Village of Westbury Elections March 15 -- Action Party and current Westbury Village Mayor Ernest Strada is seeking re-election to his seventh consecutive term. His running mates are current board trustees Joan Boes and Charles Russell. Challenging Strada are Deputy Mayor Paul Echausse and political newcomer Joe Masiello, who is running on the Friends of Westbury Party with trustee candidates Marie Montelbano and Mark Edwards. All terms are four years, effective April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2009. For profiles on the candidates for board trustee, see below. FULL STORY

Republicans, Democrats to Put Forth Candidates for 15th A.D. Seat -- Governor George E. Pataki announced last week that he has nominated Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara (15th A.D.) to serve a seven-year term as commissioner of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board. FULL STORY

A record crowd of runners variously estimated at between 250 and 300 runners crowed into the Runner's Edge in Farmingdale on Sunday morning, Feb. 20 for the annual Greater Long Island Running Club/Runner's Edge Winter Fun Run. (Hey, we ran out of the complimentary gloves that go to each participant - Runner's Edge proprietor Bob Cook ordered 300 pairs! - and wiped out the large pile of bagels, doughnuts, etc. provided at the finish line much like General Sherman's army marching through Georgia, with nary a crumb left over!) FULL STORY