1919 Agreement Challenged

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1919 Agreement Challenged

Written by Vilma Sceusa, gardencity@antonnews.com Friday, 08 February 2013 00:00

Residents have mixed reactions to run-off elections

Three Garden City Property Owners’ Associations ran run-off elections on Tuesday, Jan. 29 due to unprecedented challenges by two residents and a current trustee.

Garden City operates under a non-political form of government called the Community Agreement, with origins dating back to 1919. The mayor and board of trustees, as well as members of various boards and commissions, are village residents who are nominated by four POAs (Western, Estates, Central and Eastern) and serve without compensation. This is a typically unchallenged process, though the last two years have resulted in challenges and run-off elections.

Jonathan Kashimer and Arnold Finamore of the WPOA. Village Clerk Brian Ridgway advised that three simultaneous run-off elections and one made by a sitting trustee was unusual. Ridgway is election officer for village elections annually held in March. This year’s election, for the slate of run-off winners, will be held on March 19.

This year residents residing in the West headed to the polls, for a run-off election, to vote for their mayoral candidate while Estates and Eastern residents voted for their trustee.

Resident Greg Blair challenged trustee John DeMaro, the Estates POA’s nominee, while Francine Ryan ran against Dennis Donnelly, the Eastern POA’s candidate. Sitting trustee Larry Quinn challenged John Watras for mayor. Watras was unanimously nominated by the Western POA.

Residents at polling locations had mixed reactions to the run-off elections.

Voter Maureen Moynihan, of the Western section, found the run-offs an opportunity to come together and be supportive.

“It’s a positive sign for residents to have a desire for these positions and the run-offs allow us to make our own decision.”

Western resident Joan Collins described the run-offs as “democracy in action” and conceded that the village’s Community Agreement is unique.

“It’s good to rock the boat,” shared Collins. “I know both of the Western candidates to be of high character. They are good citizens with different approaches who are committed to volunteerism.”

However, fellow resident, Michael O’Conor felt the run-offs went against the spirit of the way the governing process was set up.

“The POA candidates are tremendously well qualified and a challenge is inappropriate,” added O’Conor.

Jonathan Kashimer, co-commissioner of the Western POA, said the overall feeling of the election was quite positive, describing the polling center as a lively atmosphere.

“I’m proud of the community involvement and excited about our residents’ participation in the process.”

Volunteers, including board of education members Tom Pinou and Barbara Trapasso, came out to lend a hand and support the property associations’ efforts.

Estates resident Barbara McElroy relayed that any opportunity for an open election is healthy but decried the “old guard” system.

“It’s time for the Community Agreement to be challenged for the farce that it is,” said McElroy.

Perhaps that comment holds a grain of truth among residents. The facts are that out of 16,000 registered voters in the village, 1,529 voted in the three run-offs resulting in a 9.5 percent turnout.

News

Hannon Airport Noise Study Bill Passed

Friday, 14 June 2013 00:00

“The three airports operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PA) collectively represent the busiest airport system in the United States,” said Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau). “The noise generated by all these overflights has increased steadily over time, and it’s incumbent upon the PA to conduct a noise study to ensure that aircraft noise is given proper consideration by airport operators when they determine which runways and approach paths to use.”

Hannon’s legislation, passed unanimously, is Senate bill 3841, which would require the PA to conduct a noise and land use compatibility study as set forth in 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 150. That report would then be submitted to the governors and legislatures of New York and New Jersey, and would require the PA to hold biennial public hearings at which the public would be heard regarding aircraft noise issues.

Erin Go Home

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

The suburban home setting in Freeport seems a long way from the small farmlands of the Irish midlands. Although former Garden City Schools employee Tom Phelan now lives thousands of miles away from the country he was born and raised in, he is set to release his fifth novel depicting life in his old Irish homeland.

Phelan is set to read from his collection of works on Monday, June 17 at 7 p.m. at the Summer Gazebo Readings on Schoolhouse Green in Oceanside. Though he has been writing for many years before his work was published, his first novel was released in April 1998 when a Dublin publisher accepted In the Season of the Daisies. A decade and a half later, the Freeport native is currently finishing up his fifth novel, Lies, which is set for release in 2014.

Sports

Centennials Year End Celebration

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

Family fun and sun all on the day’s agenda

The Garden City Centennials held their annual year-end Soccer Fest at St. Paul’s on Saturday, June 1. The day-long event is the culmination of the soccer season for the more than 2,100 young girls and boys that participate in one of the many programs the Centennials offer. Highlighted by the giving out of the annual awards to all players, the youngsters also enjoyed the fun games and activities throughout the day. Soccer Fest also represented the close of the travel season for the 41 girls and boys teams that compete in the Long Island Junior Soccer League. And with 39 travel teams, the Centennials have become one of the top programs not only on Long Island, but in New York State.

Litigator Hopes To Float Like A Butterfly

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

“Ro-Hammad Ali” dons gloves for charity

Not too many attorneys have made their way to glory in the boxing ring. Roseanne “Ro-Hammad Ali” Beovich hopes to become the first when she participates in the 10th annual Long Island Fight for Charity event on November 25 at the Hilton of Melville.

Beovich, an associate attorney at Genser, Dubow, Genser & Cona, LLP in Melville, has no formal boxing experience but “became interested in boxing because I like to try new sports and find activities that will challenge me.”