Politics & Government

Jason Mehler Plans to Run for Rye City Council

This will be the local realtor's second bid for council.

 Local realtor Jason Mehler has announced his intentions to run for Rye City Council this year. Mehler, a 47-year-old Independent, ran for council last year when Republican Council member Suzanna Keith relocated, leaving an open seat on the council. However, Mayor Doug French appointed Julie Killian to that seat.

Mehler has lived in Rye since 2000, works at Better Homes and Gardens and is already active in local government. He was recently reappointed to three-year terms on the Rye Town Park Advisory Committee and on the Rye Recreation Commission this year.

In a released statement, Mehler wrote:  
“I want to be part of the process to “Make Rye Better”.  My extensive financial background and understanding of budgeting, employment issues, financial statement and cash flow analysis will be a great addition in helping the council with its essential task of fiscal accountability. I believe that my experience, coupled with my passion to keep Rye’s local government strong, will help me bring new ideas and new solutions to the Rye City Council.  I am looking forward to solving problems, making positive changes for the future of Rye and working with all members of the council.”

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In reference to the financial challenges the city council faces, Mehler said: “I understand we must do more with less. Expenses continue to rise and we must think differently to balance our budget.”

Mehler and his wife, a fourth grade teacher at Osborn School, chose to live in Rye because of the community, school system and proximity to the Long Island Sound and Park, where he now walks his two-year-old pekapoo every day, he said.  The Mehler’s have two children that attend Milton and Osborn schools.  If elected, he says that serving as a councilman would be his number one priority.

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Mehler hopes to garner a nomination from one of the local parties in coming weeks. Candidates must have all the required signatures to run for office by June.

Four council members terms will end this fall – incumbents Peter Jovanovich, Julie Killian and Richard Filippi and incumbent Mayor French.

Killian will be seeking re-election, Filippi is not expected to run for another term, and Jovanivich has notified the Rye GOP that he is considering a run for mayor, according to The Rye Sound Shore Review. 

Mayor Douglas French announced he will not be running for re-election this year. Following Sack’s announcement, Councilman Joe Sack said he is seeking the Republican City Committee’s nomination and Councilwoman Catherine Parker, a Democrat, said she is considering a mayoral run but has not made a final decision.

Sack, Parker and Councilwoman Laura Brett’s terms are not set to expire until 2015.

Read a Q&A with Mehler from his first bid for office here. 

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What do you want to hear from Rye politicians in this year's election cycle? Tell us in the comments. 


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