March 4, 2026

Dear Fellow Villagers,

The two of us, Mary Taylor Behrens and Bill Fredericks, have been privileged to serve on the Village Board together for the better part of the last 6 years.

We’re proud that over the last 6 years the current board has worked together to undertake multiple flood mitigation projects, redevelop Maltby Park, maintain our excellent public safety services, make numerous “walkability” improvements, and support multiple environmental initiatives – all while maintaining the Village’s strong fiscal balance sheet and a “triple AAA” bond rating.  Based on our colleague Trustee Helen Knapp’s record of support for these same projects and initiatives, we’re pleased to join with Mayor Marvin and Trustee Bob Underhill to endorse Helen for re-election.   And beyond Helen’s record on the issues, she brings a measured and thoughtful approach to every issue that comes before the board that lends grace to all our proceedings.

It is in the same spirit of wanting to endorse the best candidates for Bronxville that we urge each resident to also vote for Vanessa O’Friel for the second Trustee seat that is also up for election (due to Mary B.’s decision to step down after three terms).

Vanessa has raised her four children here and been actively involved in numerous volunteer roles, from the Non-Partisan School Board Selection Committee, to the Friends of the Bronxville Public Library, to The Community Fund.  Importantly, as President of Bronxville’s Chamber of Commerce, Vanessa will also bring a particularly valuable perspective to how the Board can help ensure the vibrancy of our local businesses. We’re also confident that Vanessa has the energy to help the Village move forward on other ongoing projects, ranging from continuing flood mitigation efforts to traffic & pedestrian safety improvements, while always being sensitive to ensuring that they are tailored to Village’s particular needs and that the views of affected citizens are heard.  Finally, we believe that one of the great strengths of our current Village Board has been the commitment of each Trustee to work collegially to get things done.  We have tried to operate by consensus whenever possible, even as we live in a period of increasing political rancor. As we alluded to earlier, our friend and colleague Helen Knapp has been a model in this regard.  And while we have not known Vanessa O’Friel as long, both of us have had the chance to get to know her over the past year, including in the context of exchanging views about the more important issues facing the village. In short, we are confident that both Helen (as an experienced hand) and Vanessa (as  the successor to the undersigned Mary B., who is retiring) will both do their darnedest to be part of a Village Hall team that works together to deliver the kind of services, improvements and support for our Village that our residents expect and deserve – and do so with the kind of civility and collegiality that are in the best traditions of our Village.

In March 18th’s upcoming (and contested) election, you have two votes for trustee.  We urge you to use both votes, and to cast them for both Helen Knapp and Vanessa O’Friel. 

Mary Taylor Behrens, Village Trustee

Bill Fredericks, Village Trustee

Editor's note:  MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.