Accolades for Scarsdale Village Trustee David Lee

Trustee David Lee marked four years as Village Trustee at his final meeting on March 22. Following an early dinner to celebrate their service, the trustees convened at Village Hall and gave Trustee Lee his due. Many remarked on Lee's keen insight, patience and ability to see all sides of an issue as well as his quiet way of examining questions and bringing the Board to consensus.

Here are excerpts from the trustees' and publics' comments:

Matt Callaghan said, "David Lee has a gift of getting to the point of the matter, both orally and in writing and in bringing the group to consensus. I thank you for that."

Carl Finger thanked Lee for taking "an interest in facilitating my participation on the board." He continued saying, "He showed me the ropes and helped me to hit the ground running. I found your comments to be mind altering in a good way and to see things from a perspective I had not thought of ... and to regret speaking before you."

Deb Pekarek said, "With a twinkle in his eye, an ability to see all sides of an issue, he weighs each idea to discern the most compelling resolution. He listens attentively. He asks questions that get to the heart of a matter and provides unique depth to our conversations. He respectively incorporates opposite views. David is a great neighbor too; biking to the train station and attending multiple meetings in one evening." She concluded, "It was an honor to work with you. You are a patient and gentle man."

Marc Samwick credited Lee with an "Open and inquisitive mind." He said Lee is "Deliberative and unbiased with every issue and listens intently. He thinks in a deeply contemplative way that yields a balanced and fair approach. I learned a lot from you."

Bill Stern said, "Board resolutions are not decided overnight. They require great insight into unintended consequences. David has a sharp mind. He looks at all the issues. Sometimes he changes my view. He has a tremendous legal mind. He is very insightful and looks at the residents' interests. He will be sorely missed."

Mayor Jon Mark: "David – It has been a pleasure serving with you, a fellow Scarsdale High School graduate, on this Board. After a somewhat rocky take off that involved your surviving one of your first Board assignments, the reading of a resolution to euthanize geese that were visiting the Library Pond – a solution the board was persuaded not to pursue – your career as Trustee took flight.

Your work on land use issues, your liaison work with various Boards and Councils and your vetting of my Mayor's comments all evidenced your commitment to the Village, your analytic skills and sense of balance and fairness.
Throughout your term you maintained an unflappable nature, heard residents out and approached the Staff and your colleagues on the Board with thoughtfulness and consideration.

I thank you for your diligent contribution to the Board and the Village over the past four years. It is my hope that you will continue to find time in the future to volunteer your valuable skills to the town in which we grew up.

Former Trustee Kay Eisenman said: "My first order of business is to tear up a speech I had written for Deb Pekarek. David Lee is an excellent and dedicated individual. with a quiet calm demeanor. He grasps athe issues and teases apart the salient points of any problem. He quickly get to the core of any issue." She continued, "You are fair and balanced, with great skills. You recognize there is not an immediate solution to every problem. You have the patience to seek high ground and therefore lasting results. Thank you David. You are one of those dedicated people who believe in all work and no pay."

Former Mayor Bob Steves also lauded David Lee, calling him a "Thoughtful individual who has added much to this village. David is an example of the quality of individuals this village has been able to attract to manage it. If people had more insight into the quality of the people who serve, there would not be cynicism and negativity around government. I urge the community to better understand the people who serve here. When we have the opportunity to work with people like David we should appreciate it."

Scarsdale10583 also thanks Trustee Lee who is always open to questions and is responsive with requests for information. He helped the board navigate controversial issues such as the tax revaluations, the Monte Nido proposal and the proposed resolution on gravel surfaces, always with a calm, measured and reasonable approach. We hope he continues to be involved in Village Government.

For his part, Trustee Lee had kind words about the contributions of each member of the Village Board which you can view on the Village Website.