Endorsement

Local candidates all run unopposed in East Rockaway, Lynbrook

Posted

Residents who vote in the village elections on March 18 will see some familiar — and a couple of not-so-familiar — names on the ballot for mayor and trustee in both Lynbrook and East Rockaway.

In Lynbrook, Mayor William Hendrick is seeking re-election. He has said he believes there’s still more for him to do as leader of the village, and he works closely with the Chamber of Commerce to entice and welcome new businesses into the village. He and his running mates, Deputy Mayor Alan Beach and Tom Atkinson, are all quite visible in the community, and pride themselves in their ability to work as a team. All three candidates are members of the New Vision Party in Lynbrook (as are Trustees Mike Hawxhurst and Hillary Becker, whose seats are not up).

In East Rockaway, Mayor Francis Lenahan recently announced his decision not to seek re-election. Instead, the Village Pride Party is supporting longtime trustee and Deputy Mayor Bruno Romano and two newcomers to the local political arena, Gordon Fox and Rich Bilello. All have Lenahan’s endorsement.

The board, including sitting trustees, will comprise four Village Pride members. Because of Romano’s run for mayor, there will be an empty trustee seat. The new mayor can appoint someone of his choosing, and a special election for that seat will be held in a year.

When village candidates run unopposed, we can only hope this means residents are satisfied with their community’s leadership. Whatever the case, we encourage people to vote if they believe these candidates should be in charge of village operations. The polls will be open next Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Lynbrook, and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in East Rockaway.