Running for reelection

With Island Park’s village elections around the corner on March 16, and no seats being contested, candidates are getting ready for an easy race.

This year, the Mayor’s seat is up for reelection, as are two trustee seats and one village justice seat. Mayor Jim Ruzicka will be seeking a second term this year.

Ruzicka has lived in Island Park for almost his entire life. He was born in Forest Hills, Queens in October 1945, and his family moved to Island Park when he was just seven. He has lived there ever since, with the exception of a two-year tour of duty aboard the USS Lawrence from 1966 to 1968. He worked for the Long Island Lighting Company, now National Grid, for 35 years before retiring as a supervisor. Ruzicka has three children -— James Jr., Richard, and Renee — as well as six grandchildren, all of whom live in Island Park.

Ruzicka said his long history with the village is one of the reasons he decided to run for a second term as mayor.

“I have been involved in this village for longer then I can remember,” Ruzicka said in an e-mail. “Swimming in the end of the summer races, being a lifeguard, coaching little league, [being a] member of the fire department, chief of the department. Trustee and Mayor. It’s been an enjoyable ride.

“I love this community and I would like to continue to try to make a difference,” he added.

Ruzicka’s other reason for wanting to run for a second term is so he can continue to make “positive contributions” to the community. Over the last four years, Ruzicka has overseen the beautification of Long Beach Road north of Sagamore Road, the start of Neighborhood Watch programs, the resurfacing of Deal Road, the installation of security cameras in the downtown area and additional summer recreation activities.

Ruzicka considers the passage of Local Law 1, which many residents know as the rental permit law, his biggest accomplishment as mayor. The law, put into place in 2008, is slowly but surely removing illegal apartments from the village.

Heading into his second term, Ruzicka would like to begin revitalization of the downtown area. "The biggest issue facing this village now and in the future has to be the condition of our infrastructure,” said Ruzicka. “Many of our roads and parking lots are in need of major resurfacing. Our fire house and Village Hall need extensive work."

But Ruzicka said that work cannot be done by the village alone. "We need state and federal aid,” he continued. ”We face a huge challenge in trying to obtain the necessary funding.”

It is what Ruzicka has learned from his past four years as mayor, and his previous experience as a trustee, that he believes makes him a good candidate for office.

“I've learned that you can't please everyone,” Ruzicka said, “but a least try to listen and keep an open mind and be true to what you believe in.”

Comments about this story? ACostello@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 207.