There's a new party in town. The "Mineola First" Party will run three candidates in the upcoming village election. Maryanne Warnecke, the former Village of Mineola trustee, will be running for mayor. Her running mates are Dorothy Rudolph and James LaMonica, who are both running for trustee.

The new party hopes to bring energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the village board. Warnecke decided not to run for re-election last year because she wanted to focus her energies on this year's election. "I have decided to run for mayor because many people in this village are uncomfortable with the direction in which this village is headed. They want a choice. They want a change. For too long our village government has been locked down in secrecy. Whether you are a resident trying to get basic information or submitting a formal request for information under the Freedom of Information Law, the current administration stands in your way. I will bring open government to our village by getting you the information you need when you need it. There will be no secrets in the Warnecke administration because I am committed to Mineola, not politics," she said.

The party is against paying current bills with one-shot revenues and believes revenue from the sale of land should be put toward the infrastructure of the village. The Mineola First Party believes in keeping a careful watch over the budget.

Here is a look at the Mineola First candidates. The following biographies were submitted by the candidates:

Maryanne Warnecke and her husband, Thomas, reside on Lincoln Avenue with their three children: Theresa, Charles, and Timothy. Warnecke is a lifelong resident of Mineola and a third generation homeowner in this village.

Warnecke is a registered nurse. She received a BSN from Adelphi University where she also attended graduate school. Her area of concentration as both an undergraduate and graduate student was gerontological nursing. She is currently employed by Mercy Medical Center, located in Rockville Centre, and serves as their Operating Room's Nurse Clinician. This position allows her to utilize her experience and skills to manage, teach, and coordinate programs for the entire Operating Room staff. She is also responsible for their Quality Advantage program and gathering the data for, and generating, the Quarterly and Year-End Reports.

Mrs. Warnecke was appointed trustee by former Mayor Robert W. Hinck, Sr. in 1991 and was subsequently elected to five two-year terms. As trustee, she was liaison to almost every department in the village. In 1991 Mrs. Warnecke initiated and coordinated the first village-sponsored free flu shot program for senior citizens, which she turned into an annual event. She has proposed and has always supported a larger tax exemption for senior citizens. In an effort to battle illegal housing, Mrs. Warnecke proposed local laws to restrict the number of electrical and gas meters on houses. To help stop the loitering around the village, she proposed the construction of a new police booth on Willis Avenue, which added extra protection and security to the village. In keeping Mineola a first-rate village, Warnecke advocated the acquisition of much needed equipment for the Department of Public Works, a new ambulance for the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and upgraded equipment for the Mineola Fire Department. Mrs. Warnecke supported the renovations of the new village hall, library, pool, and firehouse. She initiated discussions, which led to the construction of a roller rink at Wilson Park and a new playground at Memorial Park. In keeping Mineola a first rate and desired village, and to bring the Village in to the 21st century, Mrs. Warnecke fully supported the Downtown Village Revitalization Program, which is in progress today.

Warnecke, her husband, Tom, and their children are all actively involved in community affairs. Warnecke and Tom have been active participants in the Mineola Athletic Association and the Police Activity League. They are parishioners of Corpus Christi Church and have been active in many of their programs. Warnecke has served as president of Corpus Christi School's Parent Club, and is currently a Girl Scout leader, Troop 973. She and Tom were the recipients of the Pope Pius X award from the Diocese of Rockville Centre for their service to the Corpus Christi Religious Education Department, where they co-chaired the Baptism Committee. Warnecke also served as a member of the Religious Education board. She has served on the Mineola Division of the American Heart Association and has been involved with the American Red Cross.

With a strong and obvious commitment to the community, Warnecke is dedicated to the idea of keeping "Mineola First."

Dorothy Rudolph and her husband, Thomas, have been residents of Mineola since 1993, residing on Marcellus Road where they have been happily raising their two children, Matthew, 9, and Sarah, 5. Rudolph is a first generation American. Her parents, sister and brother came to America from Poland to pursue the American dream. She is very proud of this and all that they have accomplished.

Mrs. Rudolph received her AS from St. John's University and her BSN from Molloy College. She is a registered nurse and is currently employed by Winthrop-University Hospital where she works in their critical care areas. She has also worked as a substitute nurse in the Mineola school system. Prior to this she was employed by Catholic Medical Center Home Health Care Agency in Queens. Mrs. Rudolph, being an RN, enthusiastically volunteered her services to administer the flu vaccine to seniors at the Village sponsored Senior Flu Shot Program and was an active participant in the "Three Day Breast Cancer Walk" that ultimately raised $6 million for breast cancer research.

Mrs. Rudolph has coordinated the Marcellus Road Block Party, which is now entering its fifth year, and a Block Sale, which she also hopes to turn into an annual event. Actively involved in the Mineola Athletic Association, Rudolph has been its recording secretary for the past three years. Both of the Rudolph children attend Corpus Christi School. Rudolph and Tom have been active in many of Corpus Christi School's functions and fundraisers, such as the Fashion Show, Supermarket Bingo, and the Development Fund Dinner Dance, in addition to being on the School Board. Mrs. Rudolph also serves on Corpus Christi Church's Family Liturgy Committee. This past year, she co-chaired one of the largest fundraisers for Corpus Christi School, the Chocolate Candy Drive. Tom has been the coordinator for the Corpus Christi CYO Basketball for the past five years in addition to coaching and managing many Mineola Athletic Association and Police Activity League teams. Rudolph has worked alongside him through all of these activities. Many may also recognize them from the many hours they spend at the Mineola Pool each summer. Tom is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2502 and both have attended and helped with many of their functions.

Rudolph and Tom, being very satisfied with life in Mineola, persuaded Tom's parents, Pat and Joe, to move to Mineola from Queens. The Rudolph's enthusiastic involvement in the community inspired Tom's parents to do the same, as they take part in many of Mineola's activities.

Rudolph and Tom have been very pleased with Mineola, but feel that there is still room for Mineola to grow and expand as a community. As wife, mother, and resident, Rudolph will do her best to put "Mineola First."

Jim LaMonica and his wife Kate reside on Andrews Road with their two children, Allison and Eva. They are looking forward to the arrival of their third child this summer. LaMonica graduated with Honors from Hobart College in Geneva, NY. He holds a BS in Computer Science and minors in both Math and Economics.

While attending Hobart, LaMonica was president of the Newman Club for two years. As president, he was responsible for writing and balancing the budget, fundraising, petitioning the administration finance committee and acting as liaison between the Catholic community and the college administration. Mr. LaMonica was also a four year starter and head coach of the Seneca Lacrosse Club.

Mr. LaMonica began his professional career in technical sales at Weico Wire & Cable, Inc. and currently holds the position of vice president. In this position, LaMonica is responsible for all of the day-to-day activities required to run a successful business. This includes complete responsibility over all areas including manufacturing, sales and marketing, distribution, accounting, and employee relations. Mr. LaMonica also takes an active role in managing the company's profit sharing plan.

LaMonica and his family are parishioners at Corpus Christi Church where they are active participants in many programs. His daughter, Allison, is currently enrolled in their nursery school program.

LaMonica and his family moved to Mineola after his first daughter was born because he admired the strong sense of community and many activities Mineola has to offer the community. He felt it would create the ideal setting in which to instill values and raise a family. LaMonica is running for village trustee so he can help maintain and expand the strong foundation, which brought him to Mineola in the first place. He brings with him enthusiasm, energy, a strong financial background and business sense and a commitment to the residents to put " Mineola first."