Q&A With the Candidates: Toby Marrow

On March 16, Rye Brook will hold an election for its Village Board of Trustees. Mayor Joan Feinstein, who was elected in 2008, is currently uncontested in her efforts to seek re-election. However, three candidates are vying for two spots that will be left vacant by Village Trustees Dean Santon and Patricia Sanders Romano, who aren't seeking re-election.

In the run-up to the election, Rye Patch is featuring a Q&A with the candidates. Up first is Toby Marrow, a resident of Rye Brook for the last 21 years.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

 My husband Ted and I have lived in the Arbors in Rye Brook for the past 21 years. We have two children, Nathan, 16, and Hannah, 10, attending the Blind Brook schools. I work full-time in the finance area for Temple Israel of New Rochelle.  I also have worked in accounting for an environmental graphics design firm and a commercial brokerage firm. Prior to that I worked for American Savings Bank initially in operations, moving to the systems and development area where, in my position of systems support officer,  I managed the systems support services department. This is where I acquired extensive experience in project management. I'm an avid walker and enjoy reading and playing mahjong when I have the time.  

2. Why did you decide to run for public office and have you ever been involved in politics before? 

While I realize that I am running for public office,  I do not consider myself a politician. Politics is not my passion.  Rolling up my sleeves, addressing issues, listening to community members and solving problems is my view of what my role will be as a Village Trustee.  I equate a Village Trustee position with a community service volunteer, and running for this seat is a natural progression, having previously volunteered in other areas within the Village of Rye Brook. 

3. What is your campaign platform? 

I will always work hard for everyone. I believe in open government and I want to hear the concerns of our residents.  I will be respectful and responsive to all of them.  

4. What local civic groups are you involved in? 

 I have been active in the Blind Brook -Rye Union Free School District PTA, having volunteered for the Ridge Street School store and for the Ridge Street PTA after school activities program.  While serving on the Arbors Homeowners Association Board, including a term as president, I was an active participant in a homeowners consortium in Rye Brook.  I also served on the Rye Brook Advisory Committee for the development of the Rye Brook Athletic Field at King Street.  

5. What are the three most important issues local government needs to address in the village? How would your presence on the village board help to move these issues forward? 

The three most important issues that local government needs to address in the Village are  finances, which include the upcoming budget and the potential for shared services to reduce the cost of government, while maintaining our quality of life in the face of difficult economic times. Two, preservation of open space balanced with future development, such as the proposed project at the Hilton and possible airport expansion. Three,  location of the affordable housing mandated by the County.

I believe that maintaining a balanced perspective, coupled with attention to detail and the ability to listen to all sides are valuable assets that I can contribute to move these issues forward. Additionally, the practical experience that I have gained in the areas of finance and project management can also help to progress these issues. 

6. You have lived in the Arbors for 21 years. The Arbors has been in constant discussion with the board about several issues, particularly the PUD. Are you planning to get these issues resolved once you're elected? 

It has always been my hope as an Arbors resident that the PUD update process dictated by Village Code and the ensuing title issues would be resolved in a timely and cost effective manner.  I believe that great progress has been made on both of these fronts. While the title issues are not in the jurisdiction of the Village, they are intertwined now with the PUD update as the Arbors must provide an updated site plan and the plan cannot be completed until the title issues are resolved. It is also my understanding that the Village has been very helpful in using whatever influence they have to get the Title Companies on board to resolve the problem. 

I have been an active voice in moving these processes forward and do not see that role changing. I am also aware, however, that there is a potential conflict of interest for a Trustee who is an Arbors resident to participate in an issue that might have monetary implications.  It is my intention to seek a ruling from the Ethics Committee to determine what role, if any, an Arbors resident and former Arbors board member could play as a Village Trustee in continuing discussions and votes on these and other Arbors-related matters. I trust that my future fellow Board members will continue to work responsibly with the Arbors to resolve all issues, and I will join them and work within the confines of what our ethics rules permit. 

7.  Will living in the Arbors affect the way you govern and the issues you address, for better or worse, as a village trustee? 

 I do not believe that living in the Arbors as opposed to any other area in the Village of Rye Brook will affect the way that I would govern or the issues that I address as a Village Trustee, as I will be representing the entire Village of Rye Brook.  I do believe, however, that having served on the Arbors Board of Directors for approximately six years  will be an asset as a Village Trustee. During my tenure on the Arbors Board, there were a myriad of complicated and big ticket issues that I, along with my fellow board members, were able to successfully navigate for a positive outcome, while at the same time always maintaining positive relations. My work with the Arbors, in many ways, was similar to running a small village. 

8. How will you deal with perceptions that you may be more of an advocate for the Arbors community rather than people living elsewhere in the village? 

Every person sitting on the Village Board has to live somewhere in the Village of Rye Brook.  I do not believe that I would be perceived as being more of an advocate for where I live than any of the other Village officials serving before, or with, me. During my tenure on the Arbors Board, we negotiated with the Village for the sale of Arbors land to build the King Street Fields that benefit the entire Rye Brook community. This is just one example of how the Arbors is not a Village unto itself, it is a vital part of the Village of Rye Brook. It is also comprised of more than 500 residents that can have differing opinions and views. And while I have firsthand knowledge of the many complicated issues that are facing the Arbors, as a Village Trustee it would be incumbent upon me to gather the same amount of information and knowledge from other community members on issues that could affect them. 

9. Budget season is fast approaching. In these times of economic hardship, in what areas should the village cut expenses or increase them? What kind of budget would you like to see approved this year? 

I believe that preparing budgets is always a balancing act between providing services and the associated cost of expenses. This year's budget will be extremely challenging in these times of economic hardship due to decreased revenues and additional retirement expenses. I am not prepared at this time to recommend specific cuts, but believe that the new budget should "hold the line" on increases, commensurate with these difficult economic times.