Flora, Garcia-Guerra finish terms to praise

By MARTIN WILBUR

Village Board colleagues and residents sent two Mount Kisco trustees a heartfelt farewell Monday as the winning candidates in the recent election will be sworn into office in less than two weeks.

Deputy Mayor Theresa Flora and Trustee Angie Garcia-Guerra served at their final board meeting, receiving words of praise and enthusiastic ovations as they complete their two-year terms. The village will swear in Democratic trustees-elect Tammy Brown and Heather Bryant on Monday, Dec. 1, who defeated Flora and Garcia-Guerra on Election Day.

Mayor J. Michael Cindrich, who did not know Flora and Garcia-Guerra until they met each other at a gathering at Leonard Park in hopes of safeguarding the park from the potential of hosting a cell tower, said both officials only had the best interests of Mount Kisco in mind. The three were running mates on the independent Village Inclusive Party when they were victorious in 2023 and again this year.

He said they convinced him to run more than two years ago.

“They inspired me because they are both independent thinkers,” Cindrich said. “In the years since 2022, they never took orders from any political bosses; they didn’t take orders from me.”

Trustee Karen Schleimer said it was difficult for her to say so long to a pair of “incredible women” who she did not know before they served and whom she disagreed with on a variety of matters. However, they served with conviction and quickly became friends.

“I admired and still admire their passion and commitment to Mount Kisco and the people of Mount Kisco,” Schleimer said. “Never in all my 13 years, going on 14, that I have been on this board, have I ever seen such selfless dedication. Their only interest was and remains the betterment of Mount Kisco.”

Bob Dagostino, a former Mount Kisco police chief and a lifelong resident, lauded Flora and Garcia-Guera for being able to achieve many of their goals from the time they announced their candidacy, including addressing public safety throughout the village and Leonard Park, prohibiting battery energy storage systems and helping to pass legislation regulating 5G coverage.

They worked hard and served the village well alongside the other board members, he said.

“You accomplished what you set out to do, and if we could all say that at the end of what we did, we’re successful,” Dagostino said.

Although disappointed since the election, Flora said it was a happy moment for her to be able to address critical issues and that she kept her promises to the residents. She urged others to become involved, saying that she hoped their service inspires others to serve their community in whatever capacity they choose.

“This seat is not about me,” Flora said. “This seat is all about you, and that’s what I’ve tried to do the last two years. This was all about the residents of Mount Kisco.”

In addition to the issues highlighted by Dagostino, Flora also pointed to the improvement of the ball fields and the teahouse restoration at Leonard Park and the new law requiring signage be posted at the site of an ongoing application.

Garcia-Guerra, who worked alongside Flora on the aforementioned issues, also pointed to her leading the effort to establish the Hispanic Heritage Festival in late September the past two years for a community that is at least 40% Latino.

She also urged others to help their community while expressing her concerns over future development, fiscal responsibility, the volunteer emergency services and the political divisiveness that has seeped from the highest levels of government to Mount Kisco.

“I decided to get involved with this board out of concern for our village, and unfortunately, I am still concerned, now more so than ever,” said Garcia-Guerra, who struggled to fight back tears, added, “So I warn our residents, each and every one of you, to be engaged, to pay attention and to participate. You don’t need to be in one of these seats to take care of your community.”