Berard Decides Against Running for Fourth Term in P’ville
Three-term Village of Pleasantville Trustee Mindy Berard announced last week that she has decided against running for re-election next March and will retire from the board when her term expires.
Berard, who has served since being elected to the board for the first time in 2008, said it was the right time to make the break. During her nine years in office a number of matters having been resolved in the village, including a new facilities agreement with the school district, the establishment of strong fiscal policies, new bathrooms at the pool house and the start of the Master Plan update process.
She said it was a difficult call to make, but hopes that by having an open seat on the board it might attract new candidates to become involved in service to the village.
“It was a very hard decision, especially with all of the issues that are taking place,” she said last Thursday. “I’ve been pushing for five years to update the Master Plan, which is happening now. It’s time for me to step aside and see someone else step up.”
Berard, 57, who works as the confidential secretary for North Castle Supervisor Michael Schiliro, began volunteering locally about 20 years ago. She helped to launch Pleasantville’s original farmers market. Before landing on the board, she also found herself speaking out on topics of interest as they surface in the village.
With the next generation of families having moved into Pleasantville, Berard said she is optimistic that there is interest and enthusiasm to have new blood step up to serve.
Among the accomplishments during her nearly nine years in office, Berard cites the strong financial position that Pleasantville finds itself in as a critically important matter and being able to continue to bring services to the residents and maintain a strong quality of life.
“We do a great job with our budget and I’m very proud of keeping the taxes down and that’s fiscally responsible,” she said.
Berard said throughout her time on the board she and the board have worked well together and made sure to serve their constituents.
“I felt that I always did my best for the people of Pleasantville,” Berard said.
Trustee Steven Lord, who is completing his first term on the board, said he has not decided whether to pursue re-election for the other village board seat that is up for the March election. He expects to make up his mind shortly after the holidays are done.
Pleasantville is one of the few municipalities in the area whose elections are nonpartisan rather than using the Democratic and Republican parties to nominate candidates.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/