‘I am running for Mayor to help ensure that our community delivers on the hopes of all residents.’ – Robert Grados
Irvington is united not by politics, but by the values we practice every day. As members of this great community, we walk the same streets, we eat at the same restaurants, and our children attend the same schools. We have chosen to live in Irvington for predominantly 4 reasons: Quality of life, safety, our fine schools and the expectation that our home values will at least be maintained and hopefully gradually increase. I am running for Mayor to help ensure that our community delivers on the hopes of all residents without regard to political party politics.
I will use my 30-year experience, practicing law at the highest level in real estate development and real estate finance, to ensure that future development in Irvington is consistent with the character and nature of the Village we love. Additionally, I will address the infrastructure needs of our first responders by building broad consensus for a realistic and cost-effective plan for rehabilitation of their facilities. The recent bond proposal, soundly rejected by Irvington voters, was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, including my opponent. She has since hedged her position by claiming that, as a citizen, she voted against the proposal, but I believe Irvington deserves better leadership than that. We are no closer to addressing our first responders’ needs, and to assume that my opponent will now successfully propose a realistic plan or build consensus on a plan is folly. While President of the Irvington Board of Education, I successfully led the effort to plan and pass a bond for our facilities improvement and fields remediation project. I have proven that I know how to build community consensus; I have already done so.
I will work to make our building approvals process more streamlined, user friendly and focused on the needs of our residents. With over 30-years representing municipalities and zoning and planning boards in these issues, I am uniquely suited to address the building approvals process. I know best practices of other municipalities across the country and can help enact those best practices in our Village.
As Mayor, there will be no more “Meeting Paralysis” – I will lead through action to address issues that affect Irvington. My goal is not incremental change – my goal is significant change.
I make no political promises. However, I do promise to continue with my 19-year demonstrated record of delivering positive outcomes for the Village of Irvington and all of its residents. I hope to earn your vote.
River Journal invited all candidates to submit position statements. We do not issue endorsements.
