Who is the newest Lynbrook trustee?

Michael Habert has always called Lynbrook home. It was where he was born, as are his two children, and that’s why as a new village trustee, he wants to help keep Lynbrook the best it can be.

“I care about this town,” he said. “It’s part of me.”

Habert, sworn in on July 17, added that by becoming a trustee, he’s able to give back to the town that raised him. Habert is no stranger to service. He was a police officer with the NYPD in Brooklyn for 26 years, the last 14 as a homicide detective. Working directly with families — often during highly sensitive times — helped Habert develop a knack for listening to people, and furthered his drive to represent and protect their interests.

“Those are the people that you interact with the most,” Habert said of his police experience. “You're not dealing with the governor or the president — you're dealing with your town people, your village people.”

Habert is bringing those skills to make sure the people of Lynbrook have a voice in the village’s direction.

“My neighbors, my family are here, lifelong friends own businesses here,” he said. “So I hear them, I talk to them, and I can bring those things — what their concerns are, and my experiences — to the board, to the table and work with them.”

Habert said public safety is a huge priority of his — and that goes beyond crime. To him, public safety means education on issues like the dangers of drug use and driving under the influence. Habert wants to promote joint efforts between families, police, fire departments, and schools to protect young people.

“Keeping Lynbrook a safe place to live for our children and our families is always a top priority,” he said.

Habert is deeply invested in the future of Lynbrook. After he and his wife Kerrie were married in 2001, they bought the house Habert was raised in. Their kids James, 20 and Mia, 19 went to Our Lady of Peace, the same school Habert and his eight siblings went to. He hopes his future grandkids will be raised in Lynbrook as well. For his family to continue to enjoy the Lynbrook he knows so well, Habert wants to build a future that will last.

“I’d like to see them continue with the infrastructure, the parks,” he said.

He added that Lynbrook has already made great strides in this way with the improvements at Greis Park, the new turf field, and the many updates at the Rec Center like the pool, which, he adds, used to be a basketball court when he was growing up.

The local business community and its success is also a priority for Habert.

“One of the big things is underneath the railroad, the empty storefronts, you’d want those filled,” Habert said. “Kind of like what they did with Philips Plaza — bring nice and good businesses in there, businesses that fit into the fabric of the community. And sustainable businesses so we’re not constantly turning those over from one empty store to the next.”

Most importantly, Habert’s goal is to make sure that the people know they can come to him and let their voices, thoughts and concerns heard.

“I want people to know I’m approachable, and I’ll listen, and I’ll bring those concerns,” Habert said. “Any decisions I’m involved in, I will always have the best interest of the community.”