Mayor Michael Koblenz of East Hills and the other three Unity Party candidates filed what was said to be the largest number of petitions ever filed by a slate in East Hills history. The four candidates received 659 names on petitions to place the mayor and his running mates on the ballot. Four positions will be filed on March 18, mayor, two trustees and the village justice. The position being contested is village justice, with the incumbent, Arthur Goldberg being challenged by Leonard J. Pugatch.

According to Anne Croce, civic, town and community leaders and one of the four co-chairs, this filing "broke every record for the largest number of signatures ever filed in East Hills' history." Croce has resided in the village for 47 years.

"We feel the overwhelming support is the result of widespread satisfaction in East Hills over the direction and achievements by the Koblenz administration," Croce said. "It is a clear statement of appreciation to the mayor and his board of trustees for capturing the 50+acre Air National Guard property and then paying it off within six months by the sale of village-owned property. "It is a fitting tribute after East Hills was named this past year as one of the nine best quality communities in New York State by Governor Pataki. Finally, everyone in our village has a way to say thank you to the mayor and his fellow leaders for their superb work."

The Unity Party 2003 campaign slogan is "Re-elect the Koblenz Team - for all they've done, for all they'll do!" the team combines the talents of four candidates who collectively have contributed well over 50 years of service to East Hills. "We are fortunate and elated that our mayor, trustees and village justice have offered to serve East Hills," said Larry Aaronson, former mayor of the village and co-chair of the Unity Party. "Their leadership and commitment is necessary for our community's continued success."

Two other positions of trustees are uncontested. Incumbent Gary Leventhal with an eight-year record of dedicated service as trustee, fireman and emergency medical technician in Roslyn, and Peter Zuckerman, former law intern to Supreme Court Justice Patricia Collins and a village prosecutor in East Hills, will run with Mayor Koblenz.

The mayor also gained statewide recognition two years ago when he won the New York Conference of Mayor's Award for Best Local Government Achievement in New York State by a village. Because of his record of accomplishments, he was recently appointed to the Executive Board of the Nassau County Village Officials Association. At the time of his appointment, Mayor Michael Peragine commented, "Mayor Koblenz is known far and wide for his success in gaining the Roslyn Air National Guard property for the Village of East Hills. Because of his intricate knowledge of the federal and state process and his political and legal know-how, he will be an enviable addition to our board." Even the motto "East Hills, the Championship Community" was originated by the mayor to promote the village.

The election will be held on Tuesday, March 18, at the East Hills Village Hall from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. All residents who are registered to vote in the general election are eligible to vote in village elections.