In a probable history-making election on the Great Neck peninsula, Saddle Rock resident Julia Gavriel won a position on the village's board of trustees with a write-in campaign. Ms. Gavriel received 47 write-in votes, while incumbent trustee Gila Aizer, whose name was on the ballot, received only 27 votes. Alan M. Freedman won his first term as a trustee with 61 votes.

Until election day, Tuesday, March 21, officially, Ms. Aizer and Dr. Freedman were unopposed.

Longtime Saddle Rock Mayor J. Leonard Samansky told the Great Neck Record, "I look forward to Alan Freedman and Julia Gavriel officially joining the Saddle Rock Board of Trustees on April 5. I know that we will all work together in continuing to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the residents of the Village of Saddle Rock."

Julia Gavriel, an attorney and the mother of two young children, says that she was approached by Saddle Rock residents to consider a run for the trustee post. Residents, she told the Record, "expressed their desire for a change." At first she questioned whether or not she would have the time for further responsibilities, but decided, in the end, to run. However, by the time Ms. Gavriel decided to run, it was too late to submit a petition to have her name placed on the ballot.

Ms. Gavriel says that "The residents wanted a trustee who would express their interests and concerns to the board of trustees. The voice of the residents of the Village of Saddle Rock was heard on March 21, 2006, when residents repeatedly voted for me as a write-in candidate."

Ms. Gavriel added, "I hope I fulfill the expectations of the residents of the Village of Saddle Rock. The residents, the board, the mayor, and the village clerk have my personal commitment that I will be an active member of the board and will aim to serve both the residents and the village."