Community Leader and Advocate Pledges “Solutions, Not Slogans”
Varian’s campaign released the following press release:
New Rochelle community leader and advocate Greg Varian will seek the Democratic nomination for the County Legislative seat recently vacated by Vito Pinto. Varian, an elected Trustee of the New Rochelle Public Library, former President of the New Rochelle Bar Association and former President of the Halcyon Park Neighborhood Association, said he was determined to bring positive and urgently-needed change to Westchester County government.
“With the County facing so many challenges, we need leadership fully in touch with the concerns of our communities,” said Varian. “Throughout my life, I have represented homeowners, small businesses and neighborhoods, and I want to bring those experiences to the County Legislature as a strong advocate for the people of New Rochelle, Eastchester and Tuckahoe. I’m not interested in slogans, I am interested in solutions, and I am ready to get to work.”
Greg Varian was born in New Rochelle. After a brief career in radio, he attended Pace Law School and then returned to New Rochelle to practice law and raise a family. His daughters both attended the New Rochelle public schools. Lauren, 23, is now a nurse employed in the neo-natal ICU at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital, and Marisa, 20, is a junior at the University of South Florida.
As an attorney in private practice, Varian handles cases involving municipal law, zoning, land use, code compliance, landlord-tenant, real estate development and closings, small business and franchising, and estate planning and administration. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Real Property Law at Mercy College, and an instructor for the Westchester County Board of Realtors School of Real Estate. In 2007, he was honored as “Professional of the Year” by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce.
“My professional work has given me a firm grasp on County policy, law and administration. I will be ready to hit the ground running and contribute to the Legislature from day one, “said Varian.
As the President of the Halcyon Park Association, Varian helped lead efforts to revitalize the North Avenue corridor, ensure public oversight and involvement in major development decisions, and address quality of life concerns. He was and remains a forceful and tireless advocate for his neighbors. According to Nick Williams, the current president of the Halcyon Park Association, “Greg has always been there for us; organizing the neighborhood association 25 years ago; advocating for us with Iona College and at all levels of government; and in his persistent efforts to find a permanent solution to our broken storm drain and sewer systems.”
Varian led the New Rochelle Bar Association during a critical period of growth. Under his watch, the Bar grew from a small, local entity to a 375-member organization. The New Rochelle Bar was instrumental in preventing the closure of Family Court and increasing the number of volunteer arbitrators to the city’s Small Claims Court. Former NRBA president Richard Sosis praised “Greg’s leadership in expanding the Bar Association, its membership, its program and its positive contributions to our city. As a member of the New Rochelle Zoning Board of Appeals, I have come to appreciate Greg’s high professionalism and deep understanding of the land use issues confronting our community. I am very enthusiastic about this opportunity for Greg to bring his great skill, energy and caring to the service of the people of Westchester.”
In 2006, Varian was elected by the residents of New Rochelle to serve as a Trustee of the New Rochelle Public Library. In his capacity, he oversees an invaluable public institution serving nearly 530,000 patrons last year, with an annual budget of approximately $4.2 million.
“This is a challenging time, said Varian. “People are angry, and rightly so. We need to cut taxes, while safeguarding our values. We need to reform our public institutions, so that they will be more efficient, effective and responsive. And we need to stand up for residents who can’t take another hit. I am determined to do the hard work necessary to get us through the current crisis and also to lay a better, stronger foundation for the future.”
The 10th County Legislative District became vacant when longtime Legislator Vito Pinto accepted a post in the Astorino administration as head of the Veterans Service Agency and the Office of Drug Prevention and Stop-DWI. Pinto’s resignation triggered a special election that must occur on or before July 7, 2010.
PRESS CONTACT: Greg Varian at the Law Office of Gregory T. Varian. Tel: (914) 632-0332 Email: VarianEsq@aol.com