Darby and Stebbins elected to Tuxedo Park Board of Trustees

Tuxedo Park - Two signs greeted those entering the Village of Tuxedo Park this past Tuesday. The red and white sign is there every day and reads: “All Vehicles Must Stop At Gate.” The black and yellow sign is put out only on special occasions. It read: “Village Election, Tuesday, June 20th, Village Hall, 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m.” At stake was the election of two trustees to serve on the Village Board. The names of three residents were on the ballot, and voters could vote for two candidates - on the ballot or not. The Village of Tuxedo Park has a population of 731, and its residents cast a total of 614 votes. Lawrence Darby and Houston Stebbins were each elected to a two-year term of office with 248 and 240 votes, respectively. James Jospe, on the ballot with the two winners, received 104 votes; the other 22 votes were written in for Gregory Gross. Trustee-elect Darby, who had not previously run for public office, works as a corporation finance lawyer in New York City. “I’m very grateful to all the voters of Tuxedo Park,” said Darby on election night. He ran on a platform of improving infrastructure, protecting the environment and making an open, respectful and transparent village government. “The infrastructure needs constant attention,” he said. “I’m more concerned with maintenance than new construction.” Stebbins was reportedly out of town and could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, Jospe characterized the climax of his first run for public office as “a free and fair election.” “I had been working with the Village Board and took the next step,” he said. “I gave it my shot and appreciate the support that I got.” Jospe, who works as a bond trader, said he is “sure the two new trustees will do well.” James Hayes, a village resident and retired professor of earth science at Columbia University, was waiting with a half-dozen others as the votes were being counted. His wife, Nancy, is completing her second two-year term as a trustee and didn’t seek re-election. “I’m glad she served,” said Hayes. “I enjoyed pitching in to help her with some of her duties.” Hayes said he remains concerned “about further development - both near the village and in the village.” “It has been a long day,” said Village Clerk Deborah Matthews after the absentee-ballot votes were counted and added to the machine totals. Indeed - 22 percent of the total votes were cast by absentee voters on paper ballots. The two new trustees will take office on July 3, according to Deputy Village Clerk John Ledwith.