Meet the candidates

The Northwest Freeport Civic Association held a “meet the candidates” forum to formally introduce the five candidates running for the village Board of Trustees. This year’s village election has two open seats — Deputy Mayor Jorge Martinez’s seat and Trustee William White’s seat. White took a seat on the board after former village trustee Debra Mulé stepped down to serve as Nassau County District 5 County Legislator January 2018. White will not be running this year.
The Civic Association’s intent was to provide a fair opportunity for candidates to share their goals, while educating and informing the community of the election and candidates.
Incumbent Martinez has served on the board since 2007. During his speech, he highlighted the Board’s achievements. Martinez said he, alongside fellow trustees, have worked diligently to launch a five year plan that would support the police and fire departments, as well as the redevelopment of North Main Street, a part of Freeport overdue for revitalization.
“Freeport is much stronger economically and much more secure than we its been a long time,” Martinez said. “Let’s keep this village moving forward the way it should.”
Martinez also mentioned his support for running mate, Chris Squeri, a local businessman and marina owner whose been living in Freeport since 2001.

Squeri has served on the Board of Directors of the Freeport Community Development Agency. Through his role as vice chair of the CDA, he shared that he’s been able to save the village money by cutting 50 percent of the CDA’s budget without affecting the quality of services and support the organization provides the community.
“We have to do what’s best for all of us at our community,” Squeri said. “I’m here to listen to what needs to be done.”
The Freeport Board of Education president and retired detective of the Freeport Police Department, Michael Pomerio is also running. Pomerico is a longtime native of Freeport who says it’s his commitment to his community that keeps him involved with the schools and the village.
Pomerico’s term on the Board of Education will end in June. Becoming trustee, he said meant being a stronger liaison and partner with the village’s public schools.
“When our schools improve, our village improves,” Pomerico said. “We all benefit.”
The South Freeport Civic Association president, and local chiropractor with a practice on Smith Street in Freeport, Joseph Gambino, is also running for the board. Gambino said as trustee he’d want to work with the Board to discuss fair bidding, increase community engagement through tourism, and ensure the board meetings and information is provided in Spanish.
“I love Freeport,” Gambino said. “It’s very diverse with a lot of great people and I want to work for you, the community.”
Financial services professional from Lynbrook, Jennifer Winters is a newcomer to politics. She moved to Freeport over a year ago and attributed the current board of trustees’ accomplishments in not raising taxes for the last six years and her nonprofit and finances experiences as motivation to run for office.
Winters said she’d like bringing more non tax revenues to the village and find solutions to zombie homes and vacant properties and reduce the spending on independent contractors.
“I’m you. I’m a tax payer, too,” Winters said. “With my background and expertise in the financial industry I am going to be able to help keep Freeport moving forward.”
The Village Board of Trustee election is March 19.