Write-in pushes Hewlett Harbor incumbent

Posted

Incumbent Village of Hewlett Harbor Trustee Tom Cohen was running unopposed for his second full two-year term since being appointed to the board in 2009, and was expecting to have no trouble being re-elected on June 17.
However, due to what appeared to be a late coordinated write-in campaign, Barry Beshkin received 84 votes. Cohen won the election with 94 votes, but was disheartened with the manner he was challenged. “I was disappointed,” Cohen said. ‘I am aware of the democratic process but if you have significant issues to debate, I would be more than happy to debate; doing it this way undermines the democratic process.”
According to Cohen, the write-in campaign to unseat him was spearheaded by sitting Trustee Michael Yohai. Cohen said that he and Yohai have clashed on issues pertaining to enforcement of village ordinances regarding residential construction.
Yohai, who is also on the board of the Seawane Club, the largest property owner in the village, did not return calls for comment.
Less than one square mile in size, Hewlett Harbor is a village of 440 homes with a population of 1,271.

Mayor Mark Weiss who also ran unchallenged received 170 votes. Weiss said he had no comment on the write-in vote. But he said he was pleased that the community cast their ballots and his re-election validates the village’s work. “Residents came out, the votes were calculated that’s a democracy,” Weiss said. “My election. It speaks to the fact that we are responsive to the needs of our residents. I am happy and proud of that and the trustees are prepared to move on.”

Incumbent Trustee Kenneth Kornblau, akso unopposed, garnered 158 votes to gain re-election.

Other village results
George Pappas unseated longtime incumbent Stephen Mahler for mayor, 391-325, in Atlantic Beach, see story on page 5. Trustees Edward Sullivan (440) and Linda Baessler (417) were unopposed for the two-year terms.
Lawrence Mayor Martin Oliner got 254 votes and trustees C. Simon Felder and Irving Langer collected 239 and 238, respectively. No challengers. All terms two years.
There were also uncontested elections in Hewlett Bay Park where Mayor Steve Kaufman (17), trustees Joel Schneider (16) and Gail Rubel (17), and Village Justice Stephanie Kaufman (16) retained their posts. Hewlett Neck Mayor Ross Epstein (23) and trustees Steven Hochberg (23) and Bertram Kalisher (20) were re-elected. Woodsburgh incumbent Trustee Carl Payne (13) and newcomer Barry Platnick (14) ran unopposed. All terms are two years.