Written by Carol P. Bartold

Mar. 11, 2015: The Village of Bronxville election will be on Wednesday, March 18. The polling place for all districts is village hall. Voting begins at 6:00 am and ends at 9:00 pm.

Nominated for two two-year trustee seats are incumbents Robert Underhill and Randolph Mayer, who was appointed to complete former trustee Donald Gray's term in December of 2014.

Incumbent Mayor Mary Marvin is the candidate for a two-year term.

All nominees are running uncontested. Marvin and Underhill are running on the Republican line. Mayer is running on the Bronxville Citizens for Responsible Government line because of the nature of his job. His law firm works for many municipalities and is involved with bond issues, so he must run as an independent.

"Our candidates have spent time working on behalf of the community in positions such as the planning board and zoning board of appeals where their decisions have had considerable and long-term ramifications for the village," said Republican Party Chair Rene Atayan.

Independent candidate Randolph Mayer served on the planning board prior to his appointment as trustee.

According to Betsy Harding, chair of the Bronxville Democratic Party, the last contested election in the village was in 2006.

Mayer feels it might be worth considering why no opposing candidates have been put forward in recent years. Villagers lead busy lives, he noted, and tend to take the rational approach to uncontested elections that the candidates who have served are capable and diligent. "I don’t see a problem with a history of uncontested elections under the present circumstances," he said.

Even so, said Underhill, "I do appreciate it when people are aware that there is an election. I think the trend in voter turnout has been at around 70 to 80 voters." He added that the most votes he has received topped out at 75.

"There are three village residents that are working very hard for the interests of the village," Underhill said, "and all on a volunteer basis to maintain the quality of life here."

"Our electorate is very plugged in and bright," said Marvin. "If they thought we were doing a less than favorable job for the village, they would be telling us so." She added that the strength of the voting system in Bronxville is that citizens cast direct votes rather than participate in a non-partisan system.

Rene Atayan agreed with Marvin that the political process in nominating candidates is the most open and accessible way for people to run for office. "Moving our local government to a non-partisan system would not be in the best interest of the taxpayers," she stated. "The last time this was suggested it was resoundingly defeated."

Marvin, Atayan, and Harding all stated that party politics do not play a significant role in village government. Marvin pointed out that, although the Republican Party nominated her, she is not a registered Republican.

"Our party endorses people we feel are best qualified for the position," Atayan said.

"I think the typical Bronxville voter prides him- or herself on being informed and voting in response to issues, not along party lines," Harding noted. She also stated that registration in Bronxville is not as heavily Republican as people might believe. According to Harding, Democrats and Independents combined outnumber Republicans.

Atayan explained that, ultimately, candidates advanced for nomination must meet three standards:

• They must fully understand and commit to the time involved

• They must possess experience and skills that are complementary to their board peers

• They must be willing and able to make difficult decisions and do so in an acceptable, cordial, and public manner

"I think getting out to vote is a great habit," said Marvin.

Pictured here (L to R):  Bronxville Village candidates Randolph Mayer, Mary Marvin, and Robert Underhill. 

Photo by N. Bower