Candidates for Flower Hill Village Justice received questions from the Manhasset Press to serve as a framework in providing their neighbors with information about themselves. Following are the responses from J. Bruce Byrne, incumbent, and Scott Siller, challenger.

Elections in all Manhasset villages will take place on Tuesday, March 20, from noon to 9 p.m. The election site for Flower Hill is the Flower Hill Village Hall, 1 Bonnie Heights Road. -PG

My wife, Kaye, and I have lived in the Village of Flower Hill for 45 years,

and I am seeking re-election as the Village Justice of Flower Hill where I have served as Village Justice and am now standing for my sixth term in office.

After moving to the village in 1962, I became President of the Rollingwood Civic Association, then became a director of the Flower Hill Civic Association. I was elected a trustee of the village in 1975, serving 10 years, and then became Village Justice in 1985.

I am running for re-election to utilize and continue my experience to oversee the smooth and efficient running of the court. I have a unique and personal understanding of the court and how it functions.

I am a graduate of Georgetown University and St. John's Law School. I am a member of the State Bar as well as being admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts. I am also admitted to the United States Supreme Court. Currently I am a member of the New York Magistrates Association and Past President of the Nassau Magistrates Association.

I have been married to my wife, Kaye, for 48 years, and we have one son, Douglas, who presently resides with his wife in Sweden.

All my professional life I have been a trial lawyer and was Senior Trial Counsel to Con Edison before entering private practice.

One of my principal goals when I became judge was to make the court accessible to the people. We recognize that going to court can be an intimidating experience, so if we can create a friendly atmosphere, the experience will not be so stressful. Another goal is to always treat everyone who appears before the court with dignity and respect, and above all, be a good listener.

One of the problems facing our village, and all surrounding areas for that matter, is controlling and monitoring the trend to expand existing dwellings. Our task in the local court is to enforce the local rules, regulations, and ordinances relative to how much construction is permitted. A thorough understanding of the local zoning code is critical to this task. When violations occur, the matter comes before the village court. We have an excellent record in obtaining compliance. Sometimes the matter only requires a conference before the bench.

Of course, identifying and correcting the situation is necessary and that is why the village engaged the services of a code enforcement officer who has the authority to issue summonses returnable before the court. At that point, the Judge can assess the problem and take appropriate action, if the violation has not been corrected.

I have been a Manhasset resident since 1971 and am seeking to be elected as Village Justice for the Village of Flower Hill.

Since my graduation from New York Law School in 1988, I have been providing legal services on a daily basis to thousands of litigants in housing, family, civil and supreme courts throughout the New York area under their union's legal services benefits plan for those who otherwise would not have been able to afford legal representation.

Also since 1988 I have served as a Nassau County District Court arbitrator and have presided over hundreds of civil matters which has amplified my desire to sit as your Village Justice.

I am presently awaiting appointment to the Queens County Family Court Law Guardian Panel where I will be acting as a children's advocate in both domestic violence and abuse and neglect cases.

As a longtime Manhasset resident who was raised here and now resides with my wife and two small boys in Flower Hill, I have the desire and insight based on my varied legal background to successfully protect and enforce the Village of Flower Hill's codes and laws while providing all parties with respect and courtesy.