Fellow Dems' Actions Create 'Strong Appearance Of Conflict': Mayor

MAMARONECK, NY — Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy writes that it's time to put politics aside for the sake of constituents — even if that means speaking out against traditional allies endorsed by his own party.

Op-ed authored by Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy:

The job of an elected official is to always put the interests of the residents and taxpayers first. This takes precedence over friendships or political alliances and especially over political expediency.

There are three candidates this year who are running in a Democratic primary that I believe will each have conflicts of interest if elected to office. They are Daniel Natchez, Richard Litman and Andrew Spatz.

Three of their most ardent supporters, who have gone door to door canvassing for them and who are helping their campaign, are suing the taxpayers of the Village of Mamaroneck.

These supporters are Cindy Goldstein, Stuart Tiekert and Suzanne McCrory.

Ms. Goldstein who was found by the Ethics Board to have multiple violations of the Village Ethics code. These findings have been upheld in court. Her unsuccessful litigations have cost the taxpayers $267,206

Mr. Tiekert who has been found by the Zoning Board to have an illegal apartment. This finding has been upheld by the New York State Supreme Court. His endless legal wrangling to maintain his unlawful dwelling has cost residents $72,906.

Ms. McCrory’s quixotic lawsuit about a waterline for residents was summarily dismissed by the court. The court took the almost unheard of action of awarding costs to the community for Ms. McCrory’s suit. Her actions have cost you the taxpayer $32,260. Her suit has also cost the rate payers of the Westchester Joint Waterworks $60,320.

These three serial litigants all lost their lawsuits and are currently appealing these lost litigations. That’s right - you will incur more costs in the future because of their obstinacy.

Anyone who is elected Trustee will have to deal with these three lawsuits and make decisions to protect the community and to uphold our laws. It is reasonable to ask if candidates Natchez, Litman and Spatz will recuse from these issues. This is, at the very least, a strong appearance of conflict. These candidates would never have been on the primary ballot without the support of these three litigants both in the nominating process and the petitioning process.

Trustee Natchez has already taken votes and actions that have supported these lawsuits. He voted to not enforce the Village code against Mr. Tiekert his former campaign manager and friend. He has proposed public policies that are in line with the issues raised by McCrory and Goldstein in their litigations.

I publicly ask Richard Litman and Andrew Spatz to distance themselves from these supporters (it is already too late for Natchez) so that voters will know they will make decisions on what is best for the community not friends and political cronies. If they wish to lead the Village it is perfectly legitimate to ask them how they will handle these vital but messy issues.

Tom Murphy

Tom Murphy is the Mayor of the Village of Mamaroneck.