The election season is officially under way as the Mineola Hometown Party nominated Linda Fairgrieve and Paul Cusato to run for re-election this March. Thus far, Fairgrieve and Cusato are the first to announce their candidacy, although the other incumbent trustee, Tom Kennedy, is also expected to run for re-election.

This March, there are three seats up for election on the village board. Fairgrieve and Cusato are both running for their seats, a two-year term, while Kennedy will be running for a one-year term. He was appointed to fill the seat that was occupied by John DaVanzo, who retired from the board.

Ever since the Mineola police department referendum, the board has agreed on every important issue, such as a decision to reassess village properties. However, Fairgrieve and Cusato both feel the village should keep in place a two-party system. "We must maintain the two-party system in Mineola with experienced and proven, independent thinking trustees," said Fairgrieve.

The village board is comprised of Mayor Jack M. Martins, Deputy Mayor Larry Werther, and Kennedy of the New Line Party and Fairgrieve and Cusato of the Hometown Party.

"Paul and I aren't there to be obstructionists, but to do what's best for Mineola," Fairgrieve said.

Of the entire board, Fairgrieve, who also serves as chairperson of the Mineola Mustang Run Committee, has been on the board the longest. She was first elected in 2000 and ran for re-election successfully in 2002, 2004 and 2006. She ran for mayor last year but was defeated by Mayor Martins.

Cusato, a longtime member of the Mineola Fire Department and one of the founding members of the Mineola High School Alumni Foundation, was first elected to the board in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. "Over the past four years, I've tried to do my best. I have listened. I have respected the rights and opinions of others and have acted and voted in a way that I felt was best for the village," he said.

Another possible candidate that could emerge is longtime Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps officer Patrick Tobin, who is considering running for trustee. Tobin would have to run under his own party line since he was not nominated by the Hometown Party.

- Joe Rizza