Lawrence trustee Ed Klar won’t seek re-election

Saying that he is frustrated with the current administration’s operation of the village and its unresponsiveness to his requests for decision-making information, Trustee Ed Klar said he would not seek re-election to a fifth two-year term in the village elections on June 19.

“For the past two years,” Klar said at the board meeting on May 3, “I have been very vocal, both privately, with the individuals involved, and publicly, at our monthly … meetings, concerning the lack of information being provided to the members of the village Board of Trustees by the village administration, as well as the lack of responsiveness and follow-up. Exercising my fiduciary responsibility on behalf of our residents is extremely important to me. That responsibility cannot be exercised in the dark.”

Klar, a trustee for the past eight years, also served on Lawrence’s Parks Commission after initially getting involved in the village in 2002, as a member of the building design board.

A Lawrence resident for 20 years, Klar, 60, is a certified public accountant with the Orentreich Medical Group LLP in Manhattan. He and his wife, Sandy, have four children and a half-dozen grandchildren.

Klar also said at the meeting that he has “historically been spending upwards of 10 to 20 hours per week on village activities. When I felt that I was being productive on behalf of our residents, it was my pleasure, even though it took more time away from my family and from my business responsibilities than anticipated. Unfortunately, with the ongoing lack of cooperation and information, for me, personally, it has come to the point where I no longer feel that my time and efforts are being well spent.”

After the meeting, Klar told the Herald that he is “… frustrated with the direction the village has gone ... The village is not being run as effectively and efficiently as it can be.”

Two of Klar’s fellow board members and frequent voting allies spoke about their colleague’s efforts. “His contributions behind the scenes are invaluable,” said Deputy Mayor Joel Mael. “We didn’t always agree, but he had no personal agenda. It’s very sad.”

Like Mael, Trustee Michael Fragin noted Klar’s work in helping to upgrade conditions and increase membership in the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club, which is owned and operated by the village. “I learned a tremendous amount from him about things that had gone on in this village,” Fragin said. “The country club would not be on the upswing without him. His perspective cannot be replicated.”

The village election is June 19. Incumbents Mayor Martin Oliner, Trustee C. Simon Felder and Justice Donald Buchalter are running for re-election on the Unity Party ticket. Village resident Irving Langer is also expected to run for the board.

“I think Ed served the village with diligence and integrity and dignity,” Oliner said.

Candidate petitions are due in the village administrator’s office by 5 p.m. on May 15.