White returns as trustee

Former deputy mayor takes seat on village board

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William “Bill” White Jr. was sworn in to take over the seat of former Freeport village Trustee Debra Mulé on Jan. 22. White said he had no plans to run for re-election at the end of his term next year.
William “Bill” White Jr. was sworn in to take over the seat of former Freeport village Trustee Debra Mulé on Jan. 22. White said he had no plans to run for re-election at the end of his term next year.
Nadya Nataly/Herald

In 2014, William “Bill” White Jr., a village trustee and Freeport’s deputy mayor, announced that he would not seek re-election. Earlier this month, however, when former Trustee Debra Mulé took her seat on the Nassau County Legislature, representing the 5th District, she left an empty seat on the village board. On Monday night, Mayor Robert Kennedy and the board appointed White to fill it.

Last month, Kennedy said that he and the trustees would review their options for replacing Mulé. The board was mum about how the seat would be filled, but at the start of Monday’s meeting, Kennedy swore White in.

“I was delightfully surprised to see Mr. White joining the board of trustees again,” Kennedy said. “I’m sure he will be a benefit to the village and the residents.”

White is a native Freeporter who has served the community for more than 30 years. He was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of trustees in 1998, and was elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

Three years later, when he announced he would not run for re-election, he endorsed Mulé, who had spent nine years on the Board of Education, and she was elected to the seat.

“Mrs. Mulé succeeded me, and now I’m succeeding her,” White said with a chuckle.

“I’m humbled and surprised to be here,” he added. “This board is so impressive, and I hope that I can help and assist in a meaningful way.”

Board terms run for four years, and this would have been the last year of Mule’s term. White said he planned to serve no longer than the remainder of the term.

“Since I left the board of trustees, I’ve been very impressed with what the administration has continued to do,” he said. “The mayor has done a great job of stabilizing taxes, and he has increased the tax base. I hope that I can contribute with my knowledge to move Freeport forward.”