With the designating petition gathering period beginning for state and local elections, the Mamaroneck Village Democrats have announced their slate for the November election and it includes two first-time candidates and one incumbent seeking re-election.
Keith Waitt, a resident of the Shore Acres neighborhood, has spent his entire career in financial services in both London and New York. In 2007 he left a large global banking institution to set up his own integrated learning services firm that trains the financial sector in risk management and compliance.
Waitt is a member of the Village's Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC), which is working on the transformation of the Industrial Area. He is also currently the Chairman of the Village Budget Committee, and is seeking elected office for the first time.
“The Village of Mamaroneck is a great place to live and work, but we can do much more to improve the quality of life for all of us. We need to be far more strategic in our approach to managing and developing our Village now and for the future. We need to be more cost effective in the financial management of Village affairs while continuing to improve the quality of our services and maintain the character of this special place,” stated Mr. Waitt.
The other new candidate is Victor Tafur, a resident of the Orienta neighborhood, who is an environmental law practitioner that has worked for major environmental advocates in the region and is currently the Co-Director of the United Nations Environmental Diplomacy Program at Pace Law School as well as part-time faculty at Bard College’s Center for Environmental Policy. Tafur has served in numerous governmental capacities in Colombia prior to moving to Mamaroneck in 2004.
“There is no doubt that our location on the Long Island Sound is a tremendous asset to our community. It is one of the largest reasons that my family moved to the friendly village and I believe that in order to make our community thrive for the next generation, we need to protect it as well as find common sense ways to advance our flood mitigation plans, the redevelopment of the industrial area, and maintain a diverse and thriving community. We have many challenges ahead of us that I am looking forward to being a partner with our neighbors and all stakeholders to tackle in a collaborative way,” stated Mr. Tafur.
Leon Potok, the only incumbent Trustee seeking re-election, said, “The current Board majority has made strong positive strides to address issues and concerns of Village residents. We have energized volunteer committees, enacted legislation to protect the character of our neighborhoods, and sought to prudently manage our financial resources. We have much more to accomplish, especially with regard to our aging infrastructure that is going to cost a lot to repair. I am excited to run with a group of candidates that has the skills to help deliver results for everyone, in every part of the village. I look forward to serving with them on the Village Board.”
Village Trustees and the Mayor are elected to two-year terms
