Janette Hayes to be appointed to Village Board

Tuckahoe Mayor Steven Ecklond (R) said he plans to appoint Janette Hayes (R) to the Village Board at Monday night's meeting.

"Janette stood out for me because she's going to bring the board a very strong business management background, as well as a great desire for public service," said Ecklond. He said he has known Hayes for around six years and noted her active involvement in numerous community events in the village over the past several years.

Ecklond said that after interviewing Hayes for the third time last night, he made his decision to appoint her. Hayes, he said, was among five potential candidates for the seat whom he has been interviewing in recent weeks.

"I'm a patient person, so I liked to give myself the opportunity to process some of my thoughts from earlier interviews," he said, noting that he particularly wanted to make sure Hayes was comfortable with the time commitment involved in the village trustee seat.

"I really am honored to be given this opportunity to move forward and continue my public service with the village in this capacity," said Hayes, noting that she respected Ecklond's commitment to a full process for the appointment.

Hayes grew up in Eastchester and graduated from Eastchester High School but moved to her co-op in Tuckahoe seven years ago. She served for close to a year as a commissioner for the Tuckahoe Housing Authority and served for two years with the Tuckahoe Youth Advisory Committee.

Professionally, she serves as assistant to the president at Unitex Textile Rental Services, based in Mount Vernon, which provides uniforms and linens to health care organizations.

Hayes received her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Concordia College, and, two years ago, she completed her Master of Business Administration degree at Iona College.

Hayes will fill the vacancy created when Ecklond left his trustee seat to take the mayor's position beginning last month. Hayes will serve out the remainder of Ecklond's term, which ends March 31, 2012.

Look for more on the Janette Hayes appointment in the May 13 issue of The Town Report newspaper!