Schleimer won't run again for seat on Mount Kisco Village Board

By MARTIN WILBUR

Mount Kisco trustee and current Deputy Mayor Karen Schleimer’s 14-year run on the Village Board will come to an end later this year.

Schleimer announced Tuesday that she will not mount an independent candidacy that she had floated earlier this spring after deciding against forcing a primary once the village’s Democratic Committee failed to endorse her for an eighth term in February. The committee opted to back Trustee Tom Luzio, currently in his first term, and Planning Board Chair Michael McGuirk.

Schleimer left open the remote possibility of a grassroots write-in campaign for the general election if there was a groundswell of support. Otherwise, she is comfortable with leaving the board.

“I’ve done my time, I think I’ve served a very useful purpose,” Schleimer said. “I think I will continue till December to serve a useful purpose, and if people really want me to continue, there’s still an opportunity to do that. If not, I will bow to the people’s wishes, and if what they want is new blood, then so be it.”

After being passed over by the committee, Schleimer, an attorney, said that she thought she had support for a viable independent run, but that fizzled.

Schleimer’s election to the Village Board in 2012 followed years of service to Mount Kisco, including three years as village prosecutor, 10 years as the chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, counsel to the ZBA and a brief stint on the Planning Board.

Once Schleimer leaves the board, she said she will continue to find ways to help the community and maybe find some new pursuits. 

“I remain committed to our town and the people who call it home,” Schleimer posted on her Facebook page. “I will stay engaged in the work ahead and ready to help where I can. If the time is right, I will be ready to serve.”

She did express concern that there will be little experience among the trustees once she departs with several serious issues facing the village. Among those are the Preston Way bridge reconstruction, water issues and the challenges dealing with public vagrancy and homelessness. Mayor J. Michael Cindrich is in his third year in his return to the post after previously serving for 14 years.

While her service on the board will end in December, Schleimer said she will go out with her head held high. She has cultivated a role as a bit of a contrarian by questioning routine bills and budget transfers and calling for more analysis on a range of issues.

“I think that I’ve been able to make a difference in certain areas and I really have enjoyed the ability to make a difference,” Schleimer said. “I’ll miss that.”