44°
TUCKAHOE, N.Y. -- During his first year as mayor, Steve Ecklond dealt with two major storms, a stalled road project, the 100th anniversary of two village landmarks and a surprise visit from a Tuckahoe son who brought a gift.
The Daily Eastchester asked Ecklond five questions about his experience as mayor and what he expects in the coming year.
The Daily Eastchester: You served on the Tuckahoe Village Board for seven years before becoming mayor in April of 2010. Is it different being the Mayor?
SE: It is different. When you are mayor you have additional responsibilities. You are summoned a lot more by village staff and you play a more active role in the day to day running of the village. I am very lucky in that I am able to spend time in my office in Village Hall and can keep in touch with my business office via computer.
The Daily Eastchester: Is there anything in particular you would like to change in the village in the coming year?
SE: The thing I would like to change is some of the language in the zoning code. Myself and the board collectively would like to make sure the village is as business friendly as we can. Zoning is always complicated, but in short the changes we would like to make will make it easier for businesses to get started here in the village.
The Daily Eastchester: Looking back on your first year is there a project that you undertook that came to fruition?
SE: I am thrilled to say that a good portion of my first term was taken up by trying to get a tenant into Village Hall. The Andrus organization has renovations at Village Hall well under way and it is estimated that they are doing about $400,000 of renovations and repairs that were sorely, sorely needed. If we had not secured a tenant, we would have had to have done some of those renovations ourselves, so it is a savings to taxpayers. Having the Andrus organization here will also bring people into the village, who may stop at Carvel for an ice cream cone, or pick up some flowers at our florist or frequent one of our cafés or restaurants.
The Daily Eastchester: Of all of the things that is happened this year is there one thing that stands out?
SE: I think that one of the things I am most proud of is the response of our emergency services and our Department of Public Works during the October snow storm. That was the first time in my short time as mayor that I was really worried. In January, we are prepared for a snowstorm, but in October, we were not ready. I was so proud at our response to the storm. It made me feel good that we as a board are doing the right thing by our staff and our residents."
The Daily Eastchester: Tell us something that most folks in the village may not know about you?
SE: I ride a 2000 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic motorcycle.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bronxville and receive free news updates.
