Lawrence Village Trustee Parris Popak announced she will run for mayor because current city leader Alex Edelman cannot be re-elected due to term limits.
In Lawrence, the mayor serves four two-year terms.
Popak, 59, who has served as a trustee since 2020, was instrumental in completely renovating the playground at Zion Park, a village facility located on Central Avenue, just across from Village Hall.
“I love Lawrence and want him to prosper and grow,” she wrote in an email.
Popak said if elected, his main focus will be a safe and secure village, and he is currently working on improving lighting towards that goal.
“Home and dock addresses need to be visible day and night to first responders,” she said.
Mr. Popak, who is also a member of the village-owned and operated Lawrence Yacht & Country Club, has been at the forefront of helping country clubs remain a viable part of Lawrence's recreational landscape. The facility opened in 1924 and features an 18-hole golf course, 9 tennis courts, and a 135-court marina.
Popak was elevated to the appointed position after board member Jeff Lundy, who had served as deputy mayor, resigned from the board last year.
“I have no doubt in my mind that she will be a great mayor,” Edelman said. “She is extremely dedicated to the Village of Lawrence and I have no doubts about her abilities and talents and her love for the staff of her Village.”
In 2018, Popak came forward to help revive the Lawrence Society. The organization that calls itself the village's “watchdog” has been inactive for about a year.
“I am blessed to be able to volunteer full-time in the community,” she said.
With the help of the association's current president, Jacqueline Handel, the group began hosting issue-oriented meetings on overdevelopment on February 29 at the Country Club, 101 Causeway in Lawrence, starting at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are being held on an ongoing basis.
“We're saturated with transportation issues,” Popak said. “We need to have infrastructure and evacuation routes in place. We are suburban, not urban.”
The former women's tennis club president participated in the Play for PINK (Prevention, Instant Diagnosis, New Technology, Knowledge) summer fundraiser held at Country Club Popac, and several other women donated money for pan cancer research. Foundation that raised $1,000.
“Paris has been dedicated and active in the community, and has been especially dedicated to improving the incorporated village of Lawrence,” Handel said in an email, adding that the Lawrence Association, whose past president is the village mayor, He added that he was “delighted” to have been appointed. leader. “She is the most qualified person to be our next mayor.”
Prior to joining the board, Mr. Popak also served on the village's parks committee. As a board member, Mr. Popak also helped re-establish the Memorial Day Parade as a community event in Lawrence.
“I have a strong background in community service, and I look forward to continuing to support the village in the best way I can,” she said, adding that she will continue to support residents through an updated website and social media. She added that her challenge is also to improve communication with the public.
She is originally from Oregon and came to the East after participating in a modeling contest held by the famous Ford Model Agency. Ms. Popak, who has lived in Lawrence for her 29 years, remained in New York, where she met her husband, Joseph. The couple has four adult daughters.
The village election is June 18th. All candidate petitions are expected to be submitted by May 14th.
As of this writing, no other candidates have announced their candidacy.
