Nahmias, Popack battle for Lawrence village mayoralty

Lawrence could see new faces on the village board with the June 18 election.

The mayor’s position is open, along with two trustee seats and that of the village justice. Trustees Aaron Parnes and Tammy Roz will remain on the board.

Deputy Mayor Paris Popack and Samuel Nahmias are vying for a two-year term as mayor.

Popack, running as a Unity Party candidate, has been a trustee since 2020. She said that, if elected, she would prioritize communication with residents, fiscal responsibility, preventing a tax hike, responsible development, safety, security, transparency and improving village infrastructure, including the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club, village roads and Zion Park.

“Because of my dedication, work ethic,” Popack wrote in an email when asked what makes her a good candidate. “My track record has been strong in everything until now as a Park Commissioner, President of Lawrence Civic Association and as Trustee and Deputy Mayor, because my feelings for the village, and nothing but the village, are strong.”

She added that she also wanted to complete the lighting repairs along Route 878, also known as the Nassau Expressway, in coordination with the state.

Nahmias, representing the United Lawrence Party, is the chairman of the Nassau County Bridge Authority. His campaign is focused on “responsible governance” and “community well-being,” he said.

Nahmias’ goal, he said, is to achieve a balanced village budget through fiscal responsibility, repair streetlights and plan a cycle of road repairs.

He said he planned to minimize what he called “frivolous litigation,” and foster better relations between residents and village government. He added that he would promote sustainable development, prioritizing residents’ quality of life and prevent over development.

His strengths as a candidate, Nahmias said, are his business and economic expertise, his problem-solving skills, his government experience, his results-driven leadership and his vision for Lawrence.

“I understand the unique needs and challenges facing Lawrence, and I am prepared to leverage my experience and expertise to address them head-on,” he wrote in an email. “I am committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and transparency to ensure Lawrence thrives.”

Aaron Felder, representing the United Lawrence Party, is running unopposed for a trustee seat, a two-year term. He serves on the Lawrence Board of Zoning appeals, and was previously a volunteer firefighter and an emergency medical technician for the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department. His father, Simon Felder, is a former mayor, deputy mayor and trustee.

“Your needs have to always be the primary focus in determining how we shape policy and direct the spending of taxpayer dollars in all matters,” Aaron Felder wrote in an email, referring to village residents.

United Lawrence Party member Steven Gottesman will also run unopposed for trustee. He grew up in Far Rockaway, and then lived in Cedarhurst before moving to Lawrence in 1995.

“I feel that I’m at a time in my life where it’s time to step back and give back to a place that gave me so much,” Gottesman, an accountant who has worked in finance since 1991, said.

Village Justice Gary Mandel is running unopposed for another four-year term. He has been in the position since 2018, when he completed the term of his predecessor, Donald Buchalter, who retired and died later that year.

“I hope the people will see my track record, integrity and honesty and I will earn their vote,” said Mandel, who was a prosecutor in Lawrence village court for 15 years.

Voting on June 18 will take place at the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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