Two weeks ago, it was announced that a new political party has been created in the Village of Stewart Manor. The Village Party has been formed to challenge the Unity Party, which formerly was the sole party.

The Village Party, in the upcoming March 20 election will offer a slate of four candidates, one for mayor, two for trustees and one for village justice.

According to the Village Party, what they consider most important is, "opening the lines of communication throughout the village, by reinventing the Manorite Newsletter, and prepublishing meeting agendas for all board meetings." Additionally, the newly created party would like to encourage community involvement through various subcommittees; ensure appropriate funding, training, and support for emergency services; complete ongoing major capital projects in an accelerated and timely manner; enhance the security in the community through greater involvement with the Nassau County Police, the Police Auxiliary, and the Private Security; promote and retain desired commerce in the village; plan for and provide expanded recreational facilities in the community; and maintain a high standard for the physical condition and appearance of the community.

Some of the projects that the new party would like to study include reviewing parking issues with the chamber of commerce and studying the possible use of parking lots behind stores for merchant parking or the issuance of merchant parking permits, conducting a review of meter policies, expanding the pool complex to include more programs and facilities, exploring possible land opportunities for recreational development, and conducting a long-term study for expanded community utilization of the country club. In addition, the party would like to study the feasibility of establishing a police booth within the community, review the effectiveness of the private security service, provide police updates at all village board meetings, and conduct a survey on the effectiveness of the present level of street lighting. The party would also like to study the establishment of an architectural review board; expand the latitude of the zoning board to entertain a wider scope of special conditions and circumstances; enforce maintenance guidelines throughout the village for homeowners, renters, merchants, and landlords; complete renovation of village hall in accordance with bond provisions, build a village website, and increase the utilization of the Four-Village Cable Network.

The Village Party slate will feature Joseph J. Troiano for mayor, John R. Egan for trustee, Kenneth R. Ruff for trustee, and Joanne S. Chevallier for village justice.

Troiano, a Stewart Manor resident for the past 26 years, has been a village trustee since November. He is the owner of Manor Home Financing Mortgage Company. Currently, Troiano is the chairman of St. Anne's School Board-Finance; he served as a Stewart Manor Zoning Board member from 1997-2000; was a Stewart Manor Planning Board member from 1995-1997; and in 1997 served as a member of the Stewart Manor Road Refurbishing Committee. Troiano is a member of the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce, is a member and past president of the Stewart Manor Lion's Club, in 1999 he served as an assistant Cub Scout leader, and from 1986-1992 served as a member of the Nassau County Auxiliary Police. He and his wife Mary, a registered nurse, have four children.

Egan, a 20-year resident of Stewart Manor is the proprietor of Egan's Corner Butcher. He is a member of the Nassau County Auxiliary Police, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member and co-founder of the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Stewart Manor Zoning Board, and was a member of the Stewart Manor Lion's Club from 1990-1996. He and his wife Margaret, an insurance investigator, have three children.

Ruff, a resident of Stewart Manor for nine years, is the senior project director for the Federal Reserve Bank of NY. Ruff is a member of the St. Anne's School Technology Committee, in 1999 served as the Stewart Manor representative to (SAFE) Subcommittee Against Freight Expansion on LIRR Hempstead Branch, and is presently a driver for St. Anne's Holiday Food Drives. He and his wife Grace have two children.

Chevallier, a resident of Stewart Manor for 21 years, is seeking to continue her position as village justice, prior to holding this position, Chevallier served as village prosecutor. She is a lector and Eucharistic Minister for St. Anne's Parish, is a member of St. Anne's Hospital Visitation Group, is a member of St. Anne's Altar Server Training Group, is an executive board member of Nassau Magistrates Association, is an executive board member of Regis High School Parents Club, and is a member of Order Sons of Italy Lodge 2245. She formerly was a member of St. Anne's School Board, treasurer for St. Anne's Home School Association, activities chairperson for Cub Scout Pack 134, and Daisy and Brownie Troop leader.

The Unity Party slate consists of John J. O'Keefe, for mayor; Susan Donahue; Peter L. Genova, for trustee; and Phillip S. Milone for village justice.

Though they were contacted, the Unity Party did not provide their platform information or bios on their candidates prior to the press deadline.

Elections for these four positions will be held on March 20.