Karin Wompa Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Sleepy Hollow

Former Sleepy Hollow Deputy Mayor Karin Wompa this week officially announced her candidacy for Mayor.

Wompa, currently a Village Trustee, will oppose incumbent Mayor Ken Wray, who is spearheading a new political party in the village called Unite Sleepy Hollow.

Among the issues upon which Wompa said she will concentrate are ensuring the former General Motors site “is managed properly, and in a coordinated effort,” and revitalizing the Downtown District.

“If executed properly, I believe our Village’s finances will be a lot more secure,” said Wompa in a statement. “Sleepy Hollow has new challenges, and it’s time for a fresh approach. Eight years ago, my opponent was the right candidate at the right time. But, these are new times with new challenges, and we need a better approach and different kind of leadership.”

The village election is March 18.

Below is Wompa’s full statement:

Karin Wompa, a longtime Village Trustee and former Deputy Mayor of Sleepy Hollow, has announced her candidacy for Mayor of Sleepy Hollow. The election will be held on March 18, 2015. Wompa, a Democrat, secured her party’s nomination with an overwhelming show of support from Sleepy Hollow residents at the Democratic Caucus in January.

Wompa said she is running to ensure that the redevelopment of the Village’s former General Motors site is managed properly, and in a coordinated effort. She’s also planning on working to ensure the concerns of nearby neighbors regarding construction traffic and noise are not overlooked. Downtown Sleepy Hollow also requires attention, and Wompa is passionate about revitalizing the area to maximize the boost that The Lighthouse Landing development site will bring.

“If executed properly, I believe our Village’s finances will be a lot more secure,” she said. “Sleepy Hollow has new challenges, and it’s time for a fresh approach. Eight years ago, my opponent was the right candidate at the right time. But, these are new times with new challenges, and we need a better approach and different kind of leadership.”

During the past 7 years, Wompa was instrumental, as part of the GM committee, in negotiating the special permit to redevelop the former General Motors site. Now that the property has been sold, she believes the Village has a role to work collaboratively with the developer, while preserving the needs of existing neighborhoods and revitalizing the village’s downtown.

• • Drove the process to reclaim taxes on $1 million owed to the Village, and was able to reclaim over $500,000 through a successful tax lien sale
  • Administered the $385,000 Facade Improvement grants for Sleepy Hollow’s Downtown saving funds from being forfeited
  • Addressed the sink holes at the Bulkhead (which saved Sleepy Hollow taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars)
  • Coordinated a successful effort to save the Sleepy Hollow post office, and spurred renovations at Morse Park
  • In 2008 saved the senior center plans from being cancelled, due to economy
  • Led the charge to sell vacant properties on Beekman Ave, including the empty building lots and the Union Building
  • Reached out to the county and worked across party lines to discuss Kingsland Park issues

It’s not personal; it’s just time for a new direction.

Wompa and the current administration have worked together for a long time at Village Hall. She said she was motivated to run for the position of mayor because she has seen “a real slip” in the amount of attention the current mayor is giving Village issues, coupled with a lack of focus and enthusiasm for the critical role the job entails.

“I don’t believe in magic; I believe in hard work and collaboration,” says Wompa. “As mayor, I will be involved as an active partner in an economic development process to ensure that redevelopment efforts benefit the entire Village and stabilize our tax base.”

Photo: Karin Wompa. Photo credit: Contributed

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