On Tuesday evening, both Irvington Democrats and Republicans held their caucuses to nominate candidates for mayor and two open seats on the village board. Elections are slated for Tuesday, March 15.

Mayor Jonathan Siegel announced he would not be running for another term, and Irvington Republicans nominated current trustee Brian Smith to fill his shoes; Republicans did not nominate any candidates for the open trustees positions.

Democrats nominated current board members Constance Kehoe and Kenneth Bernstein to remain in their positions; they did not nominate anyone to run against Smith for mayor.

"I think that the mandates from Albany, funding the Nature Center and continuing services with staff retirement costs going up every year are our biggest challenges," Smith said.  

Despite being from opposing political parties, Smith, Kehoe and Bernstein all expressed similar desires to remain together governing the village.

 "We work so well now as a team," Kehoe said. "We wanted to keep supporting each other going forward."

If elected, Smith would appoint someone to fill his spot on the board for the second year of his two-year term. Smith was elected to the board two years ago to finish an unexpired term and then ran again successfully last year. 

Smith has not yet decided whom he would appoint to the board if he is elected mayor. "I have met with three people so far," he said.

Kehoe has served one two-year term and Bernstein has been on the board only since last spring, when Trustee John Malone resigned due to a conflict of interest.

"I've enjoyed being on the board," Bernstein said. "I hope to continue the work that the current board is doing. It's great that we spend time getting actual work done rather than bickering."

One goal he has is to increase community outreach and to keep residents in the loop—something that has come to the forefront during recent public hearings when residents opposed changing the waterfront zoning law to allow a parking garage. 

February 1 is the first day to file an independent nominating petition, and those much be filed by Tuesday, Feb. 8, said Village Clerk Brenda Jeselnik. Not having heard of any potential independent candidates, Jeselnik said, "I expect this to be an uncontested election."

Despite not having to wage a full-out campaign, Kehoe said she Smith and Bernstein had already discussed hosting "community coffees" or other such public informational forums to "find out what Irvington residents are thinking should be  addressed or accomplished."

"In some ways contested elections are better for everyone but the candidates," Smith said. "Connie, Ken and I hope to create a charged atmosphere even if elections are not contested. I think the budget will continue to dominate discussions; any more cuts will directly impact services and we want to engage the public before we vote on the budget."  

Smith admitted, "It's not a great time to run for mayor. But looking at the circumstances, I believe I am the best person for the job. It is definitely a different mindset from 10 years ago—but we hope to make improvements that come at little or no cost to the village."