In the June 23 issue of the Westchester Guardian
New Rochelle Republican Councilman Richard St. Paul after being selected to run for Mayor vowed to bring more transparency to city government. Answering his own question about why he was running for Mayor, he said the City lacks vision and because of this, small businesses are leaving the City. He credited the present three Republican Council members with keeping the taxes under double digits. Referring to the new policy of having Planning and Zoning boards as well as the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) televised, he said, “When we are done, there will be no place to hide under a new Mayor.” Four elected Republicans on Council could set new policies and make us proud of New Rochelle. New Rochelle in his view is a “mom-and-pop” store community with many storefronts. He wants to “rein in” the IDA and put it under Council control. He promised to bring this up at the next Council meeting along with ethics reform (which he did on June 13). St. Paul feels he has the energy and experience “needed to beat Mayor Noam Bramson” in November’s election. In a City dominated by registered Democrats, he urged the Republican City Committee members to work together so they could achieve more.
The Council candidates for the Republicans were endorsed in the order of their districts. In District 1, incumbent Councilman Lou Trangucci was chosen. In his acceptance speech he reiterated his commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in government. Developers in his view need to have their feet held to the fire and should not be putting financial burdens on residents. Trangucci felt the City needed a new direction. He will face former Councilman Roberto Lopez who lost the last election to Councilman Richard St. Paul by about 18 votes.
When Councilman Al Tarantino, Council District 2, was nominated, his wife said, “He puts the City first.” Tarantino felt more transparency was needed in city government and thought a fourth Republican vote on Council was needed to accomplish that. There is no announced Democratic candidate in District 2.
After being introduced for District 3 by Peter Parente as a businessman and former Marine, John Earvin said he did not have a lot of ego, but he was “running to win.” He will face Councilman Jared Rice who won a special election last year to fill a vacancy due to the untimely death of Councilman James Stowe.
Stepping up to run in Councilman St. Paul’s seat, Kevin Barrett accepted the nomination for District 4 saying he was “happy with the support” he received. He believes there will be a Republican majority on New Rochelle’s City Council next year. He will run against Ivar Hyden.
Selected to run against Councilman Barry Fertel in District 5 is Ilyse Spertus. She said she believes in the City and favors transparency and fiscal responsibility in government.
A twenty year resident of New Rochelle and a member of Temple Israel, Steve Mayo was selected to run for the seat being vacated by Council member Marianne Sussman. He will oppose Shari Rackman. Mayo felt he had a lot of work to do but will be proud to serve. In his view, fiscal prudence and getting more out of our tax dollars were priorities. Summing up, he felt that Districts 5 and 6 are going to find out, “There’s a lot to learn from the south end of New Rochelle.”
Arnold Klugman, Chairman of the New Rochelle Democratic City Committee when contacted by the Westchester Guardian about their candidates for this upcoming election said, “We’ve got a good team” and we are in good shape because the candidates will work together. Ivar Hyden is a good candidate against a newcomer. He has been involved in the community, in the BID and on the Municipal Arts Commission. Roberto Lopez is in an Hispanic opportunity district. Both these races should be competitive. “Mayor Noam Bramson will win and we have a good shot in winning all the other districts.”