New Village Board rejects Rec reappointment

By MARTIN WILBUR

A majority of the Mount Kisco Village Board rejected the reappointment of a longtime Recreation Commission member Monday night, igniting a controversy in the newly configured board’s first meeting.

Trustee Tom Luzio and new members Heather Bryant and Tammy Brown, who were sworn in earlier in the evening, voted against reappointing 21-year commission member Kim Terlizzi, inviting accusations of political reprisal. Terlizzi was a strong supporter of former Deputy Mayor Theresa Flora and former trustee Angie Garcia-Guerra who were defeated in their reelection bids last month by Bryant and Brown.

Mayor J. Michael Cindrich and new Deputy Mayor Karen Schleimer voted to support Terlizzi in the board’s split vote.

The majority provided no explanation for their vote at Monday’s meeting while Cindrich, Schleimer and two speakers harshly criticized the action. 

Reached on Tuesday, Terlizzi said the three trustees’ lack of explanation for their decision at the meeting reveals to her a politically motivated action to punish her for her views. She acknowledged being outspoken on an assortment of local issues over the years, but that has never posed an obstacle in the past. Bryant and Brown also never reached out to try and speak with her before making their decisions, Terlizzi charged.

Furthermore, the board had a replacement member named on the agenda, meaning that the decision was made before the two new board members were sworn in, she said. That resolution was tabled until the next meeting. 

“I’m very active in town, giving back even before I was on the Recreation Commission, and I’ve never had an issue with my tenure on the Recreation Commission,” Terlizzi said. “I’ve worked with four (recreation) superintendents. I’ve worked with all different makeups of village boards and there’s never been an issue regarding me on the Recreation Commission. It clearly has to be political retribution.”

Luzio told The Recorder in a subsequent phone conversation that his decision against reappointing Terlizzi, whose term expired Monday, was predominantly a result of the Recreation Commission’s decision to deny Chabad of Bedford’s application to hold a Rosh Hashanah service at Leonard Park.

At the time of the denial, the commission cited the strict wording of the deed to initially deny Chabad’s permit application. After threats of litigation by Chabad, the village retaining outside counsel and public outcry, the commission awarded the permit in time for the holiday.

Luzio said he had no knowledge of the commission reaching out to the Village Board or a request to seek a legal opinion, and that the village was “hours away from a federal injunction and costly litigation” in a matter that would have likely been deemed unconstitutional. That commission action weighed heavily on his vote Monday night, he said.

“While I thank all volunteers for their service to Mount Kisco, I recognize the law, we should recognize the importance, their importance,” Luzio said. “I realize that it was time for a change. I think it’s important we fairly treat all of our residents and it’s important that our volunteers represent the very best of Mount Kisco.”

He also cited that a commission member’s seven-year term was too long to reappoint someone where he had reservations.

When reached, neither Bryant nor Brown mentioned the episode with Chabad. Bryant said her vote was “the best decision with the information that I had.”

“What I am looking for in community leaders, people to be in positions of leadership, are people who show respect for everyone within our community and everyone who is residing within our community,” Bryant said.

“I think that there’s expectations to accept the village and the members of the community, and I think that was more in line with what’s fueling this decision,” Brown stated.

Schleimer and Cindrich blasted their colleagues’ votes at a time when the village has vacancies across multiple boards and committees. Schleimer praised Terlizzi’s many years of dedication to the village and remarked that she could think of only one other instance in her time in Mount Kisco where a reappointment was rejected.

“I am really sorry and saddened that this board doesn’t want to support our volunteers who have worked so hard without a very, very good reason, and maybe we can talk about this offline,” Schleimer said. “She’s been incredible, and she has worked with our recreation chair and she has contributed more hours and more time and more energy and has done an incredible, incredible job. I am very, very, very sad that this was not supported.”

Cindrich read a Nov. 24 letter from Recreation Commission Chair Christine Dennett urging the board to reappoint Terlizzi. 

“She has been a dedicated and active member of the commission for nearly 20 years. Consistently demonstrating reliability, thoughtful decision-making and deep commitment to our village,” Dennett wrote. “Her insight and steady presence has been invaluable across the countless projects, most recently through our meaningful contribution to the teahouse refurbishment initiative. Her perspective has helped guide the project in a positive direction and reflects the level of care and experience she brings to every discussion.”

Terlizzi said she plans on applying to other boards and committees that interest her such as the Leonard Park Committee, the Byram Lake Reservoir Committee or the Conservation Advisory Council. All of those boards currently have vacancies. If denied again, it would be obvious what the new majority is doing, she said.

“They will have to answer why they keep saying no to me, and it will be crystal clear that this is politically motivated,” Terlizzi said.

Asked if he would support Terlizzi’s application to other village committees or boards, Luzio said he would consider all applicants.

“I actually hope that many other residents, including but not limited to her, apply for these positions,” he said. “We need residents, but as I also said, it’s important that the folks that are selected represent the best of what Mount Kisco is.”