Rye Brook Together Nominates Candidates for March 2008 Election
-- Feinstein for Mayor, Sanders-Romano and Santon for Trustees --

Rye Brook, New York, December 12, 2007 – Rye Brook Together, a local community action group that was formed in 2004, today announced that it has nominated Trustee Joan L. Feinstein for Mayor, Trustee Patricia Sanders Romano for re-election to her present office, and Dean P. Santon for Trustee. Lawrence A. Rand, current mayor and a Rye Brook Together member, has said he will not seek re-election after serving for two terms as mayor and a prior term as trustee.

Kenneth L. Berman, Rye Brook Together’s Chairman, said “We are pleased to nominate these outstanding individuals for office. Joan Feinstein and Pat Romano have demonstrated the kind of thoughtful, proactive leadership our village deserves. They have accomplished a great deal, earning the trust and respect of the entire community. We strongly and enthusiastically endorse them.”

“We are excited that Dean Santon is seeking to rejoin the Board of Trustees. As a former trustee, he understands the workings of Rye Brook and its village government. His energy, passion and willingness to help make him an excellent candidate for trustee.”

“While we, and all of our neighbors, will miss Larry Rand’s leadership, he has assured us of his ongoing participation in village life. On behalf of our community, I would like to thank him for his hard work as mayor,” Mr. Berman said.

Feinstein has served four years as village trustee, the past three as deputy mayor. She also served for six years on the Blind Brook Board of Education, including two as President, and almost two years on the Zoning Board of Appeals. If elected, she would be the first woman to serve as mayor in Rye Brook’s 25-year history.

“I want to continue the positive developments that have taken place during my four years on the Board of Trustees. Mayor Rand has set a high standard for building collegial relationships with both of our school districts and our neighboring municipalities, open dialogue with our residents and fiscal accountability, as evidenced by one of the lowest village tax rates in Westchester,” Trustee Feinstein said.

“I look forward to the completion of an intermunicipal agreement that would assure the fiscal stability and governance of the Port Chester Public Library, the creation of a comprehensive plan which will provide a roadmap for the future of the Village and the implementation of flood control measures. I am honored that Rye Brook Together has offered me this nomination.”

Pat Sanders Romano is a 22-year resident of Rye Brook. She has been a Trustee since 2006 and is currently leading the effort to develop the Comprehensive Plan. Prior to that, she was a member of the Village Planning Board for four years. Romano previously served as President of the Bellefair Homeowners Association and was also a member of the Parent Advisory Committee at Blind Brook Middle School/High School.

“I am thrilled to be running for re-election. I want to be a partner in maintaining the current board’s momentum in preserving and improving the quality of life for all in Rye Brook,” Trustee Romano said. “I’ve worked diligently to ensure that the environment and character of the Village are preserved. I am committed to maintaining the village’s fiscal stability while guaranteeing the provision of high-quality services.”

Dean Santon was born and raised in Rye Brook. He served two terms as Rye Brook Trustee (2001-2005), and was deputy mayor from 2004 to 2005, before relocating to London with his family for the past two years.

“I look forward to re-joining the BOT to stimulate open discussion and debate on important matters before the village. I intend to continue the pursuit of much needed storm water management projects, zoning code reform, land use review, beautification of our streetscapes and quality of life matters facing Rye Brook and its residents," said Santon. “I’m looking forward to running along side Joan Feinstein and Pat Romano.”

Rye Brook Together is a non-political group of residents from all areas of our Village who believe in forward-thinking, fiscally responsible leadership that will build consensus and a sense of community throughout Rye Brook.

For additional information about the candidates and the group, please visit www.ryebrooktogether.org, or e-mail the group at info@ryebrooktogether.org

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