John Verni, an attorney, businessman, and community leader who redeveloped the Mamaroneck train station, announces his bid to represent the Sound Shore in the County Legislature.
John Verni has announced his candidacy for County Legislator from the 7th District, the seat being vacated by Judy Myers who is not seeking re-election. The 7th District covers the Sound Shore communities of Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye and parts of New Rochelle and Harrison.
“The Sound Shore is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I believe I have the necessary skills to help the County through some difficult times and bring positive change to the County Board” Verni said.
John Verni and his brother Christopher recently restored the historic Mamaroneck train station, originally built in 1888, into a beautiful restaurant and office spaces. “The property had become dilapidated and in desperate need of repair. We bought the building from the MTA, invested our own private dollars to renovate the building, and turned it into an asset for the community”. The train station building is now home to the popular Club Car restaurant and a new second level has been repurposed into two office suites, one of which is the real estate offices of the Verni brothers.
“The building had been off the tax rolls when it was owned by the MTA. The property is now generating property taxes to the local community, over 50 jobs for local residents, and brings life to the train station and the Columbus Park area of the Village of Mamaroneck. We also included several green building features into the project such as reclaimed lumber, radiant heat flooring, and green roofing on the train tunnels to help protect the environment.” The project was recognized with a Westchester Municipal Planning Federation award for outstanding adaptive reuse.
In addition to redeveloping the Mamaroneck train station, Mr. Verni is an attorney with the White Plains law firm of Kent Hazzard specializing in land use and real estate. Prior to his work at Kent Hazzard, John Verni was a Westchester County prosecutor serving 6 years as an Assistant District Attorney.
Mr. Verni has also been involved in numerous community organizations on the Sound Shore. He is a past president of Habitat of Humanity of Westchester; chairman of the Board of the Iona Preparatory School; board member and training officer of the New Rochelle Youth Court; board member of Pelham Community Rowing, which serves many members from the Sound Shore; and a former board member of The Picture House, a restored movie house in Pelham that brings art films and programming to the Sound Shore area.
“I believe I have the right experience to contribute to the County Board of Legislators. As a local attorney and businessman, I know how to get things done. The County Board has gotten too involved in petty politics is not working together to solve the problems facing the people of Westchester. I have worked with people from both parties to get things done in our community and I will bring that results oriented, can-do attitude to the County Board.”
“I also believe that I can help the County navigate through the difficult issues it faces in complying with the HUD Settlement. As a local land use attorney, I understand local zoning laws and have appeared before many planning and zoning boards. As a former President of Habitat of Humanity, I also understand affordable housing. I believe it is vital that our towns and villages do not give up local control of its zoning and that projects are developed consistent with the Comprehensive Plans adopted by each of our communities. I am deeply concerned that HUD is overstepping the spirit and letter of the Settlement and is trying to control Westchester from Washington.”
John Verni presently lives in the New Rochelle part of the 7th District with his wife, Karina Gomez Verni, and their four children. They recently purchased a house on Orienta Point in Mamaroneck and will be moving there in the fall after the historic home built in 1900 is restored. His brother, Christopher, is a former Village of Larchmont Trustee, and his parents, Vito and Mary, live in Harrison.
“My roots in the community run deep. The Sound Shore is a special place and I am deeply committed to keeping it that way”.
