North Bellmore PTA council to host candidates' forum

With a special Board of Education election on the horizon, the North Bellmore Coordinating Council of PTAs is inviting residents to meet the candidates one more time.

The parent organization is sponsoring a candidates’ forum at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 24, at Newbridge Road Elementary School, at 1601 Newbridge Road. Members said the event would give residents a chance to address JoAnn DeLauter and Frank LaMagra, who tied in their race for one Board of Education seat on May 21 and will now face off in a special election on June 25.

The North Bellmore District takes in part of North Merrick.

The council held its first forum with all five candidates for two board seats on May 14. While Peter Mayo bested Greg Bashaw and incumbent Rosemarie Corless in one race, DeLauter, the board’s president, and LaMagra both garnered 799 votes. District administrators explained that, in accordance with state law, the pair must participate in a runoff election to decide who will take the last board seat next year.

Jo-Ann Erhard, the council president, said organizers are encouraging residents to attend the second “Meet the Candidates” night because they hope people will get the information they need to make informed decisions. “The council thinks it is important to give the community an opportunity to meet and/or ask questions of the candidates if they wish,” she said.

Polls will open one day after the forum. Voters may cast their ballots at Newbridge Road Elementary School from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.