The Village of Westbury Action Party (symbol 'A') announced today that incumbents Deputy Mayor/Trustee Paul H. Echausse, Trustee Peter I. Cavallaro and Village Justice Thomas F. Liotti will be running for re-election on March 18.

"The Action Party is pleased to announce that each of the incumbent officials has decided to seek re-election under the Action Party banner," said Action Party spokesperson Steven Corte. "Trustees Echausse and Cavallaro have worked hard to maintain the quality of life here in the village, to maintain a stable tax base and low village property taxes. Village Justice Liotti has become a state-renowned jurist, and is truly one of the best local judges around. We are proud of their service to the village, and we anticipate that each of them will be re-elected in March."

Deputy Mayor/Trustee Paul H. Echausse has served as a trustee for six terms since first being elected in 1979. He has served by appointment by the mayor as deputy mayor since 1981. Prior to his service on the board, Echausse served on the Village Zoning Board of Appeals from 1972 through 1979. He currently serves as the village's commissioner of Public Safety, responsible for all aspects of public safety issues in the village and is the village's liaison with the Third Precinct of the Nassau County Police Department. Echausse and his wife, Joan, raised eight children in Westbury.

"On March 18, the residents of the village will exercise one of the most important rights that they have - the right to vote. I have always considered the position of village trustee to be one of the most important of elected offices because of its close proximity to the people, my neighbors," Echausse stated. "The village board has taken clear-cut positions, been sensitive to the needs and concerns of the residents and has carefully balanced the issues of all the various groups and areas of the village. We have performed our duties with dedication and diligence. I would be most appreciative of the support that will enable me to continue to address the important tasks ahead."

Cavallaro is seeking his second term as trustee, having first been elected in 1998. He currently serves as the village's commissioner of Audit and Claims as well as commissioner of Personnel. Cavallaro is the board's liaison to the building department. Prior to his election to the Village of Westbury's Board of Trustees, Cavallaro served as a member of the village's Planning Board for approximately 12 years from 1986 through 1998.

Cavallaro, an attorney in private practice and involved in numerous community and civic organizations, is a past commissioner of the Town of North Hempstead's Housing Authority and Landmark Preservation Commission. He is a lifelong resident of Westbury and an active lifetime member of St. Brigid's Parish and has coached his children in CYO basketball and tee-ball. Cavallaro has also served on the boards of a number of charitable organizations, including the Education and Assistance Corporation and, currently, as a member of the Board of Trustees (Audit and Finance Committee Chair) of the Henry Viscardi School for the Disabled. He is also a member of numerous professional and legal organizations, including the Nassau County and American Bar Associations. Cavallaro and his wife, Diane, have served as Cub Scout Den Leaders in Pack 305. They have two children.

"I have been privileged to serve as a village trustee and I am proud that we have accomplished a great deal in the past four years," said Cavallaro. "Most significant are the continuing emphasis of the mayor and the board on code enforcement, the downtown improvement initiatives that are ongoing and the completion of a new master plan for the village that will assist us in controlling and planning future development in the village. I am also proud of the record that we have established of maintaining a stable tax base and efficiently providing to our residents the needed village services. I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of the village."

Thomas Liotti was first elected village justice in 1991, succeeding the Honorable John Molloy who had served for over 41 years. Liotti was re-elected without opposition in 1995 and 1999, and has served for a total of 12 years.

Liotti has been a practicing attorney, concentrating in litigation, trials and appeals, for over 25 years with offices in Garden City. He has successfully argued cases in the First, Second and Third Departments as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Liotti's cases have been cited with favor by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Liotti served as chairman of the Village Code Review Commission from 1981 to 1990; He and his wife, Wendy, served as co-chairs of the village's Golden Jubilee Journal, co-directors of the Frog Hollow Frolics for three consecutive years and was president of the Westbury/Carle Place/Old Westbury Chapter of Kiwanis Club International. Liotti is a present and past member of numerous legal and professional associations and organizations. In 2001, he was appointed as a member of the Town of North Hempstead Councilmanic District Commission where he supported the establishment of six councilmanic districts for the town.

Liotti has published two books, including Practice Guide for Village, Town and District Courts (West Group 1995-present), which is considered the bible for the lower courts and used by judges throughout the state. He has also published over 20 judicial decisions in the New York Law Journal and Miscellaneous Reports - New York's official state reporter, over 100 law review and legal articles and a pamphlet for pro se (people without lawyers) litigants. The pamphlet, which was adopted by New York's chief judge Judith Kaye for use in all of New York's trial courts, explains the procedures for trials in lower courts. Under Liotti, the Westbury Village Justice Court has become a model for trial courts throughout the State. The Liottis have three children.

"I look forward to continuing to serve my community and setting an example for other judges to follow," Justice Liotti stated. "Our court is consumer-oriented and we are very proactive and vigilant in our protection of individual rights. I am very proud of our court and the community, which has allowed me to achieve these accomplishments. The community has honored me by their support and I will continue to strive to make them proud of me."

According to Corte, nominating petitions for the Action Party candidates will be circulated in the coming weeks. "We hope that the residents of the village will see fit to support our candidates by signing their petitions and voting for them on March 18t," he said.