Incumbent Atlantic Beach Mayor Mahler challenged

A former Atlantic Beach village trustee who last served on the board a decade ago is trying to return to local government with a run for mayor. Edward A Radburn, who lost his re-election bid for trustee in 2000, has filed papers to challenge longtime incumbent Mayor Stephen Mahler in the June 15 election.

Radburn filed to run for the Good Government Party, while Mahler is seeking re-election on the Atlantic Beach Integrity ticket. Also on the ticket with Mahler, running uncontested, are incumbent Trustees Edward Sullivan and Linda Baessler.

"I don't mind a contested race," said Mahler, who has been mayor of the village since 1996.

Radburn served as a trustee for two terms, from 1996 to 2000, and Mahler attributes Radburn’s defeat in 2000 to his voting against a resolution for a new village Fire and Rescue Squad headquarters. Radburn said that two of his sons are volunteer firefighters, and the only reason he voted no was a lack of information.

A 20-year resident of Atlantic Beach, Radburn said he was approached by many residents to run for mayor because of their frustration with the village's operations. Two issues he wants to address, if elected, are preventing major beach club expansions and setting aside more money for beautification. Radburn also said that he would aim to play a more active role in trying to move Atlantic Beach into the Long Beach school district because of many residents' unhappiness with the Lawrence Public Schools.

"It is time for a fresh face and fresh ideas," said Radburn. "It is time for a change at the top."

Mahler, who is seeking his eighth term, pointed to a multitude of changes he has helped bring to Atlantic Beach in his 16 years as mayor, including creating local zoning in 2002, renovating Village Hall and instituting an emergency notification system. Mahler said he would like to continue fixing village roads, an ongoing project for the past few years.

"I think I have spearheaded efforts to make the community what it is today," said Mahler, who sits on the executive board of the Nassau County Village Officials Association and has served as the organization's president. "I would like to keep the village at a very high level."

Mahler ran uncontested in 2008. The last time he faced a challenge was in 2006, when he defeated challenger Victoria Libbey Simao.

The village election will be held on June 15, with voting from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Village Hall.

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