Randi Picarello, a Village of Montgomery trustee and member of the Business Council of Greater Montgomery, announced that she would be running for village mayor during a special election in March 2024. If elected, she would serve for a year, finishing Mayor Steve Brescia’s remaining term, and then run for a full four-year term in March 2025.

Brescia, who announced last week that he would resign on December 31, is set to become the new Town of Montgomery Supervisor.

Picarello, who joined the village board in March 2023, wishes to serve the village and residents’ needs further as mayor and will begin campaigning in the new year.

“I hope to be considered by the residents of the Village of Montgomery to represent their interests in decision-making for the remainder of this term. I think I have shown my dedication and ability since being elected Trustee; and with their confidence and support, I will continue the work needed on their behalf as mayor,” she said. “I look forward to more discussion with residents and to knocking on doors to hear their hopes and concerns for our village in early 2024.”

Picarello, the executive director of the Business Council of Greater Montgomery, previously operated Eat This Bakery on Union Street for a decade.

“There are currently four generations of my family living here,” she wrote in a March 2023 letter to the editor. “My parents graduated from Valley Central as did myself and my husband. I’ve seen this village grow and change for 37 years. I remember the belly bump on Goodwill Road and picking strawberries in my Nana’s backyard. I remember when Hoeffner’s put out an entire trailer of lit pumpkins for Halloween before battery operated candles were a thing. I chatted with Richie Reynolds about the Montgomery Day parade often while eating my (still) favorite comfort food: Copperfingers. I bought penny candy at Ed’s Deli and waited for the bus in front of the “old” post office. I understand all of the things people love about this Village, old and new because I have seen them progress.”

“As a village,” she added, “ we should create a strong team of diverse ages and backgrounds to successfully balance utilizing the knowledge of the experienced members and the excitement of newer members, ready to roll up their sleeves and put in the work for the next generation to enjoy this wonderful community.”

Picarello is, to date, the only announced candidate for mayor in the March 19 election. There will also be an election for village trustee on that date, with Kevin Conero the only announced candidate for that seat. Conero was appointed to the village board last month, following the resignation of longtime Village Trustee Walt Lindner.