Three fighting for two Island Park trustee seats

Laura Risolo Hassett, a write-in Independent candidate, is challenging incumbents Irene Naudus and Steve D’Esposito for two seats on the Island Park Board of Trustees.

Naudus and D’Esposito are running for their second and fifth full terms, respectively. They are both members of the Unity Party.

Village elections will be held on March 20.

Question: What do you think is the most important issue currently facing the Village of Island Park and what is your plan of action for it?

Naudus and D’Esposito: We recognize the need to preserve and protect property values and the quality of life in the Village of Island Park.

We led the charge to create the first-ever 5-Year Village of Island park Financial Plan and lay out the village’s fiscal priorities and anticipated needs. Thanks to our fiscal management, Standard & Poor’s, one of Wall Street’s top credit-rating agencies, raised the village bond rating from BBB to A-minus, our highest rating. This was during a difficult financial time — rising health insurance costs and state mandated pension cost increases have municipalities in a pinch.

We worked with Mayor James Ruzicka and the Village Board to identify illegal dwellings and implemented specific policies to remove them. So far, we’ve eliminated nearly 50 illegal apartments. We will continue to proactively enforce the Renters Law, the bill we helped author, in order to uphold every homeowner’s quality of life.

Hassett: The most pressing issue the Village of Island Park is facing is the settlement of the HUD lawsuit. This lawsuit has been outstanding for the past 25 years, therefore we are unable to borrow money to maintain and improve our infrastructure. The current village board is working collectively to settle this lawsuit. If I were elected to represent the village as a trustee, I would continue with the current board’s efforts to settle this lawsuit so our community may move forward in a positive direction. Once the HUD lawsuit is resolved, the village can secure money to beautify our community.

Question: As Tropical Storm Irene showed, flooding is a serious concern for village residents. What would you do to help this problem, both now and in the future.