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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 03 March 2025

Created: 03 March 2025

Last Updated: 03 March 2025

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Scarsdale will elect three Village Trustees and a Mayor on Tuesday March 18, 2025. The election will take place at Scarsdale Public Library from 6 am to 9 pm. The community is invited to a “Meet and Greet” with all of the candidates nominated by the Citizens Nominating Committee on Sunday, March 16th from 2pm to 4pm at Scarsdale Public Library.

Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, who will complete her first term of service, has been selected by the CNC to run for a second term.

As a part of our series of candidate interviews, here is an interview with Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg:

Tell us about your volunteer experience, in addition to your first two years as Village Trustee.

I have been deeply engaged in the Scarsdale community since moving here in 2011, dedicating my efforts to civic engagement, public service, and nonprofit leadership. Currently, I serve as Deputy Mayor and Trustee for Scarsdale Village, working closely with fellow trustees, community organizations, Village staff, and residents to improve government efficiency, enhance communication, and help residents navigate local government to address their concerns. I previously chaired the Advisory Council on Communications (ACC) for many years, leading initiatives to make our government more accessible, transparent, and engaging for residents. I also spearheaded the Village’s rebranding project, leveraging the exceptional talent within the ACC to create a fresh, modern, and cohesive identity—all at no cost. Additionally, I served on the Board of Ethics and was a member of the Village’s Downtown Reopening Task Force, helping revitalize Scarsdale’s commercial district in the wake of the pandemic.

My involvement with Scarsdale Public Library has been one of my most meaningful contributions. As President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library and co-chair of the capital campaign, I helped lead a multi-year effort to renovate and expand our beloved library. Through collaboration with community members, donors, and public officials, we secured essential funding to transform the library into a vibrant, modern hub for learning and connection. I’m incredibly proud that on some days, the library welcomes over 1,000 visitors, reflecting its vital role in our community.

Beyond government and library initiatives within Scarsdale, I’ve been engaged with the Scarsdale Forum, where I served as a board member and chaired the Program and Membership Committees, fostering civic dialogue and community involvement. I’ve also worked with the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale, serving on the board and leading the Village Budget Portfolio, ensuring that residents have access to clear, accurate information about local finances. Additionally, I’ve been active in the Citizens Nominating Committee and co-chaired campaigns for the Scarsdale Citizens Non-Partisan Party, helping uphold the integrity of our village’s non-partisan election system.

Outside of Scarsdale, I have been deeply involved in broader Westchester County initiatives, particularly in healthcare. At White Plains Hospital, I serve as Vice Chair of the Foundation Board and co-chair of the hospital’s $150 million capital campaign, helping to expand and modernize healthcare services for our region. Access to exceptional healthcare close to home is essential, and I am committed to supporting initiatives that enhance medical care for our community. Previously, I co-led a $10 million COVID relief fundraising effort to support frontline workers and critical patient care during the pandemic.

As a board member at Feeding Westchester, I am deeply committed to combating food insecurity, which affects 1 in 3 residents in our county — a staggering statistic! I support the organization’s mission by helping to expand access to nutritious meals through fundraising, advocacy, and community outreach. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of an effort that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives every day.

I have also been deeply engaged with Westchester Reform Temple, where I served as Vice President and a member of the Board of Trustees for almost a decade. I’ve worked on various committees and initiatives aimed at strengthening the temple’s community engagement, supporting educational programs, and fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for congregants of all ages.

My work in Scarsdale and beyond has always been driven by a passion for community building, civic engagement, and public service. Whether it’s working to improve communication between the village and its residents, advocating for institutions like the library, White Plains Hospital or Feeding Westchester, or fostering civic participation, I’m committed to strengthening our community and ensuring it remains a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone.

Did you find anything surprising or unexpected about serving in your first term?

I expected the work to be both challenging and rewarding, but I was pleasantly surprised by how collaborative it is. The level of engagement from residents, the dedication of my fellow trustees, and the professionalism of our Village staff have exceeded my expectations. Local government moves at a pace that balances urgency with careful deliberation, which took some adjustment. However, this experience has reinforced the importance of listening, building consensus, and approaching every issue with an open mind. I’ve found my perspectives evolving on a range of issues through conversations with trustees, Village staff, and community members. Keeping an open mind—and having patience—is essential, especially since much relating to municipal government rarely moves quickly.

What changes did you help to initiate in your first term as Village Trustee?

In my first term as Village Trustee, I have focused on collaboration, problem-solving, and ensuring that Scarsdale’s government is responsive, transparent, and efficient. One of the most impactful changes we initiated as a board was the hiring of our new Village Manager, Alexandra Marshall, the first woman to serve in this role. This was a fully collaborative process, with the entire board working together to conduct a thorough and inclusive search to find the best candidate. Since her appointment, we’ve ushered in a culture shift—moving to a mindset of “how can we get to yes”—which has strengthened communication, accountability, and decision-making within Village Hall.

Enhancing communication with residents has been a key focus of my work as a member of the board. I spearheaded the relaunch of Scarsdale Official, the Village’s weekly newsletter, collaborating with the ACC and staff to ensure residents stay informed about local government matters. I also actively post updates on social media to reach residents where they consume information, making government news more accessible and engaging. In addition, I worked closely with staff and members of the board to improve emergency communication procedures and upgrade software to ensure messaging is more timely, accurate, and effective. Communication is always evolving, and there’s always room for improvement. That’s why I truly value resident feedback—every suggestion helps us refine how we share information and ensures the community stays informed in the most efficient way possible. (If you are not already subscribed for village notifications, please sign up today!

On the services for our residents front, our board and staff worked together to implement weekly recycling pickup—a long-discussed initiative that we brought to fruition in just a few months. We have also advanced several major capital projects as a team, including the sidewalk installation on Olmsted Road, significant playground and field renovations, and improvements to our stormwater infrastructure. In addition, we’ve made meaningful progress on the pool project, moving it from programmatic design to schematic design with significant public engagement. Throughout this process, we have prioritized transparency and preserved optionality for a 12-month-a-year indoor pool facility to best serve our community’s needs. Additionally, collaborating closely with the Scarsdale Business Alliance (SBA), we launched Destination Scarsdale, an initiative designed to promote our downtown and the Farmer’s Market, bolster community engagement, and encourage residents to shop and dine locally.

Beyond policy changes, I see my role as a trustee as being a hands-on problem solver. When we learned that Meals on Wheels of Scarsdale was set to shut down, I stepped in to help stabilize the organization and secure its future. I worked with the office manager and Meals on Wheels president to recruit and build a new board, bringing together a committed group of a broad spectrum of community members to revitalize the leadership and create a more sustainable operational structure. I also assisted in securing funding and connecting the organization with resources to strengthen its long-term viability. Thanks to these efforts, Meals on Wheels of Scarsdale now has a robust board in place and is on a path toward long-term success.

Every one of these accomplishments has been a team effort. None of this work happens in a vacuum—it requires collaboration with my fellow trustees, our dedicated Village staff, and engaged resident volunteers. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and look forward to continuing to build on this momentum in my second term.

Why have you decided to continue to serve? What do you look forward to?

Scarsdale is an extraordinary community, and I feel privileged to contribute to its future. My decision to continue serving stems from a deep belief in responsible leadership, long-term planning, and open community dialogue. In this next term, I look forward to advancing infrastructure improvements, moving the pool project forward, addressing environmental challenges, and enhancing Village services—all while maintaining fiscal responsibility and strengthening communication with our residents.

I take great pride in my work with the Scarsdale Business Alliance, collaborating with local businesses to ensure our village center remains vibrant and thriving. A strong business district is the heart of a connected community, fostering local engagement, economic growth, and a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Supporting our small businesses not only preserves the character of Scarsdale but also reinforces the sense of community that makes our village so special. I am excited to continue these efforts and help shape a bright future for our local economy. We are fortunate to have such an active and enthusiastic partner in the SBA. We could not do this work without them.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is serving as the liaison to the Scouts. Attending their events and seeing their incredible work firsthand is truly inspiring. As a former teacher, I find it energizing to engage with our younger residents, hear their perspectives, and learn about their interests. These organizations instill values of civic duty, responsibility, resourcefulness, and resilience—qualities that embody the spirit of our community. The Scouts cultivate a spirit of camaraderie, selflessness and wholesomeness—something the world could certainly use more of today—and I’m grateful for the chance to support their meaningful work.

The Village faces financial challenges to maintain services and infrastructure while keeping reasonable tax increases. As a trustee, what is your view on this balance?

It’s a careful balancing act. Our responsibility is to maintain and enhance essential services while being mindful of the financial burden on residents. That requires strategic long-term planning, responsible budgeting, and a willingness to explore creative solutions. We’ve worked to find efficiencies, seek grants, and prioritize investments that yield long-term benefits. As always, I believe in transparency and engaging the community in financial discussions, ensuring that we make decisions that reflect both our needs and our values.

The Village Board will make a major decision this year on plans for the Scarsdale Pool. Tell us what you would like to see.

The Scarsdale Pool is a cherished community asset, and this project is a rare opportunity to reimagine its future. We need to think beyond simply rebuilding what we know and instead create a vision for the next 50 years—one that prioritizes accessibility, modernization, and long-term financial sustainability. Having helped lead the transformation of the Scarsdale Public Library, I’ve seen firsthand how forward-thinking investment can elevate a community resource and serve generations to come.

Quite frankly, I find it hard to justify spending $30+ million on a facility that sits idle for nine months a year when, with a greater investment, we could create something that benefits residents year-round. At the same time, fiscal responsibility is paramount—we have residents on fixed incomes who rely on us to be thoughtful stewards of taxpayer dollars. The challenge is striking the right balance between visionary investment and financial prudence.

Finding that balance requires a thoughtful, transparent process—one that welcomes creative solutions and diverse perspectives. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I know that if we, as a Board, continue to engage the community, work with excellent professionals, explore all available options, and look beyond the status quo, the best decision for Scarsdale’s future will emerge from the process -- and can be made.

Generations of Scarsdalians before us invested in this community, making it the vibrant and beautiful place we call home today. Now, it’s our turn to ensure the pool, like our other amenities, remains a valuable and inviting resource for the future. Thoughtful planning, robust community engagement, and financial feasibility will be key in shaping the best possible outcome.

With a family and many other responsibilities, how did you find the time commitment for the position?

Like many working parents and volunteers, I’ve learned that balance comes from organization, clear priorities, a strong support system, and also an ability to pivot quickly when things come up (as they often do!) Serving on the village board is a significant commitment, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling. When you’re passionate about something, you find the time to make it work. My family deeply values civic engagement, and their support has been invaluable.

Being present in my children’s lives is my top priority. Every weekend, my husband, Jon, and I sit down with our calendars to map out the week (and sometimes two weeks) ahead, making sure Cornelia and Jake always come first while balancing our professional and volunteer commitments. It’s a constant juggling act, but with careful planning and a supportive partner, I’m able to make it all work—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m deeply grateful for a community that embraces this work and a family that understands how much it means to me to be able to serve.

Remember to vote on Tuesday March 18, 2025 from 6 am to 9 pm at Scarsdale Public Library.