Mayor Jon Mark Welcomes Home the SHS Class of 1965

This weekend, Scarsdale Mayor Jon Mark welcomed back 190 of his classmates from the SHS Class of 1965. Here is a letter he wrote to the class on the occasion of the reunion:

To the SHS Class of 1965: Welcome back. I am very much looking forward to seeing all of you this evening. My past 50 years have been filled with a variety of ups and downs probably not unlike what many of you have experienced. Of immediate note is the present "up" in which I find myself serving as Mayor of Scarsdale. To answer a question I am often asked, "no, this is not a position I ever aspired to or dreamed of holding." But here I am -- and I am glad to be serving the town I grew up in.

There is a room in Village Hall – the Trustees room – where the Board of Trustees, which I Chair as Mayor, meets twice a month. On the walls are photographic portraits of former Mayors. Among them are Jean Stone – the first woman Mayor and Greg Marx's aunt, George Szabad, Ellen Szabad's father, and Seymor (Chuck) Sims, Barbara Sims' father. There may be others who are relatives of some of our classmates but these are the names I recognize. I am humbled to be in such good company. (Mark later learned that Mayor Warren Cunningham was the great grandfather of his classmate Bob Shay and Mayor Malcom Pirnie was the grandfather of classmate Pam Pirnie.)

The Village has changed in a variety of ways since we grew up here. It is more built up, housing prices and real property taxes are high and the kids' sports leagues seem more competitive than recreational. However, in important ways the Village is the same as it was in 1965. Education and the schools remain the predominant reason families move here – and are most of the reason for the high real property taxes. The desire for beautiful park-like surroundings in which to raise a family is still an attraction to those who come here from, and commute to, New York City.

Serving as Mayor provides an opportunity to see first-hand the balancing act required to keep the Village running and delivering the municipal services residents expect. Due to the non-partisan nature of our government, the Board is in the fortunate position of being able to exercise its best judgment on the matters that come before it without being beholden to special interest groups or campaign contributors. It is a unique position in which to serve. I believe it serves the Village well as it frees decision-making on municipal issues (road repaving, sewer maintenance, staffing of police, fire and public works departments and land use issues) from political pressures. We are also fortunate to have a very able and devoted professional staff who assure the Village operates smoothly day in and day out.

When we graduated from the High School in 1965, I was not thinking of coming back. My wife, BK, and I returned in January 1992 and I am glad we did. I look forward to seeing all of you coming to reunion today and tomorrow and hearing your stories as well.

Sincerely,
Jon Mark, Mayor