Civic activist-turned-Democratic candidate Bonnie Eisler, a Woodbury resident, kicked off her campaign for Oyster Bay Town Board last month at the Woodbury Jewish Center.

Eisler, making her first foray into the political arena, addressed an enthusiastic crowd about the need for fiscal responsibility not only at the county level, but the town level as well.

Eisler emphasized several of the town's key issues, including the $30 million budget deficit, and the need to preserve open space.

She expressed the need for Oyster Bay residents to have their voices heard at Town Hall. Eisler reminded the crowd that the current Town Board, including Town Supervisor John Venditto, is comprised entirely of Republicans. She said that voters should restore the checks and balances of Town Hall to ensure that taxpayers' interests, and not special interests, come first.

The entire team of Oyster Bay Democratic candidates was in attendance, as were many prominent local leaders, including Legislator Judy Jacobs, the Legislature's minority leader, and Larry Aaronson, vice chairman of the Nassau County Democrats.

Jacobs and Aaronson both exhorted the crowd to take action this Election Day by voting for those who will bring much-needed change to the town and county governments. Former Oyster Bay Supervisor Lew Yevoli was also present to show his support for Eisler and the Democratic team.

Eisler continued her campaign with an appearance at a fund raiser for Democratic Town Board candidate Tony Macagnone on Aug. 29, held at the Oyster Bay home of Nassau County Labor Vice Chair Peggy Olstein.

Eisler, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, with an MBA from Northeastern University, has 10 years of financial management experience with a Fortune 500 company. She is president of the Hunting Hill Civic Association, and a founding director of the United Civic Associations of North Oyster Bay, Inc. Eisler lives in Woodbury with her husband Cliff and her two children.