again in 2003 and won that race. (Read Mike Wiener's Acceptance Speech)

Mr. Wiener, referring to President Bush's second inauguration speech, told the caucus, "We need to show the world how democracy works. We're doing that right here, tonight."

Across the street at the Senior Center, former Trustee Ned Benton nominated incumbent Anne McAndrews and told the Democratic caucus, “Anne stands for the open public forum. She stood for that when she was president of the League of Women Voters; she stood for that when she ran before.” He added, “People in Larchmont viscerally trust Anne to make the decision you would make if you had all the information.”

Ms. McAndrews, 59, is an attorney with a private practice specializing in tax and real estate and has lived in the area since 1978. She has served on the Village Planning Commission, the Town Board of Zoning Appeals and has chaired the Mamaroneck Schools Financial Advisory Committee. First elected to the Village Board in 2000, she ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2002 and then regained her trustee seat in 2003.

Commenting on the lack of a contest, she asked, "How are elected officials held accountable?"

"We are held accountable by you the citizens, by you the residents, at Board Meetings, at office hours, by email, by snail mail, by phone and most importantly, personally, personally by your involvement," she said. (Read Anne McAndrews' Acceptance Speech.)

Why No Contest?

Responding to a question from the Gazette about the lack of a contest, Mike Wiener said, "Maybe we like the stability. Being able to not lose three months in a campaign is not a bad thing." Recalling experiences of earlier years, he said, "I don't miss the vitriol of the previous campaigns. The divisions of previous elections are very hard to mend."

Marian White, chair of the Larchmont Republicans and a former trustee, said, "This is a board that works well together," and added, "It's great to have continuity, when they're in the middle of so many important projects."

The Democrats were more ambivalent, perhaps because continuing the status quo leaves them as the minority party – three Republicans (including Mayor Ken Bialo) to two Democrats.

Mary Anne Mumma, president of the Democratic caucus and a former trustee, opened the meeting by saying, “I am very disappointed that there are not two candidates.” Ned Benton agreed, saying, "When in Iraq people are giving their lives for the principles of democracy we should realize our full opportunities here in Larchmont."

There's Always the County Race on February 15

George Latimer and Judy Myers

Franklin Chu

Whether they’re happy about the situation or not, without a local contest, party activists will have more time to work on the county race.

Franklin Chu told the Larchmont Republicans he hopes that, between now and February 15, registered Independents and "more than a few Democrats will like what they see and pull my lever." His campaign plans to send out five district-wide mailings in the next couple of weeks, in an effort to "energize our base."

Judy Myers told the Larchmont Democrats she’s been enjoying getting to know the Rye part of the district and asked for support in the difficult task of reminding voters to go to the polls on February 15. She and Anne McAndrews made plans to start knocking on doors together to get out their respective messages. Newly elected Assemblyman George Latimer was on hand to support both candidates.

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