Today meet city council candidate Robin Thrush Jovanovich.
Fall is underway, and that means elections are around the corner. The election will be on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, with early voting from Saturday, October 25, 2025 through Sunday, November 2, 2025. Our local early voting center is Resurrection’s Early Childhood Education Center at 88 Milton Road. You can find your election day voting location online.
In the City of Rye, there are active races for mayor and for three city council seats. Mayor Josh Cohn is ending two terms as mayor. Keith Cunningham, Jamie Jensen and Josh Nathan remain on the council with terms expiring December 31, 2027 (Nathan is running for mayor).
Bill Henderson, Julie Souza and James Ward have council terms expiring this December 31st (Henderson is running for mayor and Ward is running for council reelection).
Running for Mayor:
Bill Henderson (GOP)
Josh Nathan (Dem)
Rick McCabe (Ind)
Running for City Council:
Marion Anderson (Dem)
James Fee (GOP)
Robin Jovanovich (GOP)
Amy Kesavan (Dem)
Maria Shuck (GOP)
James Ward (Dem)
Now here is our MyRye.com interview with city council candidate Robin Thrush Jovanovich.
Your Name: Robin Thrush Jovanovich
Running for: City Council
Why are you running for Rye City Council?
Jovanovich: Having attended or listened to more City Council meetings than most citizens, because of my 25 years at The Rye Record, I have witnessed both excellent and exasperating leadership, and everything in between. I am a challenger who wants to raise the bar back up.
Why are you running for Rye City Council now?
Jovanovich: Bill Henderson asked me, and I have great respect for him. After meeting the rest of the slate — Maria Shuck and James Fee — I was easily persuaded to join them.
What is your party affiliation?
Jovanovich: For most of my voting life I have been an independent (lower case “i”), with no party affiliation. In recent years, I have been a registered Democrat, in order to participate in Democratic primaries.
Please summarize your public service experience and contributions.
Jovanovich: While it is nice to get paid when you work hard, I have derived enormous pleasure, and learned a great many things, through volunteerism. Running The Rye Free Reading Room book sale for a dozen years, helping The Rye Arts Center expand its offerings to all, and making small steps to help 5 Steps to Five grow from infancy to permanency were “assignments” I treasured. (Just don’t ever ask me to emcee a fundraiser again.)
I was appointed to Rye’s Beautification Committee by a Democrat, appointed to the Board of Architectural Review by a Republican, and not reappointed by the next Republican mayor.
Describe your core base of electoral support.
Jovanovich: I think I have an edge with residents who want action on longstanding issues — and soon. People who know and respect me know that I will listen, do the homework, get back to them, and help push good plans forward.
Opportunities and Cost Containment
What are the three biggest opportunities/challenges facing the City of Rye over the next 3-5 years?
Jovanovich:
- We are a flood-prone community and we can’t mitigate the condition without a multi-pronged effort that includes: expansion of the Upper Pond in Purchase, a fully functional sluice gate at the Bowman Dam, and insistence on sustainable land-use practices.
- Overdevelopment and ill-advised development. In addition to being an eyesore, towering houses that all look alike built on small lots decrease the overall appeal and quality of our community. We need to make incremental changes in our building regulations to prevent Rye from becoming a pricier Levittown.
- Public safety. While the current City Council has made road repair a priority, our “safe routes” to schools, downtown, and the train station need an overhaul. We need sidewalks where there currently are none. We need the large boulders along heavily traveled residential streets removed to enable pedestrians and cyclists to be able to share the road safely.
What is new about these opportunities and challenges in the last 12 months?
Jovanovich: It is safe to say that the era of crazy driving is upon us. U-turns on Purchase Street, backing up the wrong way into a one-way entrance to a parking lot, hurried drivers passing drivers obeying the speed limit on Oakland Beach Avenue, Boston Post Road, Forest Avenue…, and even driving in the median on the Post Road… are some common examples. The Rye Police need to be a regular presence in downtown and write more tickets.
What are the three biggest areas for cost containment with the City of Rye over the next 3-5 years?
Jovanovich:
- We have a lean and excellent City staff and there are no positions to trim at City Hall, but we can keep costs down by limiting the number of outside consultants we engage.
- Refrain from initiating frivolous lawsuits.
- The wear and tear on our roads and bridges is exacerbated by constant development and construction. Are we asking the developers, the public and private schools to share the cost of the repair of our roads and bridges?
City Management
Describe how you see the role of Rye’s city manager and her or his relationship with the city council. Pick a. or b. and add any further explanation on the roles and responsibilities of the mayor, council members, city manager and how they interact.
Pick one:
- The city manager form of government: the council acts as a legislative body, responsible for setting policies, passing laws, and approving the budget. One member of the council often serves as mayor and the mayor’s role is usually ceremonial or limited in executive power. The city manager serves as the chief executive officer of the city.
- The mayor-council form of government: power is divided between an elected mayor and an elected city council. The mayor serves as the chief executive officer of the city.
Jovanovich: A! We have a city manager form of government. It works well, as long as the Council allows that individual to do the job. Regrettably, that hasn’t always been the case. In the last 20 years the Council has dismissed two city managers and treated two others shabbily.
The City of Rye has been without a permanent city manager since the end of March. Indicate yes or no on the following statements.
Jovanovich:
| Issue | Yes or No |
| The city is generally good at succession planning | No |
| The current city manager search has taken too long. | Not necessarily |
| A new permanent city manager should be in place by or before the fall election. | As soon as an excellent candidate is found. |
Comprehensive Planning and Land Use
The city is finally taking steps to update its comprehensive (fka master) plan that dates back to 1985 and is in the process of selecting an external consultant to help develop the plan. How would you explain what this process is and why it is important to a fifth grader? (Include the process, timeline, stakeholders and a few of the issues and policies that might be addressed in this work. Please answer with 2-6 sentences.)
Jovanovich: We have had decades to produce an updated city plan. In that time, we have lost open space and allowed overdevelopment, resulting in the diminution of the character of our community.
Revising our building regulations — including basements in floor-area calculations, for one — will make more of a difference to our future than a new master plan.
Before we spend a considerable amount of money on a plan, we should ask residents, including fifth graders, as well as businesses and nonprofits, for their input on the measures that will help keep Rye a vibrant and forward-thinking town.
Land use and the control of development has been raised as an issue in Rye, fueled by a variety of concerns including flood control, rock chipping and the development of flag lots. Should more be done to bring transparency and control to land use decisions in Rye? If so, what are three of the top recommendations you would make?
Jovanovich: Better communication is a good first step.
- The City should use every resource to inform the public.
- Hold community workshops.
- The Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Board of Architectural Review are tasked with reviewing building plans. Appointing new members, with a variety of perspectives, is essential.
What benchmarks and data could the City publish on a routine, ongoing basis that could help residents understand the state of land use in the City?
Jovanovich: The City could publish an annual list that includes the number of teardowns, new construction, variances granted.
Larger Development Plans
What are your current views on the development plan for the former United Hospital site just over the Rye City line in Port Chester? And what should the City be doing to represent its interests?
Jovanovich: Now that the large site has been completely cleared and readied for development, City officials need to redouble efforts to minimize the impact and regularly share their progress, or lack thereof, with Rye residents. Suing Port Chester is not likely to improve our chances of achieving our goal. Rye residents and officials need to voice their concerns.
What are your current views on the development plan for The Rye Arts Center on Milton Road? And what should the City be doing to represent its interests?
Jovanovich: I am a longtime supporter of The Rye Arts Center and they have made a good case for their expansion. However, I am not sure that the style of the new building or its connection to the old building or the location of additional parking has won the community over. The RAC has reached out to residents and officials, encouraging them to visit the property and learn more. I have less concern about the City representing its interests than I do the Center having more gallery and performance space.
What are your current views on the plan to redevelop The Osborn retirement community on the Boston Post Road? And what should the City be doing to represent its interests?
Jovanovich: In order to remain a first-rate retirement community, The Osborn needs modernization. It has nearby competitors and can’t rest on its beautiful arboretum to attract new residents. The immediate neighbors expressed their concerns about the project and The Osborn made changes to the plan to lessen their concerns.
What are your current views on the plan to develop the Thruway property along the Boston Post Road purchased by Rye Country Day School? And what should the City be doing to represent its interests?
Jovanovich: The community is fortunate that Rye Country Day School purchased the old Thruway property across from its Boston Post Road campus, where it plans to create playing fields and promised to ensure the fields would be available to Rye Youth Sports programs for an agreed-upon percentage of the time. Recently, however, upon learning that Rye Country Day plans to build a sizable field house and move the hockey rink there, City officials now worry that the allotment of time for Rye Youth Sports will be significantly reduced. The City will need to press for further assurance from the school.
In addition to the current Nursery Field turf project, should Rye have more turf athletic fields, yes or no?
Jovanovich: Having devoted a considerable amount of time researching the pros and cons of artificial turf fields and learning why many communities across the country are banning the creation of more, I was not in favor of the Nursery Field project. I felt that the City Council made up its mind in favor of the plan before hearing all the facts. I was also disappointed to hear so many parents proclaim during Council meetings that our children were in danger of psychological breakdown if the Nursery Field project didn’t go forward. There will be rainy days but there will never be a shortage of rainy-day activities to enjoy.
The need for more field space is well-known. The question is where to create more. If by redesigning Disbrow Park or Rye Recreation we can carve out more space, we should act with alacrity.
Flooding
What are the three flood mitigation measures the City should undertake with the greatest cost/benefit?
Jovanovich:
- Increasing the retention size of the Upper and Lower Ponds.
- Updating drainage infrastructure.
- Adding whatever natural or manmade barriers possible.
What are some of the ways the City can realistically expect to pay for some of the more expensive flood mitigation projects (including infrastructure)?
Jovanovich:
- Federal assistance grant funding.
- State funding.
- Through the City’s Capital Improvement Program.
What are a few of the most effective but least expensive measures the City can take in regards to flood mitigation?
Jovanovich:
- Ensuring the sluice gate is in good working order.
- Regular removal of large trash and debris from Blind Brook.
- Working with Harrison to maintain Beaver Swamp Brook.
Deer Management
The City is assembling its first deer management committee, realizing that the massive overpopulation of deer has decimated our parks, our native plants and gardens and has been one of the factors contributing to the spread of invasive species.
Yes or no:
Jovanovich:
| Issue | Yes or no |
| We have a serious deer overpopulation problem | Yes |
| I support a scientifically informed deer management process, including an ongoing culling program if recommended by experts | Yes. |
| If indicated, I would support a culling program utilizing trained and licensed sharp shooters if recommended by experts | No, if that means the use of rifles. |
City code allows for a maximum fence height of six (6) feet on most private property – this is ineffective at deterring deer.
Proper deer fencing in a high deer pressure area should be eight feet (8) feet or higher. Would you support a change in City code that raises the max fence height to eight (8) feet or higher where six feet is currently indicated so residents can protect their private property from deer browse?
Yes or no?
Jovanovich: No. A six-foot fence is highly effective. We need to address the larger issue of the overpopulation of deer, many of which are starving.
Lightning Round
Please answer the following questions Yes or No:
Jovanovich:
| Issue | Yes or No | One sentence explanation. |
| Rye is prepared for the next “100 year” flood. | No | We are no match for Mother Nature. |
| Rye should update its Comprehensive / Master Plan. | No | Not a necessity. |
| Rye should have additional restrictions on residential development. | Yes | Open space, privacy, and shade are at stake. |
| Rye should have additional restrictions on commercial development. | Yes | Allowing more mixed-use buildings without underground parking strains credulity. |
| Rye should take steps to preserve the character of its downtown / central business district. | Yes | Start with a moratorium on nail salons. Do something about cleaning up the vacant lot on Purchase Street. |
| The City does a good job supporting its local merchants. | N/A | We certainly didn’t during Covid. |
| Rye should be more pedestrian and bike friendly. | Yes | Our bike lanes are too narrow and we need more traffic enforcement. The Purdy/Purchase intersection needs a safer crosswalk. |
| I voted for (or would have voted for) the City’s tree law. | Yes | I would increase fines for illegal tree removal. |
| Rye should either find a way to enforce the leaf blower law or eliminate it. | N/A | We need to find a way without having to rely on the police who have traffic safety violations to attend to. |
| Rye should aim to completely ban gas leaf blowers within 2-3 years. | Yes | The Conservation Commission will be of great assistance in effecting the change. |
| Landscapers should be registered with Rye so practices such as leaf blowers can be more closely controlled. | No | They need to be informed, not monitored. |
| I voted for (or would have voted for) in favor of the artificial turf installation at Nursery Field. | No | But the community is happy. |
| Sustainable Westchester’s Westchester Power program should be the default electricity provider for residents. | No | It’s more expensive and residents should be able to choose their provider. |
| Rye Playland will be in good hands with Westchester County. | No | You can’t be serious. We need a public/private partnership. Start over. |
| The Pride flag should be raised each year on City flagpoles. | Yes | The City discussed whether to allow the flag to be raised at length because it would set a precedent that would make it difficult to reject requests from other organizations. But the cause was too important to deny. |
| The current road conditions in Rye are acceptable. | No | Potholes everywhere. Broken sidewalks. |
| Rye needs to reduce its deer population by active management that might include sharp shooters. | Yes | For many years residents have discreetly hired hunters who dispatch deer with bow and arrow and bring the meat to local food pantries. |
| Rye should have its own designated, year-round off-leash dog park (similar to what Port Chester has). | No | Dog parks are rarely sanitary. Dogs have the run of Rye Town Park every morning and the beach off-season. |
Tell us about you:
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Jovanovich: Roadrunner.
What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?
Jovanovich: The day after the sudden death of my husband, my dearest friend and her husband, who was my husband’s closest friend, showed up and found ways to help. It was his affectionate assurance that got me through many dark days: “Where there were four there will now be three.”
What is your day job?
Jovanovich: For the last eight years I have been president of a small college scholarship foundation that supports close to 90 students annually. I work closely with our four metropolitan area partner institutions and the students.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why, and who would you take with you?
Jovanovich: Italy, any part of it, because the country is a work of art. Right after Election Day I am traveling with friends to Athens and then Milan.
What is your current favorite streaming / TV series?
Jovanovich: Department Q.
What is your favorite movie?
Jovanovich: That’s a tough question because I am a lifelong movie lover. It’s a toss-up between William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) and Orson Welles’ The Magnificent Ambersons (1942).
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Jovanovich: I live on a lovely tree-lined street in Greenhaven, which is rich in architectural diversity and residents from all over the world. We moved to Rye in 1992 and it is a hard place to leave (we had a brief foray in Greenwich so I speak from experience).
My granddaughter recently asked me how many homes I had lived in in Rye. Four with her grandfather. I wish he were here to see what I’ve done with the fifth.
What affiliations do you have with organizations in Rye?
Jovanovich: I am a supporter of many of Rye’s venerable nonprofits but have not been on the board of any of them for a time. The reason is simple: Caring for my husband and running the local newspaper was all-consuming.
In short order, I was formerly a deacon of Rye Presbyterian Church, vice-president of the board of The Rye Free Reading Room, a board member of The Rye Arts Center, and “media liaison” for 5 Steps to Five. Last year Pam McGuire asked me to serve on the committee planning the Revolutionary Rye 250 celebration.
What are three of your favorite food takeout / delivery restaurants in or around Rye?
Jovanovich:
- 25 North – one order of penne a la vodka will feed at least two.
- Fogama for its sushi.
- Aurora — Chicken Milanese.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Jovanovich: In addition to tennis and off-Broadway theater with longtime friends, walks in Rye Town Park with my aged dog and a friend and her young pup, walking Manhattan by myself and picking a museum to visit that day, I like reading, playing with words, taking photographs, and imagining what else I can do to improve my domestic landscape. I move furniture with abandon.
Thanks, Robin!
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