Don’t forget to vote for mayor and two trustees!! But who to vote for??

Mayor- one mayoral position, one candidate, no decision, no problem! Thank you to Mr. Tanner for your service as a trustee, and for volunteering to be our mayor.

Village trustees – Two open trustee seats, three candidates, decision time!!

It is important to know that in this election, just because people run together, or as “party,” it doesn’t mean that if you vote for one person, you have to vote for all.

The trustee candidates are not running for designated seats (like in school board elections). The two trustee candidates that get the most votes win the election, otherwise known as at-large voting.

You can decide and choose the two people who you think will do the best job, and vote for who you want. Thank you to all the candidates for volunteering to run for these important positions.

So, the good news is this means that you can vote for both Bonnie Parente and Caroline De Benedittis!!

There is no question that Bonnie and Caroline are the most logical choices and the best people for the job! They are by far the two most-qualified candidates and the two most passionate.

These two amazing women are two of the most dedicated, hardworking people we know. It is without a doubt that they will best represent all our residents, new and old, and serve our village with pride and distinction.

They have both lived here long enough, been involved in various aspects of our village and know so many different people, that they clearly understand and appreciate its issues. Between them they have children ranging in ages nine to 19, giving them a substantial interest in the future of our village.

Bonnie and Caroline are highly intelligent, experienced, informed, trustworthy, fiscally responsible and successful women, not to mention thoughtful and kind.

They are both are brave, outspoken, hardworking and innovative.

While both women are strong and decisive, they are both open minded, and encourage and welcome collaboration. They both know how to think outside the box and finish everything they start with outstanding results. We all know from seeing them both all over town that each has a proven track record and share the same extremely high level of dedication, and enthusiasm for community service in all areas, including village business, scouts, school and church events, as well as assisting their friends and neighbors, all done with the love and support of their wonderful families.

While sharing the love for and feeling of responsibility of community service, they each bring different, but equally important qualities, as well as different professional and personal experience to the table. They will not only work fabulously together, and complement each other as trustees, but they will be an excellent addition to the remaining trustees, Michael Braito and John Ferro.

Bonnie and Caroline will also provide a much needed balance to the board by adding two women to a male-dominated board.

Caroline and Bonnie are proven excellent leaders and role models. Knowing them both as well as we do, we know they will treat it as an honor and privilege for them to serve our community as village trustees, and it will be our great fortune and pleasure to have them be able to do that!

Please join us, and so many others, in voting for Caroline De Benedittis and Bonnie Parente to serve as trustees for our wonderful Village of East Williston.

Patricia and Brian Golden

East Williston

My service to our village as trustee has provided me with a unique perspective of what qualities are necessary to be a good trustee.

This year, there are not one, but two vacant trustee seats, and fortunately, our village has two people whose service and experience demonstrate them to be trustees in the making. I am very honored that both Bobby Shannon and Bonnie Parente have agreed to join our team.

Bobby Shannon’s career in East Williston started as a paperboy delivering to homes along High Street and Bengeyfield Drive. Through his contracting company, Reality Roofing, and his many volunteer positions, he has continued serving our village personally and professionally. Bobby and his family, with the help of many residents of the Willistons founded the SunWise Campaign of the Rotary Club, dedicated to the memory of his late mother, Diana Shannon, who lost her life in a battle with skin cancer.

To date, the SunWise campaign has educated over 16,000 local children and their parents on the practice of sun-safe habits and avoiding the risk of skin cancer. This program has been a pure labor of love for the Shannon family and Bobby’s commitment and contagious enthusiasm to this cause demonstrate his unique ability to work tirelessly to get the job done. I am confident that Bobby will bring this same level of dedication to serving our Village as a trustee.

Bonnie Parente is the product of an environment where public service, hard work, and personal commitment were the most prized values instilled by her family. Bonnie is a local Girl Scout Leader who has been involved with scouting for nearly a decade. In addition, Bonnie already serves our Village as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and will bring her expertise in public sector human resources management to the Board of Trustees.

As a Village Trustee serving for the past 13 years, I know first-hand the effort involved in keeping our village the beautiful place we all call home. During my tenure as trustee, the community efforts of Bobby and Bonnie have not gone unnoticed and I would say they have participated in a lengthy and public interview process. It is without reservation or hesitation that I say their dedication, ability and proven record of running both large and small organizations makes them perfect candidates to serve our village as trustees.

Yes, both Bobby and Bonnie have finance degrees and law degrees, but more importantly, they have the proven ability to make sound judgments and work together in ways that will complement our board. They each bring very different skills and independent views combined with a readiness to share best-practices from their organizations that will benefit our Village. I urge you to please give us the honor of your support by voting for the three of us – David E. Tanner, Bobby Shannon, and Bonnie Parente – on March 15 at the Village Hall from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It has been my greatest honor to serve our village and hope that you will allow me the privilege of continuing to serve assisted by these two fine residents.

David E. Tanner

Candidate for mayor

Village of East Williston

The article on David Seidler winning the Oscar noted that he grew up in Great Neck but did not point out that his mother Doris Seidler was a long-time Great Neck resident until her death on October 31, 2010 at the age of 97.

Doris was a noted artist whose work has been exhibited and is in collections of major museums in the U.S. and in England.

No doubt her artistic temperament and accomplishments were positive influences on David’s career.

Doris had many friends in Great Neck and the metropolitan area. She was a compelling raconteur. Her intelligence, wit, and wonderful British manners will be missed by all who were privileged to know her.

Judith and Arthur Levine

Great Neck

The Village of Williston Park will hold elections on March 15, 2011. Village of Williston Partk Trustee Barbara Alagna is seeking election to complete the term to which Mayor Paul Ehrbar appointed her last year.

Barbara has years of village experience from 2000 to 2006 as secretary to the mayor and board of trustees as well as secretary to the zoning board of appeals.

Barbara is currently a valuable member of the village board. Her prior experience and knowledge has allowed Barbara to handle her trustee assignments and village business with confidence and enthusiasm.

Barbara looks forward to working with the board in the future serving you, the residents, of Williston Park.

Please join us in supporting Barbara Alagna and the Integrity Party by getting out the vote at the American Legion, 730 Willis Ave. between the hours of 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on March 15, 2011

Mary Ann and Jim McDermott

Rae and Tony Caramanica

Jill and Rocco Iannarelli

Joanne and Ritchie Ryan

Winnie and Ray Cross

Mary Ann and Steve Griffin

Susan and Xavier Fleming

Marilyn Wotruba

Katie and Carl Ruoff

Rich Buckley

Barbara Damon

Arlene and Jerry Umlauf

Rose and Gene McCarthy

Phyllis Renna

Sandy and Tom O’Donnell

Mary and George Cross

Barbara and Tom Malley

Beverly and Paul Baudo

Nancy and John Randall

Joan and Jim Markham

Carole Muldoon

Maureen and John Gistedt

Eileen and Joe Watts

Doreen and Paul Ehrbar

Carol John Hayes

Williston Park

Vote Shannon for Trustee by Kevin Papavero

Who would you call if you needed help in East Williston? For my wife Lori and I, the answer has always been Bobby Shannon. He seems to be the go-to person for many of us. The reason is because he is trustworthy, dependable and capable.

Last summer a horrible storm swept over East Williston in the middle of the work day. More than a dozen trees within a one-block radius of our home had been uprooted. Access to our cul-de-sac was blocked by three trees, and our sitter was nervous because our children were expected home from school at the same time.

The first person that we thought to reach-out to for help was Bobby. We called him to assess the situation. He was concerned enough to leave his office in Mineola, which was closer than our work in New York City, and climb his way through the trees to our property. Thankfully he did, because the fallen trees knocked-down the electrical service to our home and left the meter and main power lines across the doorway. Our entire property was laden with hidden dangers, and our sitter and youngest daughter were in the grips of it.

He took charge. He contacted LIPA, met my other children at the bus stop and led them to safety. He then brought a few men from his company, Reality Roofing, to the house with a chain saw to get a tree off the roof and make everything water- tight and safe. He also yellow-taped an area where a separate tree branch still hung in impending danger. I would like to note that tree work is not part of his usual business; this was the work of a concerned friend. Done without payment.

The supervisor for the insurance adjuster that visited my home told me how lucky I was to have a friend that took such immediate and effective action to stabilize and protect our home. He also mentioned that most contractors would tarp the entire roof in an attempt to get a bigger pay-out from the insurance company. Having met with Mr. Shannon they could attest to his honesty and integrity.

Thankfully he works nearby and is always ready to help. He is very involved with our village and knows the residents and the issues. He attends village meetings, is a member of the village planning board, and is active in most of our committees and volunteer organizations. As a business owner, he understands customer service and leadership.

Having a degree in banking and finance and being a New York attorney, he has the business and legal smarts to guide the village. As a volunteer, friend, sports coach, scout leader and lifetime parishioner of St. Aidan’s, we know and trust that he will serve our village well.

If you could interview all the candidates for trustee, you would know whom to trust to protect your home.

Please vote for Bobby Shannon and his running mate-Bonnie Parente for trustees and Dave Tanner for mayor, a very well prepared and skilled team.

Kevin Papavero

East Williston

Last April as the newly appointed mayor, one of my first official duties was my appointment of Trustee Beth Swenson-Dowd as associate justice.

To fill her position, Barbara Alagna was appointed. This year although usually not an election year, Barbara must run to complete the one year left in the four-year term.

Both Doreen and I have a long history with Barbara and can attest to Barbara’s competence, experience and knowledge, probably more than anyone who has written in support of her candidacy.

Barbara was recruited to work as secretary to the board when Doreen became mayor. Having worked with Barbara at Mercy Medical Center .she knew of her work ethic and efficiency. Barbara was the person Doreen wanted as part of her team.

After much persuasion Barbara accepted the challenge and for six years worked as secretary to the board and board of appeals. The knowledge she gained and the contributions she made to facilitate the many projects during that time, prepared her for the position she now holds as trustee.

My decision to appoint Barbara as I started my transition in the village was well thought out.

I was looking for someone who had knowledge of village government, a person who had a strong work ethic, and someone who understood what residents appreciate and expect. A person whom I could trust, someone dedicated to help move the village in a positive direction and someone who would serve the residents in the village to the best of their ability.

Barbara was that person and has proven to be an asset. She has provided an independent, well thought out voice to our village board and is the candidate to help “Make a Difference” for you the residents of Williston Park.

Doreen and I have known Barbara for many years and are confident to ask for your support in helping her get elected.

We thank you for helping to get out the vote for Barbara Alagna on Tuesday, March 15, 2011.

Voting will take place at the American Legion on Willis Avenue from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Doreen and Paul Ehrbar

Williston Park

I have lived in East Williston for over 42 years. My wife has been by my side in East Williston since 1991. We both love East Williston and have demonstrated that love by our actions throughout the years.

We have both had the pleasure of knowing the DeBenedittis family for over 11 years. They are an awesome family and their three great kids are their report cards. The letter that their son Eric sent to the Williston Times demonstrates that he has been a daily observer of his mom in action.

Caroline DeBenedittis is the definition of East Williston. I always thought that if we had a recreation center, it would be named after Caroline.  I always bust her chops about being the energizer bunny and when will she slow down to human speed. Along with her business background which all the candidates have, what Caroline brings is a “great mom and volunteer degree” from Big Heart University and a Ph.D. in making East Williston kids enjoy  their youth while it lasts.  Sure, we need a board that has a lot of  business savvy experts ready to do battle with all of the issues that surround us every year. But what we really need is at least one voice whose top priority is not the business world but who is totally on target with the No. 1 commodity in our village – kids and community.

Caroline does all the things that we all do as parents for the right reasons – our kids. I can list the “above and beyond” attention grabbers (there are many) that she aptly handled over the past 10 years, but it’s not all about sound bites. She is an asset and deserves a chance to continue her great work making the village that nice little place in Nassau County that people flock to for many reasons.

Is she fiscally responsible???

If the village gave her a budget of zero dollars to entertain the kids, she would keep those kids happy with a bag of rubber bands and some ingenuity. Spending wisely and having to stretch our village dollars is what she does best. You cannot put a price tag on what she can do and what she has already done for our village.

I have total respect for all of the candidates that are willing to dedicate their free time to make East Williston the best place on earth. Thank you for making me proud of East Williston. I wish we could elect all of the candidates.

That being said, Caroline needs to be embraced, appreciated and elected, not viewed as a dark horse running against the community party.

By her actions, she has demonstrated who she is, time and time again over the years!

By electing Caroline DeBenedittis for Trustee, our village and all it’s residents will be the winners!!!

Kevin Quinn

East Williston

Larry Penner continues to write to weekly newspapers moaning and kvetching about practically everything under the sun. But that he would now take offense at fully funding the sainted Helen Keller Institute, a facility located in our congressional district, is a bridge too far.

I hope he never has the experience of having a grandchild or loved one who cannot see or speak or hear, and then reads in the Great Neck News a letter from some wretch devoid of humanity making the argument, as he just did, that “times are too tough” for government to be more helpful, and “isn’t that what charity is for?” and bragging that he makes $25 contributions to causes he likes, and the congressman should just send his personal check instead of fighting to help those who are the most vulnerable among us.

Sorry about this Mr. Penner, but I will continue the do all I can to bring our community’s tax dollars back to help our neighbors and our neighborhoods.

You have every right to gripe ad nauseam in this blessed land with all of the rights and privileges afforded you. You’re free to take pot shots at all those who are actually out there trying, and I’m not troubled at being one of your intended victims this week.

But the deaf and blind and speechless? I’m sure they’ll understand that times are tough and their country can’t come through, but maybe you’ll be moved to put a few more nickels in the cup, kind Sir.

Gary Ackerman

Member of Congress

“Member items” and “earmarks” are two different things.

Member items (sometimes utilized by state Senators and state Assembly Members – they represent us in Albany) are specifically designated projects that individual legislators can fund at their discretion for programs in their districts that they deem worthy.

Earmarks (sometimes “were'” utilized by Congressmembers and Senators – they represent us in Washington) are projects identified by our representatives, and recommended to committees that appropriate funds to specific federal agencies.

If the subcommittee agrees, and the full committee agrees, they vote to set aside, or earmark some of the agency’s funds for that project. If the bill passes, it goes to the full house, which votes on it. The same project also has to pass the Senate in the same way. If it does, the president may sign it into law.

It’s not easy to do. It’s competitive. Absent earmarks, you figure out how you can get Washington to fund what you consider your community’s priority. Or even that your community itself is a priority.

Gary Ackerman

Member of Congress

We, the Board of Education, are pleased to announce that the EWSD (East Williston School District) has settled negotiations with its teachers unit in a four-year contract that includes a freeze in wages in the first year of the contract and averages a 1.1 percent wage increase over the four-year term of the contract.

All auxiliary salaries and stipends have been frozen for two years and employees will continue to contribute 20 percent to their health insurance.

The members of the Board of Education believe that an outstanding school system both insures the highest quality of education for our children and respects the ability of the constituency to support it.

In any successful negotiation process the outcome has to be a mutually acceptable solution for both parties.

The goal of the district was to significantly reduce costs, and with this contract we have made a giant step forward in containing cost over the next four years.

Our teachers union realized the district’s challenges and responded to our challenges in order to preserve the educational integrity of our programs. We appreciate the union’s acceptance of a salary freeze in the 2011/2012 school year, as well as their willingness to accept periodic freezes in automatic incremental steps throughout the term of the contract.

You need no reminder that education in New York State is at a truly perilous crossroad. Financial support from Albany continues to dwindle while unfunded mandates continue to be put on the back of the residents of our district. Educators are being accused by the governor of New York and the county executive of Nassau County of being inefficient, ineffective, overpaid, over benefited and simply greedy.

All the while our teachers stood up to the challenge, ignored the rhetoric and continued to work with our children, attended and participated in special events and kept the channels of communication open during the process. It is time that New York State and Nassau County stop pointing fingers, but rather begin working together to protect our children’s future.

Nothing is more important to this board than protecting the education of the youngsters we are sworn to serve. We know that our teachers share in that goal and in the end that is our common bond.

Mark Kamberg, president

Bob Freier, vice president

Robert Fallarino, trustee

David Keefe, trustee

Barbara Slone, trustee

I will keep this short and sweet. Dedicated , experienced and committed candidates are the cornerstone of local government. Barbara Alagna has it all.

A vote for Barbara as trustee in Williston Park is a vote in the future of our Village.

Xavier Fleming

Williston Park

This is with regard to the candidacy of Ms. Marion Green for the Great Neck Plaza trustee election to be held on March 15.

Marion has been known to us for almost 16 years as an active member of the board of managers of the Cameo Plaza Condominium.

She is a person of high moral character and decision making.

If elected, she will prove herself to be an asset to the community.

We highly recommend her.

James and Nurit Kadoori

Great Neck