Rye People: City Council Candidate Peter Jovanovich

With the November 3rd elections just around the corner, it's time for MyRye.com to introduce you to the candidates looking for your vote. This is your city and your election, so tell us what you think of the candidates and of our coverage. Leave your comments below.

Today we begin to introduce you to candidates for city council, starting with Peter Jovanovich.

Your Name:Peter Jovanovich

Position You’d Like To Have: Running for City Councilman

Your Day Job:

President of the Alfred Harcourt Foundation, based here in Rye. We give college scholarships to students from very disadvantaged backgrounds attending The City University of New York and The College of New Jersey. As president, I provide one-on-one counseling to each of our over 100 current Harcourt scholars. The foundation’s endowment is approximately $11 million. I was formerly chairman of Pearson Education, the world’s largest educational publisher.

If MyRye.com asked your co-workers for one word to describe you, what one word would they use?

Decisive.

Candidate closing statement at The Osborn Debate (October 19, 2009):

Your Political Affiliation:

Republican. In my view, the greatest issue facing government in New York, at the state, county, and city levels, is the need for fiscal discipline.

Why are you running for elected office?

Rye’s city government is mired in small controversies while major issues – taxes, spending, road repair – remain unaddressed. A change in the leadership in the Council is needed, and it’s my hope to provide some of the necessary focus to help reform City government.

City elections are coming up this fall. What should we know about the elections this fall? Who else on the ticket are you supporting?

It’s great that the citizens of Rye are getting a real choice on Election Day: two full slates of candidates offering differing approaches to managing the City. I’m running with Doug French for mayor, and Suzanna Keith and Richard Filippi for City Council.

What are the three most important issues facing Rye over the next five years?

1. Taxes. The City is becoming unaffordable for many residents because of the rise in property taxes. In the last seven years, the City has increased taxes 50%. Last year’s 4.5% tax increase, during the worst recession in 75 years, was ill-considered.

2. Growth in spending. With a 78% increase in government spending over the last seven years, Rye’s surplus reserves will be exhausted by the end of this year. We need to introduce new budget discipline, new kinds of labor agreements that allow greater flexibility to control costs, and new priorities for capital spending. We should cancel plans for a new police station (estimated to cost over $20 million) and concentrate capital spending on roads and bridges, pedestrian safety, and flood mitigation.

3. City Council performance. Rye residents have watched the Council waste hundreds of hours on various subjects without reaching a resolution. We have seen the last two City Managers come and go, so that there is no continuity in managing city affairs. Residents want a Council that listens to the public, makes the necessary decision, and then moves on to the next priority. 

Rye sustained $80 million in damage in the April 15, 2007 flood.  Is Rye prepared for the next “100 Year” flood? What are the most important things we need to do to prepare, how much will they cost and how should Rye pay for them?

Rye is not prepared for the next 100-year flood.

1. Install a sluice gate at Bowman Avenue Dam; County funds.

2. Widen and deepen the ponds above the dam; combination of State, County and City funds. A bond issue may be required.

3. Protect upstream wetlands; action by County, State and neighboring communities needed.

Teachers in Rye public schools have been operating without a contract for over two years due to a stalemate between Rye’s Board of Education and the Rye Teacher’s Association. What specifically should be done to resolve this stalemate, if anything?

This is not a City Council responsibility. The newly elected Board of Education of the Rye City School District is handling this issue.

Grade Rye’s handling of the following issues over the last two years on an A, B, C, D or F scale.

Flooding and flood mitigation (Bowman Avenue dam, Elm Place Wall, Central Avenue Bridge, etc.) -  B 

The City staff has worked very hard to get results; unfortunately, the State and FEMA have been slow to give approvals. Going back decades, the City has failed to take necessary steps to mitigate flooding.

Fiscal responsibility including taxes, budgeting and labor relations (Overall budget, taxes, litigation) - D

The City has made little progress in getting its fiscal house in order. It waited too long to react to recession, and should not have raised taxes 4.5%. Labor costs (salaries up 6%, benefits over 10% last year), are rising faster than can be sustained.

Public works including condition of sidewalks and roads and snow, leaf, garbage and recycling removal - D/B+ 

Anyone driving, biking or walking around Rye can see our roads and sidewalks are in poor condition. Snow removal in downtown lots could be improved. On the other hand, the City does a good job on recycling.

Safety including policing, fire and traffic - A/C 

Our Fire Department does an excellent job, but the City has been slow to act on pedestrian safety. According to Mike Genito, former City Comptroller, it took a child being hit on Boston Post Road to put in a crosswalk.

Schools including quality and labor relations NA 

Public recreation including parks and recreational programs - A

Rye’s recreational opportunities are excellent.

Other Issue:

1037 Boston Post Road  A multi-million dollar mistake. The City bought the building in 2006 for $6.2 million as a site for a new police station. But, because of the floods of 2007, it’s unusable as a police station. The value of the building has fallen by at least 30% (according to local realtors’ estimates). With a $5 million balloon payment due next May, City should sell the building and get it back on the tax rolls.

What are your three greatest contributions to Rye?

1. Service as Treasurer of the Friends of Rye Nature Center. So many people in Rye contribute to sustaining this 47-acre jewel of untouched land in the center of Rye, even during these difficult times. As a member of the Board, I’m working on long-term plans that will keep the Nature Center and its programs thriving.

2. Service on Rye’s Board of Architectural Review. Along with my fellow board members, I have worked to prevent some of the more egregious examples of bad architecture from diminishing the charm of our neighborhoods and downtown.

3. Investigative reporting for The Rye Record on issues like the illegal dumping at Beaver Swamp Brook, which has caused greater flooding, excessive overtime expenses in City government, and the operating losses at Whitby Castle.

What are the three best reasons to live in Rye?

1.  The Schools.

2. The marvelous open spaces such as the Nature Center, Rye Town Park, the Marshlands, Edith Read Sanctuary.

3. The community spirit in Rye in which so many volunteer to make Rye a better place to live.

Where can we find you on a Saturday morning?

In good weather, playing tennis or riding my bike, and in bad, working out at the Y. And always, taking our dog for a walk.

What are your three favorite restaurants in Rye that deliver?

After 17 years in Rye, we prefer to drive to Sunrise Pizza for takeout. Favorite pizza: half-white/ half-tomato. Also, ice cream at either Piazza Pizzeria or Longford’s.

What is your favorite restaurant in Rye for a family meal?

Café Livorno, in great part because of the service and Daniel, the consummate waiter. Rigatoni al Sugo is the entrée we all enjoy. Café Livorno, 92 Purchase Street, 967-1909.

Where do you live in Rye?

We live at 647 Milton Road, across from the wonderful marina and right behind Milton School. In our 17 years here, we have also lived on the corner of Hillside Road and Grandview Avenue, and on Locust Avenue.

How else are you involved in the community?

Working with my wife Robin, who’s been the editor of The Rye Record since 2000, we have contributed to probably every Rye non-profit, either with money or time, including The Rye Historical Society, the Rye Youth Council, Rye High School (though the Rye House Tours), The Rye Free Reading Room (particularly the annual library book sale), the Carver Center, Friends of Rye Town Park, Helping Hands, Rye YMCA, The Rye Arts Center, as well as Friends of Rye Nature Center, Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary. We held the first fund-raiser for the Save the Bird Homestead.

For me personally, the most rewarding community activity has been writing profiles of people for the paper. It’s a delight to spread the word about individuals who lead life to the fullest and contribute so much to our community. And when a longtime member of the community dies, talking to family members about what made someone loveable and admirable, and publishing their recollections, is reward in itself.

Tell us your contact information:

Your web site: http://changeforrye.com
Your phone: 967-3456
Your email address: Pjovanovich@aol.com

Thanks, Peter!

Comments

[Quincy Dolan]

This isn’t just about Hen Island; it is about our harbors, our waters, and the environment.
Ray Tartaglione

You are targeting Hen Island and Hen Island only. If the above statement were true, you would be working to solve bigger problems, like the sewage outfall issue.

Instead, you are targeting Hen Island for any little thing that you can cause them a problem with.

In your world, it has nothing to do with "our harbors, our waters and the environment". It has everything to do with your personal vendetta against your neighbors and your desire to gain control of that real estate.

Answer my question. Are you a liar or did you illegally expand and/or modify your septic system?

[linus]

Oh Ray
you have violated the law or you lied about violating the law.
You have had ample time to answer a simple and direct question. NONE has been forthcoming.
What a puny pompous phony u are!!!

[Ray Tartaglione]

Chris Henn,
Discretionary enforcement is the statue that protects Mayor Otis and the city of Rye from being sued for not enforcing the law. In simpler terms if you know someone has committed murder and you have proof; if the district attorney does not charge that person with the crime, they are not held responsible to do so by law. The only recourse someone has is to expose the political figure that is not enforcing the laws so they are not re-elected.
That, Chris is what Mr. Floatie is all about. He is about exposing a Mayor that refuses to enforce the laws put in place to protect the people and the environment.
So you see Chris there is something 99% of you can do about our (not just mine) problem.
http://healtheharbor.com/codes/mousefable.html
This isn’t just about Hen Island; it is about our harbors, our waters, and the environment. It’s about protecting children, our neighbors, our guests and our community.
You state “you have never been on Hen Island in your life” I suggest you take me up on my offer, come with me view what is going on at the Island and then take a position. If you are embarrassed, you should point your feelings towards the direction of Mayor Otis. You see if I go away that would only allow you and the group that would like to allow these grave injustices to be hidden, to continue. You may not agree with me or the way I have brought this embarrassing situation to light but I bet you like swimming in sewage even less.

[Chris Henn]

I have never been on Hen Island in my life. I do take satisfaction that someone took an iron to a car that belongs to a man that has chosen to humiliate a population in which 99% of us can do absolutely nothing about his problem. What are we supposed to do? If Otis is reelected, can we assume it will go on? Will French do something about it?

Can anything be done?

[Quincy Dolan]

Ted, you truly have have missed the boat. But, you continue to defend Ray at every turn.

You know why he won't answer the question, don't you?

It is because if he answers my question truthfully, it proves that either he did something illegally or that he is a liar or his attorney is a liar. That is why he refuses to answer it.

[Average Citizen]

Ted, I like that you are concerned about the welfare of the sleeping children.

Oh...and a nice place to park the CrapMobile...in front of a residential building.

[linus]

TedC
I do agree that violence, personal or property is not only wrong but a crime (nothing less)

It is your weak argument that members of Hen Island are responsible.

You missed the boat here.

[tedc]

Umm linus?

I think a quick search of MyRye’s back files will indicate “The Easter Bunny” and “Chris Hen” rejoicing in their “tune up’s” of the Floatie mobile.

And a further study of the MyRye “Hen Island” story links will show them both intimately involved in ugly threats of violence and simultaneously aware of even the smallest detail of minutia concerning life on that unhappy island.

Thus it doesn’t stretch anyone’s credibility to look back at the record of what was threatened and then what was actually delivered – multiple times.

I’d say the CREDIBILITY of anyone taking an iron bar to smash windows or using a car to batter another vehicle in a residential district of central Rye is questionable at the very least. Don’t you agree?

[linus]

Tedc
Even when I don't agree with you I respect what you say.
Unfounded assumption that members of the Hen Island community would be responsible for the abuse of the poopmobile is unlike you.
Right now you are credible, however unfounded allegations against a community summer residents puzzles me.why would a rational man go out on a limb
to cloud his credibility?

[tedc]

Oh boy, Peter Jovanovich’s profile string has certainly devolved into a Hen Island slug fest.

Given so many of you islanders are watching closely, would anyone care to comment on the group among you who have now taken to committing felonies in the onshore Rye residential districts?

I recall “The Easter Bunny” and “Chris Hen” were historically enthusiastic on these pages about the mayhem they visited under the cover of darkness on The Floatie Mobile.

Now The Rye Record police blotter this week reports “multiple laughing occupants” in the car leaving the scene of the last criminal incident. This particular incident occurred next to Blind Brook Lodge – a multi unit residential complex where young children sleep.