Once again Great Neck faces a local election more impactful on our cherished institutions (schools, libraries, parks) than any national, state or county election. Last week we attended the debate for the trustee position currently held by Scott Sontag. Three of the four candidates showed up and, in my opinion, did very well. The fourth candidate, Chayim Mahgerefth was not available.

After the debate, I called a current trustee who is not up for election and commented that all three candidates did well. Can you imagine my reaction when she said, “It may not matter as the ‘frontrunner’ wasn’t there.”

Apparently, Chayim is following the “playbook” of Emil Hakimi, who ran for the GN School Board with the knowledge that he had about 3,000 votes.As one columnist for the paper said, “Nowadays these campaigns are not waged in the public arena, but in the basement of certain houses of worship which violates the church/ state laws and jeopardizes the tax free status accorded to houses of worship.”

We don’t know much about this candidate. Apparently, while at Yeshiva University, the group association he was president of abstained when it came to recognizing an LGBTQ+ group that was applying for official status.

Is candidate Mahgerefth an ardent book banner?

Friends, neighbors, residents, it is important you vote Oct. 30. Check the library website for your polling place location. Too many of you/us are content if the book we wanted is available, if the Steppingstone concert is great or walking the Lazy River. The Park district has a $20 million budget. The Library  has a $10-$12 million budget.

Have a say in choosing the custodians of our precious institutions.

Steven M. Walk

Great Neck

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