GOP Puts Forward Rye Resident for Parker’s County Legislator Seat
The Westchester County Republican Committee has put forward a local Rye resident to run for Catherine Parker’s 7th District seat as Westchester County Legislator. Parker (Democrat and Rye resident) is termed out and not able to run again. Kurt van Kuller will be the GOP’s man. He lives in the Rye Town Park area, and is an executive with 40 plus years in municipal and housing finance. Van Kuller will face Anant Nambiar, a Town of Mamaroneck councilman who has received the backing of local Democrats.
“I am honored and excited by the opportunity to devote 100% of my time to being an energetic advocate for my home District,” said van Kuller in his announcement. “We have had the same representation in White Plains for the last 11 years. The taxpayers of Rye, Harrison and Mamaroneck deserve a real change and more effective leadership.”
Most recently van Kuller was a portfolio manager at Sit Investment Associates. He has also logged time with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Merrill Lynch, Lebenthal, Moseley Hallgarten, and S&P. His work included heading a municipal bond research team, responsibility for all local government credit approvals at a global bank, and directing investments into hundreds of municipal projects. His campaign said “he was a prolific author of reports and texts on all manner of issues affecting local governments and housing, providing government testimony and counsel.”
He promises “focusing the County Legislature on sound fiscal management” and “(he) will be undeterred in his fight to reduce unnecessary spending and reducing the tax burden for District residents. Westchester County homeowners – especially in District 7 – continue to pay the highest property taxes in the nation.”
van Kuller promises progress on flood mitigation. “Whenever a heavy rain comes, residents in much of Mamaroneck and parts of Rye fear for the safety of their homes and family. We remain at high – indeed increasing risk – of more natural disasters. I have to ask – how much real flood prevention has the County delivered? I am eager to partner with local representatives interested in finding solutions to the flooding right now.”
His announcement also lists other priorities including “preserving our local environment and quality of life, improving L.I.Sound water quality, increasing recreational space for our children, and enhancing smart commercial development” as well as “determining the future of Playland” and “(strongly opposing) outrageous electric and gas charges impacting our communities”.
van Kuller and his wife of 37 years Diana raised their two adult sons in Rye, sending them through the Rye school system. van Kuller is a regular volunteer at Resurrection Church in Rye (including its POTs (Part of the Solution) program) and a member / donor for a wide array of local charitable and historical organizations including the Rye Historical Society (he lived next door to Knapp House and Nursery Field), Friends of Edith Read Wildlife, Jay Heritage Center and Save the Sound.
Professionally, he served in a variety of industry-related governance organizations including past chairman of the Municipal Analysts Group of NY; past treasurer and board member of the Municipal Forum of NY; past board member of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. He was appointed to the National Housing Policy Advisory Panel by Al D’Amato, former Senator from New York. Mr. van Kuller earned both a B.A in Economics and MBA from the State University of New York at Albany. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
The election for the 7th Legislative district will be held on Tuesday, November 4th . The 7th Legislative District includes the City of Rye, the Village and Town of Mamaroneck, Larchmont and sections of the Town of Harrison. The District includes over 43,000 voters.
