A roughly decade-long draught without a woman serving on the Village Board of Trustees is ending following a board member resigning.
Trustee David Cardona resigned from the village board on Tuesday, Sept. 30, because he bought a home in the Town of Guilderland, and his Voorheesville home is up for sale. Mayor Robert Conway quickly acted to fill Cardona’s seat and appointed Florence Reddy the following day. She was officially sworn-in at the board’s workshop meting Wednesday, Oct. 15.
“I’ve known Flo a long time and thought she’d be a good addition … bring a different perspective to the board,” said Conway. “We certainly wanted to diversify the board, too.”
Conway said he was disappointed to see Cardona resigning, but understood his decision. Cardona had previously talked to Conway about his possible resignation, so it wasn’t a total surprise to him.
“It’s a good, cohesive board, so I think we’re all a little saddened to see him go,” said Conway. “I think what was kind of the tipping point for him was he realized he was spending more and more time out of the village. That’s when he realized, in fairness to the people that he served, it was probably best that he step aside.”
Cardona could have stayed on the board, since he still owns his home in Voorheesville. His four-year term would have ended next April. If Reddy chooses to run for election, it would be for a full term.
Cardona said the move to Guilderland was a personal change, and he will miss serving on the village board. He has lived in the village for 17 years and served on the board since 2004.
“I felt because I was in the process of moving to Guilderland on a full-time basis, it was time for me to resign,” said Cardona. “I enjoyed representing the people and feeling like we could make a difference on the board.”
Cardona said one of the most challenging tasks of being a trustee was crafting the annual budget. He also served as budget liaison for the board, working closely with the mayor. He would have liked to see the long awaited “Quiet Zone” through to completion, but feels it’s headed on the right track.
“What I enjoyed the most was working with the parks and recreation and the summer program,” said Cardona. “We had a safe atmosphere for the kids to come to and enjoy themselves in the summer program. That was always rewarding.”
Cardona attended the village board workshop meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to watch Reddy being sworn in.
“I have known Flo for a long time. She is hard working and cares for her community,” said Cardona. “I have all the confidence in the world she will continue to make all the right decisions for the people in the village.”
Reddy said she was excited Conway asked her to join the board. Reddy had never thought about running for a board seat, but now she is likely going to running for a full-term.
“To be honest, it kind of took me by surprise in a good way,” she said. “I’m just kind of learning as I go.”
Reddy has lived in Voorheesville for 25 years with her husband and raised three children in the village. She, along with her husband, owns Reddy’s Delicatessen & Grocery in Guilderland Center. She handed off day-to-day operations of the deli and works as an office administrator for Prudential Manor Homes in Delmar.
“I get along with all different types of personalities and I feel like I work well with people,” she said.
