In an election that was proportionately as close as the presidential election, Bernard Rolston defeated Stephen McGann for the Manhasset Park District by a vote of 323 to 116. The two were running for a seat on the commission that will be open upon the retirement of Michael C. Adams.

The turnout for the election was much larger than usual for a special district election. Mr. McGann ran on a platform of open communication with the community. He stressed the fact that he is a daily commuter who understands the parking problems of Manhasset. He did not support calls for the acquisition of parkland by the district on the basis that it can not afford such an endeavor.

Mr. Rolston, on the other hand, stressed the need for more recreational facilities for athletics in Manhasset as well as the need for the park district to help protect the remaining green space in Manhasset.

A few days before the election an anonymous letter was placed in thousands of mail boxes criticizing Mr. Adams' tenure on the park commission and stating that Mr. McGann, Adams' son-in-law, would "maintain the Adams control." (See editorial page letters). Although a number of McGann supporters believed Mr. Rolston had written the letter, it was subsequently acknowledged by Mr. Charles Augenthaler, a persistent critic of Mr. Adams, to have been his work. Mr. Rolston had stated that any message he wished to send would be "in full color with my name on it." He added that he believed the anonymous letter hurt him rather than helped him.

In the election for commissioner of the Manhasset Lakeville Water/Fire Department, Brian Jennings was opposed by Dan Crowley. Mr. Jennings, the incumbent, defeated Mr. Crowley 498 to 269.