Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
October 21, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 43 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Mayor to take 3 trustees to court over referendum By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Amidst boiling tensions over a referendum that would alter the mayor’s powers, Norman Rosenblum, the village of Mamaroneck’s Republican mayor, will sue the three Democrats on the Board of Trustees over alleged breaches in the Open Meetings Law. According to an order for declaratory judgment which was sent to a New York state Supreme Court judge on Oct. 17, Rosenblum will seek to nullify a decision by the Democratic majority of Leon Potok, David Finch and Ilissa Miller on the village board to authorize a ballot referendum that—if passed by public vote on Election Day—would alter the mayor’s ability to appoint a village attorney as well as certain Mamaroneck celebrates Elizabeth Brissette’s second-half goal against Scarsdale. land use board members. The Tigers topped the Raiders on Oct. 17 as time expired to win a league title and secure a “I will not bow down,” Rosentop seed in the upcoming Class A sectionals. For more, see page 23. Photo/Mike Smith blum said. “This is a continued attack on the office of mayor.” In the mayor’s lawsuit— which would upend an upcoming public vote on his powers front of residents from across ence—he has spent nearly 30 of appointment—he claims that By JAMES PERO the county, incumbent state years in elected office—Killian, the village board meeting held Staff Writer Sen. George Latimer, a Rye a first-time Senate candidate, on Sept. 6, which authorized two Two candidates for New York Democrat, squared off against looked to pivot her newcomer public referendums on the Nov. state Senate in Westchester’s challenger Julie Killian, a Re- status as a harbinger of Albany 8 ballot, failed to be properly no37th District continue to court publican councilwoman from reform; a major theme in her ticed and broke New York state undecided voters in a series of Rye. campaign so far. Open Meetings Law. scheduled debates leading up to While Latimer, now a two“I decided to run for state The state law stipulates that Election Day. term senator, looked to cham- Senate the day [Sheldon] Silver agenda items during Board of At the Harrison Public Lipion his blue collar Westchester Trustees meetings must be propDEBATE continued on page 15 erly noticed—both in local mebrary on Monday, Oct. 17, in roots and breadth of experi-
HERE COME THE CHAMPS
Latimer, Killian debate centers on Albany reform
dia as well as municipal websites—beforehand. Specifically, the law is meant to provide community members ample notice beforehand and insight into important legislative decisions. Board Democrats, however, have characterized Rosenblum’s suit against them as an attempt to retain his own power. “Rather than demonizing the Democratic trustees, the mayor should focus on the substance of the issue,” said Potok. “His lawsuit is without merit and would deny residents the opportunity to vote their views.” The debate over what the mayor’s powers of appointments should be was spurred in August when village board Democrats introduced a proposed public law that would become the precursor to the referendum. Democrats argue that the mayor has enjoyed unilateral powers of appointment by abusing what is known as the “holdover” rule. According to this village rule, the mayor is able to appoint members to land use boards— the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals—if there is a sudden vacancy, like a resignation or when someone is removed from their position. Once that interim appointee serves out the rest of the previous member’s term, the vote must go to the Board of Trustees MAYOR continued on page 17