The Elmont Community Coalition Council hosted a Meet the Candidates Night on Wednesday, May 5 at which all the candidates for the upcoming Elmont Elementary School Board and Elmont Library Board were represented. As president of the Elmont Community Coalition Council, I made some opening remarks, and then turned the meeting over to our chosen moderator Paul Muscarella, who, I believe, did an excellent job. At the close of the evening, Muscarella turned the meeting back over to me for some impromptu closing comments. During those comments, I incidentally quoted from memory a line stated by one of the candidates who spoke. In so doing, I am told, it appeared that I was giving a tacit endorsement of one candidate over another. That was my mistake and I duly apologize for its occurrence. It must be noted that as president of the council, I was not authorized to publicly endorse any candidate and any appearance that I was doing so was not approved by council vote and was unintentional on my part.

The Elmont Community Coalition Council was proud to present our first Meet the Candidates Night on May 5. But for this unintended misstep, which I accept full responsibility for creating, all who attended the event gave it high marks. I am both satisfied that the council did its very best to offer a fair forum for our candidate guests and the Elmont community at large. Any tarnish on the event should not reflect on the council, but properly rests on my own inexperience in managing such occasions.

Richard A. Mastrocola - President

The Elmont Community Coalition Council