GOP Will Run Fahey for Mecca Council Seat
The Rye GOP will run Matt Fahey for Rye City Council to fulfill the remaining one year of Councilman Richard Mecca. Fahey will face Lori Fontanes, who the Dems put forward as their candidate in February.
Mecca passed away only last week, and had resigned on January 5th due to health reasons. Mayor Josh Cohn advanced Emily Hurd to serve in Mecca’s seat until the fall election and the council voted its full support.
Fahey is a former Rye City Council member having served from 2004 to 2007. Read this 2007 MyRye.com interview with Fahey.
Here is the announcement from the Rye GOP:
The Rye City Republican Committee is pleased to announce that they have nominated Matt Fahey as their candidate to fulfill the un-expired term of former Rye City Councilmember Richard Mecca.
In making the announcement the Rye City Republican Committee Chair Elaine DiCostanzo commented “We are proud to announce our support for the election of Matt Fahey, a small business owner and former Rye City Councilperson, with a deep history of involvement in Rye community affairs. Matt is an experienced businessman with a history of collaborative and effective governance on the City Council. He is respected and experienced and will bring the kind of strong leadership to the City Council that will be needed to face the challenges of the coming years.”
Mr. Fahey and his wife of 27 years Missie have made a home in Rye for over 20 years with their three sons – Quinn (23), Peter (22) and Harry (15), all former students of the Rye City School District. Matt previously held a number of senior positions over a 30-year career in financial services. Currently he is President and owner of Brine Healy, Inc. – a home and business security consulting firm based in Westchester County. He is a graduate of Lafayette College and the University of Chicago where he earned a Masters of Finance. Matt is a former Rye City Council member having served from 2004 to 2007. He is also a previous member of the City’s Finance Committee and served on the City’s Board of Assessment Review.
In accepting the nomination Matt Fahey shared “I am very pleased and proud to accept the Rye City Republican Committee’s nomination for City Council. I feel particularly honored to have the opportunity to complete the unfinished term of former City Councilmember Richard Mecca. Rich set the standard for community service and his passing has left us all diminished. While it would be impossible to fill his shoes, if elected I will strive to walk in his footprints and the example he set.”
Mr. Fahey further expanded “Having previously served on the Rye City Council almost 20 years ago, I have witnessed Rye continue to grow and evolve. Rye’s current challenges are varied and complex; what has remained constant is Rye’s sense of community and service to neighbor. Now as a small business owner I will be bringing a new perspective to City government. What I want for Rye and its citizens is a rich and involved community that also fosters a vibrant business environment.
I am looking forward to joining Councilmember Bill Henderson and the other members of our City Council, working together to find solutions to the challenges facing our community. I am excited at the prospect of being Rye’s next councilmember.”
Ms. DiCostanzo added “In nominating Matt Fahey the Committee believes it has found just the person who can ensure that Rye will continue to be governed with effectiveness, vision and integrity.”
This year’s election for Rye City Council will be held on Election Day, November 8, 2022. The winner of the election will complete the remaining year of the 4-year term of former Rye City Councilmember Richard Mecca who passed away on April 15th of this year.
