To the Editor:

With the upcoming challenge and run-off election in the Estates, here is some background for your consideration.

The Nominating Committee for the Estates Property Owners Association had the pleasure of interviewing three candidates last year and three candidates again this year for Village Trustee. The Nominating Committee is there to discuss the role of a Trustee, the enormous time commitment needed, where the candidate stands on a multitude of issues, and the qualifications of each candidate that is seeking to volunteer for this critical position. As mentioned by the Eastern POA, the Estates Nominating Committee also has diverse, dedicated, and independent volunteers that spend their time to help make Garden City a better place to live. In my years on the Nominating Committee, we have recommended newly arrived residents over longstanding incumbents. We have seen candidates who’ve not received our recommendation for Trustee continue to participate in the POA. They have gone on to volunteer on various committees, become a Director, POA VP, POA President, and subsequently become a Trustee. One of last years candidates is now a member of this years Nominating Committee. The Estates Property Owners monthly meetings are open to the public. Our School Board President and Village Trustees as well the Recreation Commission representative and the Chairman of the Library are normally in attendance. We encourage participation by all residents.

Michele Harrington has chosen to challenge the Nominating Committee’s unanimously recommended candidate, Brian Daughney. I believe that our bylaws, has the purpose of challenging with at least fifteen signatures to show that any fifteen residents are exactly the same as the fifteen residents on the Nominating Committee. The process is being followed, one resident is not more important than another.

However, I am disappointed in the timing of Michele’s decision to run for Trustee. She states that she has considered running for Village Trustee for a long time. With Michele potentially considering a run for Trustee for a number of years, the Outside Business Interests and other clearances needed should have been performed in advance. Due to poor planning, the result is that her decision wasn’t done in a timeframe to meet, discuss with, and be considered by the Nominating Committee. If we had begun this conversation and discovery in early December, I believe each of us as residents would have benefited from a more comprehensive dialogue and discussion of who is the best candidate for Village Trustee. The inevitable sniping and misinformation that may occur could be countered with plenty of follow-up by each candidate for clarity of fact.

To re-emphasize, yes the process is being followed. Nothing is formally wrong with what is being done. The Estates POA is taking a neutral position. The Estates POA will spend time and money to fairly administer and hold a runoff election. I still believe the “spirit” of the process is not being followed and that we’d all agree that more time to evaluate our alternatives for such an important position of Village Trustee is better than less time.

I personally believe Brian Daughney is the best candidate for Village Trustee.

Brian has valuable and incremental experience volunteering in multiple roles within the Village. He has strong ties to the community and has volunteered as;

- Estates POA President

- member of the Village Finance Committee

- member of the Village Recreation & Cultural Affairs Committee

- a Liaison to the Zoning, Planning, and Architectural Design

Review Board

- on the Insurance Review Committee

- member of the Chamber of Commerce

Brian helped take the Citizen Budget Review Committee from an under utilized and not listened to body of work to a village wide team of volunteers whose contributions/recommendations are valued by the Village staff and is saving us money.

Brian resolved a multi-year stalemate among athletic organizations benefiting not only both organizations, the Village, but most importantly of all...the children of Garden City.

Brian Daughney is out there talking and listening to people. He has done much more than I’m mentioning here. I encourage everyone to get involved and to explore your options then vote.

I hope that you will support Brian Daughney with your vote on Tuesday.

Thank you for your consideration,

John Skramko

Estates POA Director

Chairman of the Estates

POA Nominating Committee