By:Andrew Coen
The move to back Levenbrown, at a May 6 special meeting, came after weeks of controversy over whom the association would endorse, and even whether it should continue its tradition of backing candidates for village government.
The association-s 18-to-4 vote for Levenbrown came weeks after the Nominations Committee-s recommendation to endorse Felder for mayor was rejected at the group-s March 17 meeting.
We tried desperately to keep peace and harmony and to come out with a unified ticket, said Lawrence Association President Rabbi Rafael Saffra.
In view of all the turmoil, nastiness and mud-slinging over the past several weeks, said Levenbrown in a phone interview, I was pleased to receive the endorsement of the Lawrence Association for re-election.
Felder said he has decided not to seek the mayoral post to avoid a contested election that could possibly cause a division in the community. Regarding the upcoming mayoral election, I want to thank all those who believed in the purpose of my candidacy and labored many hours to bring it to a successful conclusion, he said. I am confident that had we stayed the course with the hundreds of supporters and workers we would have succeeded but at what price?
Although many of the revealed and unrevealed issues of this campaign are still there and must be resolved, to maintain peace and harmony within our midst is paramount and takes precedence over all other matters. It is for this reason that I have decided not to challenge the incumbent mayor.
Felder added that several weeks ago, the mayor asked him to Ôplease step aside for my sake.- This request remained constantly on my mind, even with the urging of many others to continue with the campaign, Felder said. I have decided to act on his wish, and extend my blessing to Jack and his dear wife for only good health and happiness. I look forward to working with the mayor and the wonderful loyal village employees for the betterment of our community, and to continue making Lawrence the wonderful place that it is.
Immediately after the May 6 meeting, village trustee Martin Oliner expressed disappointment in the Board of Governors- decision not to endorse Felder. It is extremely unfortunate that level-headed, good people are passed over, said Oliner. Felder is a Holocaust survivor who has done an extremely capable job [as trustee]. This is not a proud day for the Village of Lawrence.
In addition to endorsing Levenbrown, incumbent trustee Oliner and Village Justice Donald Buchalter, all of whom are running unopposed in the June election, the governors also voted, 15-8, to endorse Geri Gindea over zoning board member Lloyd Keilson for village trustee, to replace incumbent Margaret Carpenter, who has announced she will not seek re-election. However, both Gindea and Keilson have since dropped out of the race, and Ed Klar, who is village parks commissioner, is now running for the seat unopposed.
Gindea steps aside in favor
of Klar and tradition
of uncontested elections
A statement issued by Gindea on Monday read, As Trustee of the Village of Lawrence, Margaret Carpenter represented a certain approach to village life and community, which I share. Those principles include preserving a community where people respect each other-s right to express their views and actually listen to the various viewpoints presented before arriving at a decision that will impact on all. They also include a commitment to all, with a bias toward none. When I was asked by Mrs. Carpenter to seek the seat she was vacating, my interest was not in entering a contested election; my interest was in upholding those principles.
Gindea called Klar a man who has dedicated much time to the village and has served dutifully over the years. I have spoken with him, and inasmuch as I have his assurances that he, too, is committed to those principles of fairness and open-mindedness, and recognizing his record of service to the village, I have decided to step aside and not participate in a contested election. I do so knowing that the village which has historically not had contested elections will benefit from and be best served by the avoidance of a divisive contest.
Gindea thanked Carpenter for her wise guidance and for affording me the opportunity to learn so very much in so short a time. Thanks also to the Lawrence Association for its endorsement. I trust that in the interest of peace and harmony in the village, the Association will respect my decision. I want to thank the many people who have supported me. And finally, I hope to continue to be involved in village government so that I can do my best to serve the village we all proudly call home.
Klar is also a member of the village-s Board of Building Design and is on the finance subcommittee of the Lawrence school district. I-ve been involved and interested in village government for many years, said Klar, an attorney who has lived in the village since 1992. I feel there is a lot to contribute.
Klar said he had expressed interest in running for trustee after Carpenter announced she was not seeking re-election, but decided to step aside when Keilson, whom Klar described as a good friend, said he wanted to run. According to Klar, when Keilson decided to back out and not seek the trustee seat last Friday, he decided to enter the race. Klar also said that Gindea also decided not to run in order to avoid a potentially divisive election.
I appreciate the confidence that Geri and Lloyd are showing in me, said Klar, who is also a Lawrence Association governor. They are both upstanding members of the community.
Klar is also active in his synagogue, where he has served as vice president, and he is a member of the executive board of Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. Since 1987 he has been actively involved as an officer and board member of Chai Lifeline, an organization for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Klar also participates in the local Tomchei Shabbos, which provides food to the needy every Thursday evening.
The deadline to file papers to run for village trustee, mayor or village justice was Tuesday, May 11, at 4 p.m., after the Herald went to press.
At the April 21 meeting, the Board of Governors rejected, by a 14-11 vote, a motion by which it would have opted not to endorse any candidates for the June election.
The board voted down the original slate recommended by the Nominations Committee in a secret vote at the association-s March 17 meeting, endorsing Felder for mayor over Levenbrown. The endorsements were first revealed in a Feb. 20 summary report of the Nominations Committee, which was mailed to all Lawrence residents in the association-s newsletter and sparked controversy because it warned that certain village employees would leave if Levenbrown were re-elected.
In 2002 the association endorsed Felder for mayor, but he backed out at the 11th hour, which allowed Levenbrown to run unopposed.
The next Lawrence Association meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19, at 8 p.m., at the Lawrence Village Country Club.
