WHY WE RUN

 

May 19, 2006

 

Dear friends,

                  To our thinking, the greatest satisfaction a person can derive is to be able to give something back to his or her community.  This is especially true in a small village like Saltaire, a place which means so much to us.  The three of us have had the honor and privilege of serving our fellow citizens in the highest offices within their gift, and are asking your support in this important election in order to continue our work to preserve Saltaire as the kind of community we have always believed it to be – a place where neighbors look out for one another, respect others, and give freely of their time and talents to work constructively for the well-being of every resident.

                  Each of us has come to the Board of Trustees after many years, first as residents, then active volunteers in other community fields.  Scott Rosenblum, a resident since 1978, quickly became involved in community affairs, becoming chair of the Saltaire Citizens’ Advisory Association (SCAA) before being elected Trustee in 1993.  In 2003, Scott became Mayor and has since led the Village through many challenges.  Hugh O’Brien served as Trustee from 1987-2001 before being elected to his present term in 2004.  He has twice served on the SCAA executive board, including three years as chair, was Commodore of the Saltaire Yacht Club and serves as well in various other civic capacities.  A lifelong resident of Fire Island, Hugh has lived in Saltaire since 1959.  Trustee Bruce Rich was elected to his first term on the Board in 2004 after a decade as chair of the Board of Assessment Review and previous service as a Yacht Club governor.  In our separate paths to the Board of Trustees, we have followed the examples of hundreds of Saltairians who over the years have similarly volunteered their efforts to enhance the quality of life in the village.

                  During the past two years, we have helped shape and bring about such things as the reconstruction of the village marina, currently underway; the rebuilding and repaving of the Bay Shore parking lot; the replenishment of the beach and the restoration of the ball field; and the legalization of outdoor cooking in the village.  We have maintained and improved recreational, public safety and other services, and have done so without any increase in taxes.

                  In the coming two years, we will face such tasks as overseeing the completion of the marina, making decisions on the future of the incinerator and refuse disposal, upgrading our Security force to peace officer status, resolving building, construction and zoning issues, and the perennial question of night bike riding.  We believe our experience on these issues, coupled with our backgrounds both on the Board and off, will be of great value in helping the Village reach workable solutions for these and other matters.

                  Finally, as most of you are aware, we have since last summer been confronted by costly, continuous and contentious litigation against the Village of Saltaire itself, the Village Administrator, and the Board members personally.  It is unfortunate that anyone claiming to care about Saltaire would willfully pursue their aims by forcing the Village to drain time, work and resources away from the real needs of the community.  We have tried to resolve these lawsuits amicably, and prefer still to do so.  But our efforts have repeatedly been rebuked with inequitable, selfish and unreasonable demands – demands which, if met, would destroy the character of this village, make public service something to be avoided out of fear of spurious legal reprisals, and betray everything generations of Saltairians have worked so hard to build.

                  We have tried to follow the traditions and practices that for almost 90 years have served to make Saltaire the unique and wonderful place it is.  Saltaire is a community-driven village -- run by its people, for its people.   Everyone has the opportunity to serve, constructively and with generosity of heart, their fellow residents, for no reason or reward other than to benefit both present and future Saltairians.  We believe it is important that we continue to cherish and protect this spirit of unselfish voluntarism that has built and maintained our community.  We shall continue to work to ensure that Saltaire remains a place where openness, responsibility and neighborliness can flourish.

                  Although we run unopposed this year, we believe it is more vital than ever that all voters cast their ballots, in support of our goals, and of all this community stands for.  We ask for the active endorsement of every Saltairian in behalf of our village…for what it is, and for what all of us, working together, can make it.

                  Thank you for your consideration and support.

Sincerely,

Scott S. Rosenblum
Hugh A. O’Brien III
Bruce A. Rich

 

IMPORTANT!  Due to the ongoing legal challenges facing us, it is possible that one or more of us will not be named on the ballot you receive.  Should this be the case, we each intend to run as write-in candidates for our offices.

In order to vote for any one of us as a write-in, you must enter our name(s) in the blank spaces provided for each office on the ballot EXACTLY as we have signed them above – that is, include middle initials, III, etc.  Otherwise your ballot may be challenged or disallowed. 

If a write-in is necessary, please be sure to write in the candidate’s name for the office he is seeking: for Mayor, Scott S. Rosenblum; for Trustee (two to be elected), Hugh A. O’Brien III and Bruce A. Rich.

If we are listed on the ballot, simply place an X or check mark beside our names in the box indicated.  You may bring this letter into the polling place to refer to when you vote.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and support in the midst of these legal maneuvers, deliberately designed to disrupt the election process and make it more difficult for you to freely exercise your rights in an open and informed manner.

ELECTION DAY:  Friday, May 26, 2006.  Polls open at the Village Hall 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m.