Editor’s note: This campaign statement was provided by Maurice Owen-Michaane, Republican candidate for Village of Pelham Manor trustee. He will also be on the Neighborhood Party line. The Pelham Examiner publishes statements in the form received as a service to the community.

Dear Neighbors and Friends, 

I’m honored to announce my candidacy for re-election as your Pelham Manor Trustee. Over the past four years, I’ve served as your Trustee with dedication, guided by the values instilled in me as an Eagle Scout and as a parent of five. As we look ahead, there is still much important work to be done, work that demands the dedication and experience I am proud to offer. 

Local experience matters. Through my Village service, I have helped maintain a fiscally responsible government without compromising on the quality of Village services you have come to expect, including responsive Police, Fire, and DPW. Our prudent financial management has allowed us to provide top-tier services such as twice-weekly trash pickup, while keeping taxes low and maintaining robust reserves. 

If you’re like me, you care about your tax bill. I will continue to be fiscally responsible. In the past four years I have worked to: 

• Maintain 100% compliance with NYS Tax Cap (since program’s inception)
• Ensure debt free status with strong reserves per NYS recommendation
• Fund infrastructure without borrowing or bonding, ensuring all resources are spent on the actual project/service
• Continue to earn impressive Fiscal Stress Score from NYS Comptroller (especially as compared to similar situated municipalities)
• Secure every municipal dollar possible, ensuring Pelham Manor’s fiscal health and service quality remain strong

Here’s why fiscal prudence is crucial: Throughout the pandemic, Pelham Manor not only upheld, but enhanced its services. Unlike many municipalities across the state, we never once cut or reduced services. 

As your Trustee, I’ve worked to spearhead significant infrastructure improvements, boosting our capacity and enhancing the resiliency of our stormwater system. Importantly, Pelham Manor completed an industry leading village-wide drainage infrastructure assessment in June 2023. While working on long-term strategic initiatives, we also fast-tracked several interim mitigation projects in acute areas, including: 

• Peace & Townsend 
• Highbrook & Heywood 
• Iden/Carol/Wolfs Area 
• Monroe & Grant 
• Roosevelt, Bolton & Mt. Tom Area 

We also continue to work with our State and Federal partners on opportunities to secure funding outside of property tax revenue, such as grants and state aid. Pelham Manor performs an annual deep cleaning of each stormwater catch basin. We also clean and televise 20% of our sanitary sewer system on an annual basis (100% cleaning achieved in each 5 year cycle). 

Healthy reserves enable swift municipal action when critical issues arise. For example, following a resident’s outreach in 2023, I worked proactively with the Village Manager and outside engineers to address a pipe issue at Peace and Townsend. The Village promptly installed a larger catch basin and extended an underground pipe, ensuring a long-term solution, without delays or external financing. 

Finally, Village Services like Police, Fire, and Sanitation are important to our residents. I am committed to maintaining and improving the high level of services you expect for your tax dollars. With the Village Board I have: 

• Maintained twice-weekly garbage pickup while others reduced services
• Installed new crosswalk on Esplanade/Boston Post Rd with grant funding
• Worked to secure State Legislation for red-light camera at Boston Post Road/Pelhamdale
• Repaved Boston Post Road in 2023 with 100% state funding—through effective advocacy with the NYSDOT to make this a priority
• Extended crossing guard hours at Boston Post Road/Four Corners
• Installed new stop signs at Monroe/Clay/Hunter/Oak intersections
• Secured nearly $1 million in paving work in 2023 at no cost to the Village through smart and effective collaboration with utility companies—utilities are not obligated to re-pave, but we smartly incorporate the paving into the permit process

When you elected me as your Trustee in 2020, I promised to work hard to serve you and the Village of Pelham Manor. Since then, I have been honored to respond to your outreach and inquiries. I am here to serve and have earned a reputation for being accessible and responsive to concerns. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. My running mate, Trustee Breda Bennett, and I, will continue to leverage our experience to tackle important issues for all of us. Casting your vote for Breda and Maurice on March 19th guarantees experienced leadership for Pelham Manor, ensuring the continuation of effective partnerships with State and County leaders to maximize every possible municipal dollar from State Aid and grants for our community. Experience does matter, as your essential Village services rely on it. Let’s keep the focus local and continue working as one for a brighter, more sustainable future. I ask for your support and Vote on March 19th for Village Trustee. 

Thank you for your kind consideration. 

Yours In Service, 

Maurice Owen-Michaane 

Trustee & DPW Commissioner – Pelham Manor