Mamaroneck Town Elections begin to shape up

Town Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe (R) formally announced today that she will not seek re-election for a fourth term this November. The Town Democrats are backing Councilwoman Nancy Seligson as her replacement at the top of a ticket that includes incumbents David Fishman and Phyllis Wittner.

Fishman, however, has no intention to seek reelection this fall. The councilman told The Sound & Town Report last month that he would not be returning to council, and confirmed as much today. “I haven’t changed anything in my mind,” Fishman told The Sound & Town. He explained that there is a mechanism in election law that allows for substitution of a candidate and that the Town Democratic Committee was still interviewing candidates to fill his vacancy. “I’ve said that I would work with them in that way,” he added.

Wittner said tonight at the formal announcement that she was happy to have the opportunity to seek her fifth term on the council. "There are still things I think can accomplish," she said. The councilwoman added that she has been fortunate to work with a terrific board that is able to work together on issues, two of which--revaluation and affordable housing--are items she hopes to make progress with in the upcoming term.

O'Keeffe said she made the decision not to run two years ago. “I have been privileged to work for the Town of Mamaroneck for almost 12 years as Supervisor and now think it’s time to give somebody else a chance," she said in a statement. "During my years I have enjoyed a serious but very cordial collegial relationship with my fellow Board members even though we have been members of different parties."

O'Keeffe expressed hope that the council can continue in a bi-partisan manner, and her Democratic colleagues may get that chance in the form of Seth Marcus, the Town Republicans' only announced candidate thus far. O'Keeffe strongly endorsed him as "a gifted, community-minded lawyer with children in our local schools."