The New Line Party announced its candidates for the March election. Jay Monaco and Bob Teemsma will run for trustee for the New Line Party for the two seats that are up for election. Thus far, there are four candidates - Monaco, Teemsma of the New Line Party and Linda Fairgrieve and Paul Cusato of the Hometown Party - vying for two seats.

This election is an important one considering it could change the balance of power on the village board. Currently, the New Line Party with Mayor Jack Martins, Deputy Mayor Larry Werther and Trustee Steve Franzini control the majority on the board. With two seats up, the New Line Party could lose its majority, gain a seat or maintain its current 3-2 majority.

In Monaco and Teesma, the party feels it nominated two candidates who exemplify the party's motto of "Honesty, Integrity and Accountability."

Monaco became involved in the New Line Party two years ago, when Mayor Martins ran for trustee. Mayor Martins was proud to make the nomination, which was seconded by fellow party members Richard Maher and John Curry.

Monaco has been a resident of Mineola since 1988. He has 25 years experience in the advertising industry. His most recent community service has been serving as chairman of the Mineola Pool and Recreation Board. He has also served as a volunteer for Partnership for Drug Free America and for numerous Corpus Christi School Parents' Club activities and fund-raisers.

Monaco said he is not running for trustee to get into politics but rather "to continue the path of positive change." Monaco also said he is running to protect the quality of life of residents of Mineola and to be a part of the village's renaissance.

While Monaco has been associated with the New Line Party since Mayor Martins and supporters formed the party two years ago, Teemsma is a newcomer to the party. However, the candidate is well known in the community as a 25-year resident who served for 37 years as an officer for the Nassau County Police Department Third Precinct.

Teesma's community service experience includes volunteering for the Mineola Athletic Association and for numerous village activities, including the Mustang Run, village Halloween party, village tree lighting and fund-raisers for the ambulance corps and Project Children. Teemsma is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as the president of Council #2502 for he past three years.

Teemsma's daughter Erin Park nominated her father, calling him an honest and determined leader who always led by example. The nomination was seconded by Kevin Reilly, who is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and who ran against Mayor Martins for trustee two years ago, and Deputy Mayor Werther.

In accepting the nomination, Teemsma recalled Mineola fondly as a great place to live work and play. "I might not have all the answers, but I'm certainly going to ask all the right questions," he said, accepting the party's nomination.

The New Line Party hopes to continue the momentum it gained since its inception. Two years ago, Mayor Martins, the party's first candidate, was elected as a trustee. The following year, Martins was elected mayor, Werther was elected trustee and Franzini was appointed trustee. With Franzini not running for re-election, the party hopes this year's candidates will continue the party's success. Their opposition includes Fairgrieve, who ran successfully twice while being contested both times, and Cusato, who has volunteered numerous hours to the community over the years.

With four strong candidates, the election this March should prove to be an interesting one.