Tuxedo Park elects new mayor

By Nathan Mayberg
TUXEDO PARK — Mary Jo Guinchard, a former village of Tuxedo Park trustee, was elected mayor on Tuesday.

Guinchard, who vacated her seat on the village board to run for mayor, defeated the incumbent Liane Neuhauser by a vote of 219-134, according to the Tuxedo Park website.

Also swept into office on Tuesday was trustee Alan McHugh, who commanded the most votes on the board with 277.

It was a close battle for the second vacant seat on the board, with Claudio Guazonni receiving 184 votes compared to 180 for Philip Tavani, after the unofficial counting.

Judge David Levinson was unopposed for his seat.

Guinchard is a former stage actress and singer.

Before the election, Guinchard said her priorities would be preserving and protecting the village's drinking water, landscapes and lakes.

She also said she would lower the village's legal costs, which were budgeted for $100,000 for the upcoming year, by in part not having a lawyer present at every board meeting. She said she intends to minimize litigation.

In a phone interviews, Guinchard said she would also increase communication through a newsletter and will establish a committee for financial review.

Guinchard won the race while running on the Apple Party line, according to the Tuxedo Park website. Neuhauser ran on the New Leaf Party line.