The position of mayor holds a tremendous amount of responsibility, even though it is technically a part-time job — and the salary reflects that. In the second of a series of issues, the topic was proposed by Freedom Party candidate Richard Meagher. Last week’s topic, salary caps for village employees, was posed by Pride Party candidate Francis Lenahan. “My suggestion to my opponent is that he join me in pledging to not take any salary as mayor in the upcoming term of office from April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2015,” said Meagher. more

East Rockaway Village Pride Party President Ed Zangrillo is calling on Deputy Mayor Dr. Richard Meagher, the Freedom Party’s mayoral candidate in the March election, to apologize to his opponent, Village Pride Party candidate Francis Lenahan, and the voters of East Rockaway for what Zangrillo said is a comparison of Lenahan to Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels, that Meagher used in a campaign flier, and is demanding that Meagher take himself off the ballot and resign as deputy mayor. more

In one of its first orders of business in the new legislative session, the State Senate passed the Job Creation and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2011 on Jan. 19. Supporters of the three-part plan say it will encourage the creation of new private-sector jobs with a tax credit, ensure fiscal responsibility with the enactment of a 2 percent state spending cap and require a two-thirds “super-majority” vote to increase taxes if the Assembly, and then voters, approve a constitutional amendment. more

Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook – 14th A.D.) was appointed by Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb to serve as the ranking member on the Guidance and Ethics Committee. Curran, a Lynbrook resident, will also serve on the Aging, Banks, Labor and Veterans’ Affairs committees. more

The Herald will be running a series of issue-based stories from now until the village election on March 15. As the campaigns begin to heat up, the candidates are outspoken on issues that are important to them and to their constituents. From what we hear, a public debate may be in the works, too. The Pride Party’s candidates include Francis Lenahan, who is running for mayor; Stanley Lombaro and Ed Corrado, who are running for trustees seats. The Freedom Party consisted of Richard Meagher, who is running for mayor; and Bobby Klose and Harry Levitt, who are eying the two open trustee seats. The mayoral seat is currently vacant since the sudden death of Ed Sieban last July. Meagher is currently the village’s deputy mayor. more

As an attorney, Tom Atkinson is no stranger to having to make tough decisions. And as a new village board trustee, he plans to focus his energy on issues that are close to his heart and to be a voice for Lynbrook residents. Atkinson, 40, grew up in the village and attended Our Lady Of Peace School, where he met his wife of 12 years, Jennifer. The couple have two young sons, Tommy and Sean. more

Though it may be a new year, the village’s new mayor, William Hendrick, recognizes the challenges Lynbrook faces moving forward in what he calls “tough economic times.” Hendrick, who … more

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, a longtime advocate of gun control, spoke out regarding the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others in Arizona last Saturday. Shooting suspect Jared Loughner appeared in Federal court in Phoenix on Tuesday. more

Sen. Dean Skelos assumed the two most powerful posts in the State Senate — majority leader and president pro tem — last week. more

Nassau Municipal Employees Local 882 President John Shepherd and East Rockaway Village DPW Unit President Frank Coppola recently announced that CSEA has endorsed mayoral candidate Francis T. Lenahan, Jr. as well as village trustee candidates Ed Corrado and Stanley Lombardo in the 2011 election set for March 15. All three are running on the Village Pride Party line. more