Trustees run unopposed in Hewlett villages

Hewlett Harbor Trustee and Deputy Mayor Len Oppenheimer is running for re-election for his fourth two-year term. He said, he values a strong community where residents determine how they want to shape the place they call home.

Oppenheimer, 45, moved to Hewlett Harbor in 1995. “This village is a fantastic place to raise a family,” he said. “My family and I have deep roots in the area as my grandmother graduated from what was then Woodmere High School.”

As the appointed commissioner, he fought to win grants to clean up Willow Pond and restore its natural condition. Though it’s still a work in progress, Oppenheimer said he is committed to see the work through to the end, regardless of his position or title.

Rebuilding homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy is of the upmost importance to Oppenheimer. “Making sure the village does its part to oversee the life safety issues and quality of life issues that come with so much new construction will be difficult,” he said. “It’s a balance between helping people rebuild quickly and rebuilding in a way that is fair and reasonable to those who already live in the community.”

Keeping up with aging infrastructure is also at the forefront. “Many of our services have reached their useful life expectancy and with the demands of more modern services, today’s homes require us to be thinking ahead while controlling costs and making smart moves for the future,” Oppenheimer said. “We don’t want to open a road for repaving unless we are also considering upgrading electric, water and gas services at the same time. This makes the most economical sense.”

Oppenheimer said Hewlett Harbor residents should vote for him only if they believe he has the best interest of the community in mind. “I can promise you I will work hard at successful outcomes,” he said. “I am excited by solving problems and passionate about Hewlett Harbor as a premiere community in which to live. It was my dream to one day live here and I plan on taking an active role now that my dream is a reality.”

Michael Yohai, who is also running for trustee in the unopposed election, was unable to be reached for comment.