Somers School Board Candidate: Joseph Marra

Five residents are running for three open seats on the Somers Central School Board of Education, and the vote is next week. 

Voters will go to the polls on May 21, casting their ballots from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the middle school gymnasium. Voters will decide on a $83,545,682 spending plan, with a tax rate of $151.95 for each $1,000 of assessed value, a jump of 3.61 percent over this year’s $146.66 — for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The candidates are: current trustee Ifay Chang; Donna Rosenblum, who was appointed to the Somers school board in January after Anthony Cirieco resigned from his position to serve on the Somers Town Board; Joseph Marra; Karen Frieri and Richard Wagner.

Patch reached out to each candidate who replied to the same set of questions. Here are Joseph Marra's answers:

Patch: Why are you running for the Somers school board?

Marra: I have a desire to serve our community. Helping in the education process would be the best way for me to do so. I believe that in this competitive global environment our nation’s continued security and prosperity is dependent upon making sure that our children are provided the best education possible without eroding our tax base. Being on the Somers School Board allows me to serve and to do something toward attaining this goal.

Patch: Why should district residents elect you to the position?

Marra: My 29 years of experience as an attorney, as well my time as a tax accountant, my service as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County and my service on other Boards would be an invaluable asset to our community. With a state imposed property tax cap, unfunded state mandates and escalating costs our district faces difficult choices. My education, experience and the ability to work collaboratively with others makes me uniquely qualified to serve and help our community to meet those challenges. 

Patch: What do you consider the top three concerns in the school district?

Marra: 

1. Improving on the quality of the already excellent education being provided.

2. Getting the highest possible value for every tax dollar collected.

3. Dealing with unfunded directives and mandates from Albany without taxing our residents out of the district.

Patch: What is your tentative plan to address those issues?

Marra: 

It would be inappropriate for me to enter office “with guns blazing” and try to and impose my views on the other members of the Board. I will one of 7 voices and I will not be successful in accomplishing anything without first exploring the issues with my colleagues on the Board, Superintendent Dr. Raymond H. Blanche and the members of his administration. I feel is important to first understand how they see things, then seek to be understood and, if necessary, persuade.

My philosophy is to view the School District to some extent as a business. Our students are our product. We must make our students attractive to universities and employees alike. They should leave the District being able to write and speak expressively, have computer and technology related skills, be proficient in math and science, be socially responsible and be of the highest moral and ethical character.

The biggest expense of the district and our biggest asset is our employees. I would like to explore how these vital human assets can be better utilized and how we can help our teachers and others in the district work more efficiently with the parents, other local governmental agencies and businesses to better serve the community and the interests of our students.

Patch: What is your opinion of the proposed 2013-2014 budget and the impact of the cap on the tax levy?

Marra: The budget is fiscally responsible under the circumstances and I endorse it. We are fortunate to have an increase in revenue of in excess of 9% from sources other than the local property taxes which is helping to maintain the programs the district offers and the quality of our education. Spending should increase at a rate of slightly more than 3% and with inflation having increased at slightly more than 2%. It is anticipated that the tax levy will increase slightly more than 2%

Though the Tax Levy cap imposes a limit on the amount of tax increases year over year a school district or municipality may impose, it is extremely complicated and does take some control away from the individual localities. Since it is law my opinion of it at this point is to a large extent irrelevant. As a member of the Board my job will be to deal with it and figure how best to utilize it for the benefit of the district.

Patch: What organizations/groups do you belong to?

Marra: I refer you to resume but I would like to highlight a few of the items listed. I feel my work on the Charter Revision Committee of the City of Yonkers, my time as the President of Hunters Glen Condominium II and my service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors of the Lincoln High (Yonkers) Academy of Finance will be invaluable if I am fortunate enough to be elected to the Board.

Patch: Is there anything I haven't asked that you would like the public to know about you or your candidacy?

Marra: I grew up in the Northeast Bronx. I lived there until I was in my mid-20’s. I was the youngest of three boys. I am from a middle class family where hard work and integrity were stressed. My father never finished high school as he was forced to work as a teenager during the Great Depression and then headed off to serve his country abroad in World War II. He was able to provide for his family and like my mother always stressed the value of an education. My mother stayed at home and provided a strong positive influence and was the anchor of our family.

My eldest brother Arthur is a retired New York City Detective Sergeant currently working in security. My brother Ronald passed away last August. He was a successful salesman for Kodak for many years. Each of them has 2 adult children.

I have also lived in Yonkers, New York, where my law practice has been located since 1988, and in the Town of Southeast, (Carmel, New York post office). I moved to Somers in 1997. 

I have physical custody of my 2 children. My daughter Monique is a Junior in Somers High School and my son Max is a Freshman at Iona Prep.

I am a graduate of Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx. I hold a BBA in Accounting from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York (Cum Laude) and I received my law degree (Juris Doctorate) from St. John’s University School of Law. I also hold a Masters in Law (LLM) in Taxation from the Graduate Division of New York University’s School of Law.

I have had my own law practice since 1988. Prior to that, I worked for “Big 8” accounting firms, a small law firm and as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County.
I am proud to say that I have worked in some capacity since 8th grade. I worked my way through high school, college and law school as a waiter, a busboy, a counterman, a sandwich maker, a pieceworker, a kitchen helper, a bowling alley attendant, an accounting clerk and delivery boy.