To the Editor:

Feb. 21, 2018:  Although as of August, I am president emerita of Sarah Lawrence College and Peter and I are now based in Los Angeles, we still care deeply about the wonderful Bronxville community that we joined and enjoyed for a decade. That care includes helping to support outstanding candidates for public office in the village who can best represent the community with intelligence and a moral compass.

It is in this context that I’d like to say why I believe Bill Primps is a stellar candidate for Bronxville Village justice and a worthy successor to Judge George McKinnis.

I have known Bill for many years, as we were classmates at Yale. In 2006, Bill and Phia were instrumental in encouraging (actually, lobbying) me to seriously consider becoming a candidate for president of Sarah Lawrence when I was contacted by the search firm conducting the search.

They extolled the virtues of both Sarah Lawrence College (where Phia had worked in development) and the Village of Bronxville, where they raised their children and were active members of the community. 

Bill had been involved in village government for many years, serving as an elected trustee, as well as deputy mayor.  

When Peter and I moved to Bronxville in 2007, we discovered the pleasures of both Bronxville and Yonkers, and Bill and Phia continued to be an important link to the community as well as active participants in the life of Sarah Lawrence.

Bill Primps is, quite simply, one of the most ethical, fair, and civic-minded people I know. He is a person to be counted on. He was appointed by Mayor Mary Marvin to serve as counsel to the village board of ethics, where he has served for over 12 years. 

While in private law practice, he has been involved in pro bono cases and public affairs. Based on his strong interest in mitigating the impact of mass incarceration in the US, he has been a strong supporter of the village court's restorative justice program.

In addition to his work in village government, he has served on the governing boards of several local organizations, including The Reformed Church, The Bronxville School Foundation, The Community Fund, and the Bronxville Field Club.

Although I, myself, am a lifelong Democrat (now more than ever), I am pleased to support someone who I know would put his considerable talents and admirable values to work for his local community.

I hope you will join me in recognizing these qualities and consider voting for Bill Primps in the upcoming village election.

Karen Lawrence
President Emerita, Sarah Lawrence College

Editor's note:  MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.