Bellport’s new mayor, Maureen Veitch, was sworn in Monday fresh from her decisive victory, 646-211, over challenger Kieran Mahoney. She will take the reins from Mayor Raymond Fell and will be joined by two new trustees, Lorraine Kuehn and Michael Young.
A former trustee, the new mayor attributes her success to her years of involvement in the village and platform of making the government more transparent and enhancing communication with residents, starting with making the website easier to follow and posting meeting minutes. She will tackle infrastructure and traffic issues and take a slow, deliberate approach to renewing the catering lease at the Bellport County Club, a contentious issue when the former mayor was looking to extend it.
Running on the All Points Party line, Veitch promised to be a representative of all of the people of Bellport. “I felt that the community as a whole was behind me and that was very important. I specifically chose that name because I really wanted the entire community to know that I was there for them, not for just a segment; I was there for the whole community. So I feel like the election results supported that and now I have to deliver.”
Veitch said voters gravitated to her because of her experience. “I attended literally every board meeting, working session and almost all of the commission meetings,” noted the new mayor who said she stepped down from her trustee position to run for the village’s top spot. The new mayor has managed the human resources function of a 2,000-person group and touts a long record of executive experience. “Big processes and making things happen on a bigger scale are not foreign to me,”Veitch said.
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| Maureen Veitch File Photo |
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| Lorraine Kuehn File Photo |
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| Michael Young File Photo |
Finally, Veitch said she will also look out for village taxpayers. “We're a small community, a small tax base with tons of amenities and plans for improvements. We have to balance and be cautious about taxes, but also try to deliver what people want. So I'd say that'll keep me busy for the next two years.”
The new trustees, Kuehn and Michael ran unopposed and garnered 660 and 646 votes respectively. Running as the Common Ground candidate, Kuehn agreed with the new mayor’s push for improved communications and transparency with the residents. She is looking to broadcast meetings and likes the idea of electronic speed signs showing a motorist’s speed to encourage them to slow down, as well as crosswalks by the country club and the eastern part of the village. Young, successful under the Historic Bellport banner, said, “The challenge of our times is to accommodate new families who bring fresh thinking and energy while preserving the village’s essential character.”
Murphy, a Bellport Fire Department chief, did not respond to a call to discuss the race.