Running unopposed and heading for his eighth term, Village of Thomaston Mayor Robert Stern said a tax increase is not likely for residents in the near future and a tax cut is even a possibility before his time in office comes to an end.
“I think they won’t see a tax increase for the next five years,” said Stern. “With any luck, I don’t think they will ever see a tax increase again unless it costs a lot by normal inflation.”
In the near future, the longtime Thomaston mayor said he hopes to eliminate $1.3 million in village debt and $150,000 in annual interest payments – regardless of how bad the economy outside the village might become.
“In two years we will wipe it out,” said Stern. “That’s going to happen.”
Currently serving as Great Neck’s second-oldest mayor to Saddle Rock’s Mayor J. Leonard Samansky, Stern, 85, said his time in office has been a learning process that has provided him with an opportunity to make a difference in the community he has called home since serving overseas in the U.S. Army during World War II.
After retiring as a retail businessman, Stern worked part-time as a teacher with Great Neck schools before turning his full attention to public service.
“I decided I was going to succeed at this job and that required all of my effort,” said Stern, who has been happy to serve. “I haven’t got the ability to change the world or Nassau County, but in Thomaston I’m lucky, I get my dreams fulfilled here.”
Stern said he decided to run for mayor in 1996 at the request of a relative with a small child who was concerned that a proposed village ordinance might eliminate some sidewalks from Thomaston streets.
In recent months, Stern has battled the Long Island Railroad against proposed construction of a pocket track extension which would run through a part of the village. The mayor said in the coming months he will continue to stand with residents concerned about the affects of the track on the community.
“We’re going it fight it as hard as we can,” said Stern. “It ought to be built in a sensible way.”
Later this year Stern plan’s to expand the village road crew by adding one full-time and one part-time employee. With the extra help, Stern said a village beautification project will be completed in the spring.
The recruitment of new businesses to the village is also a top priority of the Stern’s. “I’ll help them every way I can help them.”
Now 15 years since first assuming office in Thomaston, the once-targeted sidewalks remain and Stern said he has become wiser.
“It has taken me many, many years to find out what the village needs and where the money needs to be spent,” said Stern, who got involved because he thought he could outperform his predecessor.
“It’s not real exciting stuff that we do. However, we serve a purpose and I thought I could do better and that’s why I did it.”
Polls will be open March 15 from noon to 9 p.m. in Thomaston.
Also running unopposed in Thomaston are current village board trustees Gary Noren and Steven Weinberg.
