Grunthal Named To Fill Griffin's Mount Kisco Trustee Seat

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. -- Former Mount Kisco Trustee Peter Grunthal rejoined the village board on Tuesday night when he was appointed to fill the seat that became vacant due to the death of Deputy Mayor George Griffin Jr.

Peter Grunthal, pictured at his first meeting during his second stint as a Mount Kisco trustee.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Mount Kisco Trustee Anthony Markus, right, was named deputy mayor at the village board's Jan. 20 meeting.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Mount Kisco's village board underwent changes on Tuesday, with the appointment of Peter Grunthal to a vacant empty and of Anthony Markus to the deputy mayor's post.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Tom Auchterlonie

01/21/2015 3:00 p.m.

“I’m looking forward to working with you again," said Mayor Michael Cindrich, who unilaterally appointed Grunthal.

The mayor explained that only his approval is needed under state law.

Griffin, who died of cancer on Christmas Eve, was an elected village trustee and was appointed to the deputy mayor post by Cindrich. The latter role was held in addition to the former.

Shortly after naming Grunthal, Cindrich selected Trustee Anthony Markus to serve as the new deputy mayor.

Cindrich also had praise for Markus, who has served on the board since 2003, saying he is “committed to the village and I believe he will do an exceptional job.”

Details of Grunthal's biography were shared by the mayor during the meeting and by the returning board member himself when he took questions from reporters after the meeting.

Grunthal, who said that he previously served from 2003 to 2010, was appointed by Cindrich to a vacant seat for a second time. Cindrich made his first appointment 11 years ago in order to fill a trustee seat that he vacated due to becoming mayor.

Grunthal's appointment will run until Dec. 7, 2015, according to Cindrich, which is when a new two-year term would start for the seat.

An election for the seat's new term is scheduled for November. Grunthal, when asked whether he will seek a full term, said he has not decided.

Grunthal told reporters that he was previously an actuary and has retired. He also said that he taught business and economics at Marymount and Fordham University.

Grunthal is also chairman of the village's Byram Lake Committee, which has oversight of the local water supply and watershed. He added that he plans to retain his seat on the committee.

Grunthal, during the same reporters' conversation, was asked about what he hopes to accomplish. In reply, he named continued environmental improvements and sound financial management.

Financial and environmental interests have been significant topics for Grunthal in his local career. In addition to Grunthal's Byram Lake Committee role, Cindrich mentioned his past role on the local finance advisory committee.

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