In last week’s issue regarding the upcoming Great Neck Village mayoral race, an email is quoted: “The current mayor has proved himself to be untrustworthy and undemocratic”. Nothing could be further from the truth!
I did not personally know Dr. Bral before the contentious election two years ago. Having sat on the Great Neck Village Board of Trustees with all long-term incumbents, I seriously feared for the welfare of the village… After all, there were three very inexperienced members, including the Mayor, coming aboard.
I also personally feared that I would be isolated, and I reasonably expected to be marginalized. After all, nobody had opposed the incoming slate as vigorously as I had.
A few days after the election, I received a very unexpected phone call. Dr. Bral, whom I still did not know, requested that I swear him in to office. Wait… what? He could have asked almost any of the local “higher profile” politicians — Jack Martins, Michelle Schimel, Judy Bosworth… Where was the catch? There was none.
The incoming Mayor’s very first order of business was to offer an olive branch and turn to what he does best: Healing. It turns out that wasn’t just a gesture either.
Since his first day in office, the Mayor has run a wholly inclusive board. And while not all matters are appropriate to be deliberated in public (certain legal or personnel matters, for example).
The board has been conducted in a wholly transparent way.
Everyone’s opinion matters. Disagreements are discussed and hashed out in the most respectful way — with all participating. Our competent counsel is consulted before any major decisions are made.
Mayor Bral’s patience and willingness to listen extends beyond the board.
At each meeting he gives broad latitude to the public to express their opinions… allowing even his most vociferous detractors considerably more than their allotted 3 minutes.
What is “undemocratic” about that? Disagreement with a policy position does not make your adversary “untrustworthy.”
I’ve gotten to know the mayor quite well by now. I’ve watched him grow into his office.
Sure there may have been some hiccups along the way (none of us are professional politicians after all). It is not possible to please everyone — and it is certainly unwise to try to do so.
What’s more, I feel that he has done an exceptional job as mayor with many welcome improvements in the way the village is run.
Hardly a day goes by where a resident doesn’t tell me how nice our village has become. While there’s always room for improvement, it is really great to hear such positive feedback.
I can assure you, from personal knowledge gained through a critical eye, that Mayor Bral’s heart is with the entire village.
Bart Sobel
Great Neck Village Trustee
