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PELHAM MANOR, N.Y. Trustees Neal Schwarzfeld and Louis Annunziata were unanimously nominated for reelection to the village board of trustees by the Pelham Manor Republican Party caucus Tuesday night. Both were also unanimously nominated by the Pelham Manor Democratic Party caucus on Jan. 24.
Former mayors of Pelham Manor, Lorri Gorman, Tom Lavin and Jay Hays, attended the caucus, as well as current Mayor James OConnor. Gorman spoke highly of the incumbents and what she considered non-partisan politics in Pelham Manor.
The two of them running really is a continuation of a long-held belief in this village to leave national party politics at the door and just attract talented people who are interested in the good of the village, Gorman said.
Schwarzfeld, a Democrat and 1971 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, was originally appointed by Gorman to serve as village attorney before being elected to the village board in 2010. Gorman commended him for the exceptional job he has done while serving as village attorney and now on the board.
Republican Annunziata, a dentist for 38 years and former 25-year chairperson of the Pelham Manor Zoning Board of Appeals, was also praised by Gorman for his many years of service to the community. He was appointed to the board in 2011 to serve the remainder of the term left by Mark Bruckmann, who resigned.
Schwarzfeld said he was grateful for the unanimous nominations. Its obviously very gratifying, he said. It shows that people think Ive done a good job. Im very honored to serve.
OConnor, who officially nominated Schwarzfeld at the meeting, said he was thankful to have both men running.
Both Annunziata and Schwarzfeld said they agreed with Gorman on the matter of bipartisan politics in Pelham Manor.
Partisan party politics are not really a factor at this level, nor should they be, Schwarzfeld said.
Annunziata added, Right now, we have two Democrats and three Republicans on the board and to be honest with you, nobody ever talks about their party affiliation. Its just a very non-partisan way of governing and it works and were going to continue to work under the same philosophy.
The March 20 village elections are so far uncontested, but both men said they plan to campaign by going out and meeting the people of the village before voting day.
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