Race for Lawrence mayor heating up

Interest in the June 15 Lawrence village elections is growing. Village Trustees Martin Oliner and Michael Fragin have thrown their hats into the ring in the race for mayor, increasing the likelihood of a rare contested election in the community.

Current Mayor Simon Felder said he has not made a final decision on whether to seek a second term. He interviewed with the Lawrence Association's Nominating Committee last week about running for trustee, according to the group's president, Rochelle Kevelson. 

"I have not made any final decision regarding the upcoming village election," said Felder. "I'm exploring all options."

Also up for re-election this year are Trustees Ed Klar and Oliner. Lawrence has not had a contested village election since 2003, when Joel Mael unseated incumbent Trustee Howard Siskind. Last year, Jacqueline Handel set out to challenge Fragin but dropped out after the county Board of Elections ruled that some petitions she had gathered were invalid. 

Oliner said that after serving as a trustee for more than a decade, he feels that he could accomplish more as mayor. He has also gotten involved in issues beyond Lawrence's borders, such as fighting development on Rockaway Turnpike, and has met regularly with local elected officials. 

"I want to see Lawrence be a diverse village with the needs of all constituencies fully met," said Oliner, who has been the village's deputy mayor since 2008. "I think I'm the most experienced man for the job."

Fragin, who considered a run for mayor in 2008 before being appointed a trustee by Felder, said he would run on a platform of transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility that would include cutting village taxes and streamlining government. He said that one of his chief goals is to make information on building applications available online. 

"I think the village needs to be a little more user-friendly," Fragin said.