Briarcliff Trustee Candidates to Field Voter Questions Tonight

Robert Murray and Mark Pohar will introduce themselves to the Briarcliff Manor community and take residents' questions at a Meet the Candidates event tonight in the auditorium.

Pohar and Murray were nominated during the People's Caucus of Briarcliff Manor's to replace outgoing trustees Robert Mayer and Anthony Capasso, who will not be seeking re-election in March.

Mayer has served on the board of trustees for three two-year terms, while Capasso has served one term.

Last week Murray, who has been a member of the village's planning board since 2007 and a 30-plus year resident, said he got his start in local politics as chair of the Parking Lot Committee created to tackle Metro North's renovations at the Scarborough station in 2006.

It was through the committee, Murray said, that the idea for the was born.

"I was then asked to serve on the planning board," he shared. "I have enjoyed the camaraderie working with my fellow planning board members, listening to the community and coming up with what I hope are good solutions."

Murray, an attorney, heads up Baker Botts' Manhattan corporate department, he said.

He said he would serve the community as a trustee in the same way he works as a lawyer—"with candor, with transparency and with an understanding that there are various issues that have to be taken into account."

As a trustee, Murray said he has "no agenda," but wants to "continue the village's tradition of good government," pointing out he's proud of the village's high quality of life, but also aware of the high tax burden.

Pohar, a 16-year village resident, has experience working with the PTA as treasurer, serving as a religious education teacher at the , as a coach, treasurer of the People's Caucus and chair of the village's Ethics Committee.

A registered nurse, Pohar said, "I have a unique perspective to bring to the board and the residents of Briarcliff Manor."

Pohar currently works as the nursing home administrator of St. John's Riverside Hospital in Yonkers.

Like Murray, Pohar commended the board for its recent work and stated, "If elected, it will be my objective to be a part of the continuing momentum of the board and to continue to improve the services and reduce spending—all for the benefit of village residents."

According to Caucus Chair Keith Austin, tonight's 8 p.m. event will allow time for each candidate to make opening and closing statements. Both candidates will be given time to answer residents' questions.

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