Our mayoral election has resulted in an energized community deeply engaged in shaping our village’s future. With two dedicated candidates offering their vision for Irvington, this election has sparked conversations throughout the village. My hope and expectation is we will witness the largest voter turnout ever for a village mayoral election.
Like many of you, I’ve grown frustrated watching our local government become increasingly disconnected from the issues that affect us daily. Bob Grados is running precisely to change that—to restore responsive, effective leadership that listens and delivers.
As a longtime Irvington resident and parent, I’m writing to share why I’m voting for Bob Grados. During his six years on the school board—including two as president — he delivered results that directly benefited our families.
Bob’s school board record speaks volumes. Over six budgets, which are four times larger than the village budget, he helped achieve the lowest year-over-year tax increases in the county. He negotiated smart labor contracts and helped hire our superintendent. Real leadership means solving problems, not prolonging them. Within six months of joining the Board of Education, Bob settled all litigation against the district without payment to any plaintiff — saving taxpayer money and ending years of costly disputes. Most impressively, he accomplished what two previous boards couldn’t: passing the $4.6 million facilities and fields bond that transformed our schools. Visit Mazzaro Field today to see the difference strong leadership makes.
This track record is why Bob’s leadership is needed now. Our current trustees spend money on consultants and hold endless meetings, but when it comes time to improve village facilities and infrastructure, they can’t pull the trigger. While some confuse asking questions at meetings with leadership, Bob understands that real leadership means delivering results. His 15-year volunteer record in Irvington is marked by accomplishments, not just attendance. Bob has proven that he can build consensus, make tough calls and deliver results that last.
The contrast couldn’t be clearer. Bob brings 30 years of real estate development experience and knowledge of best practices from municipalities across the country. As a partner in international law firms specializing in real estate finance and development, Bob doesn’t just talk about best practices — he’s implemented them. He’s navigated complex municipal issues across the country and knows what works. He’s ready to act, not study. Families don’t move to Irvington for aging facilities — they come for a community that invests in its future. Bob understands what attracts the next generation and he knows how to deliver it.
Bob has always approached local issues by asking one simple question: What is best for Irvington? Not what serves a political party agenda, not what’s expedient, but what will genuinely improve life for our residents. This principled approach guided him through six years on the school board and will guide him as mayor.
The current board’s handling of the recent bond proposal reveals everything voters need to know. They unanimously approved it, watched it fail at the polls, and then some board members claimed they’d personally opposed it all along. That’s not leadership — that’s political hedging that undermines public trust.
Bob’s independence matters here. By running on the Irvington First line, he’s putting community above party. His school board experience shows he knows how to listen to the community, adjust course when necessary, and build winning coalitions.
I’m voting for Bob Grados because his record proves he can do for our village what he did for our schools — build consensus, manage budgets responsibly, and deliver the infrastructure improvements we desperately need. We need a mayor who focuses on results over process, who has already proven he can tackle complex challenges and win community support.
Paul Barger
Irvington
