The Hometown Party was the winner of the village election as Trustee Linda Fairgrieve was re-elected for another two years and Paul Cusato was elected, giving the Hometown Party two members on the board of trustees.

In the heated elected, Fairgrieve and Cusato faced New Line Party candidates Jay Monaco and Bob Teemsma. For the past year, the New Line Party has held the majority on the board. With a victory by either candidate, the New Line Party would have maintained the majority on the board. However, the Hometown Party swept both seats with Cusato collecting 1,403 votes, Fairgrieve collecting 1,347 votes, Teemsma collecting 1,146 votes and Monaco collecting 1,075 votes.

Cusato is well known throughout the community, having served as president of the Mineola Athletic Association, in the Mineola Fire Department for 37 years and co-founder of the Mineola High School Alumni Foundation.

"To live in the village your whole life and now being a trustee is really great," he said. "So many people know me and they rely on me to do a good job and I think they can feel confident that I'm going to do a good job."

Fairgrieve, who was first elected in 2000, will serve her third consecutive term on the board. "It feels great," she said about being re-elected. "I really have to thank the residents and everyone who volunteered."

After a heated campaign during which the Hometown Party criticized Mineola Mayor Jack Martins, the board now has to work together. Discussions on the 2004-2005 fiscal year budget have already begun.

"The mayor and I had our differences, but I think I can work with the mayor and I think we can move the village [forward]," Cusato said.

Cusato said he is hoping the mayor will give him the liaison assignments to the MAA and school district as well as the 100th anniversary committee since the village will be celebrating its 100th year of being incorporated in 2006.

One member of the board of trustees who knows Cusato very well is Trustee Lou Santosus, who has served with Cusato in the fire department. "I'm very happy that both Paul and Linda won," he said. "Paul is a nice guy. I've known him over 30 years. He's a giving guy. He's been involved in everything," he said.

An official announcement concerning a merger between the Hometown Party and Village Party has not been made. However, village party members Santosus and former mayor John P. Colbert supported Fairgrieve and Cusato. Also, during the past year on the board, Santosus and Fairgrieve tended to support each other on votes.

For the past year, the New Line Party has held the majority on the board. However, on April 7 when Cusato gets sworn in along with Fairgrieve, the Hometown Party and Village Party will have three of the five seats on the board. "I don't think it's a question of power. I think it's a question of people making wise decisions. I don't believe it's a power issue at all," Santosus said.