Dan's Papers - June 26, 2009 - Sag Harbor Mayor Elections: An Analysis

On July 6 at noon in the Municipal Building in Sag Harbor, Brian Gilbride will cap 20 years of public service on both the town and village level by assuming the duties of Mayor of the Village of Sag Harbor. The election for mayor this year was a three-candidate election in contrast to three years ago, when current village Mayor Greg Ferraris ran unopposed.

A post election analysis took place in the meeting room on the second floor of the Municipal Building where both current Mayor Ferraris and Mayor-Elect Gilbride gave their candid opinions on why the election went the way it did. Both agreed that the three-man race did bring out more voter interest as reflected in the increase in Sag Harbor residents who voted (in 2006, close to 200 voted for unopposed village mayor, and 2009 a record 790 voted for village mayor). Gilbride, the winner with 49% of the vote (390 votes) who says, "I will always be casual, I will never be a suit and tie guy," thought the tactics of Jim Henry (who received the fewest votes of the three - 169 votes) worked to Gilbride's advantage. An example was Henry's scare tactics concerning Havens Beach which were said to be not based in fact, making Gilbride, in his own opinion, look the most credible. Mayor Ferraris summed up Henry's candidacy as "very progressive," well intended, but too ambitious for the village level concerning cultural and education programs - and perhaps too negative.

As for Michael Bromberg, who received just over 20% of the vote (192 votes), Gilbride said, "Mike's a nice guy but even he admitted often he had more questions than answers." Gilbride believes he won a large percentage of the long-time residents, but held his own with new and younger residents.

Asked what changes he will make once mayor, Gilbride said, "Nothing is going to change. The village is in good shape. We are going to keep the budget tight, hoping to end the year on budget." He stated emphatically that his first priority is to hold the line on spending and move forward on the wetlands code. He vows to maintain the high level of service the village provides, with its great "police force, highway department and village office," but he will "toe a tough line on the village budget. I listen to the residents, they want strong fiscal responsibility." As Gilbride said this, Mayor Ferraris smiled, concurring.

To clear up the Havens Beach issue, both the mayor and the mayor-elect said the Cornell University lab results the village had contracted will dictate which action the village will take concerning the drain ditch runoff, and the pollution issues it may create. However both men stressed Havens Beach is not polluted or unsafe. "We will just improve it," is what current mayor Ferraris said. Gilbride said, "The village will remediate the ditch to reduce storm water runoff, which I believe has been causing the problem." Gilbride added that Havens Beach was the one he used the most "as a kid growing up."

To replace himself on the Village Board of Trustees, Gilbride is going to name Robbie Stein, who came in third (292 votes) in the voting behind incumbent Ed Gregory (340 votes) and newly elected Trustee Tim Culver (412 votes). "Robbie has some great ideas and now he will get an opportunity to put them into practice," said Gilbride, adding that Jane Holden, who came in forth, is also a talent and he hopes that somehow she will be able to contribute to the village on some level.

Both men then spoke of the team atmosphere prevalent in the Village over the last six years. Even in disagreement the respect was genuine for the opposition, and in the end everyone united once a decision was made for the good of the village. "I will continue that atmosphere of team," said Gilbride.

The theme often repeated by both men was the concept of keeping Sag Harbor what it is now. "This is a special place," explained Gilbride. "I was born here in 1947. My son Kevin, my daughter Kerri and my three grandchildren Tyler, Kasey, and Gavin all live in the village, as well as Georgeann, my wife of 42 years. I could have moved but I always chose to stay."

Now Gilbride will become mayor at noon on July 6. As for current Mayor Ferraris, he goes to his C.P.A. office across the street knowing he has handed over a town he found in chaos to his successor in fine shape during these difficult times. Gilbride said he would have voted for Ferraris himself if the mayor had decided to run again, adding, "He's done one heck of a job."