Grand View-on-Hudson Welcomes First New Mayor in Quarter-Century

Patricia Gunning has been sworn in as the new Mayor of the Village of Grand View-on-Hudson, becoming the first new mayor of the village in 24 years. The ceremony followed the village’s first contested mayoral election in that same span, bringing a closely watched campaign to a close and opening a new chapter in the leadership of one of Rockland County’s smallest and most distinctive river villages.

Mayor Gunning took the oath of office before a full room of residents, neighbors, and local officials. The oath was administered by the Honorable Linda Christopher, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department. Trustee Catherine Whitney served as Master of Ceremonies. Newly elected Trustees Jonathan Bell and Melissa Weinhaus were also sworn in during the proceedings.

Gunning is a veteran New York prosecutor with more than two decades in the courtroom. She served in both the Kings County and Rockland County District Attorney’s offices before being appointed by the Governor of New York as Special Prosecutor and Inspector General for the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. She runs The Law Office of Patricia E. Gunning in New City, has served as Village Justice of Grand View-on-Hudson and South Nyack, and maintains a pro bono practice representing immigrants in removal and asylum proceedings.

In her remarks, Mayor Gunning paid tribute to the legacy of former Mayor Lawrence R. Lynn, who served the village for 24 years, and to the trustees and staff who kept the village running under his leadership. She framed the moment as one of both continuity and renewal. “The idea that people are coming together, and our village is coming together in a way that I have not seen in a long time, has really been wonderful. I look forward to working with all of you to protect our village, to preserve it, and to move it forward into the future,” said Mayor Gunning

Gunning also emphasized the importance of close cooperation with neighboring Piermont, which provides a range of shared services to Grand View-on-Hudson residents. “We have a lot of shared issues, and I look forward to continuing working together to the benefit of both of our communities,” she said.

Describing Grand View-on-Hudson as “A very, very special place,” Gunning called the village “an eclectic little community” and pledged her commitment to stewardship, transparency, and broader civic participation in the years ahead.

The ceremony drew a notable cross-section of the region’s public officials and community leaders, including Piermont Mayor Nate Mitchell, Piermont Police Chief Michael Hurley, members of the judiciary, former Mayor Lawrence R. Lynn, and longtime village staff. Their attendance underscored the close working relationships among neighboring Hudson River communities and the enduring civic strength of the village.

The event concluded on a warm and celebratory note, with strong community turnout reflecting a shared sense of optimism about the village’s next chapter under its new leadership.