Murray, Sepe, Howard win in Rockville Centre village election

Rockville Centre residents elected Francis X. Murray to succeed Mayor Mary Bossart, ending her tenure after a single four-year term. Murray, of the RVC United Party, garnered 3,060 votes, 62 percent, to 1,705 for Bossart, of the Concerned Citizens Party, in unofficial results released Tuesday night by the village. Michael Leboff, a 20-year-old college junior who ran as an independent candidate for mayor, received 142 of the 4,907 votes cast for mayor.

Two trustee seats were up for grabs as well in an at-large election. Michael Sepe of RVC United captured one, with 3,060 votes, and Nancy Howard, also of RVC United, took the second seat, with 2,927. They defeated one-term incumbent David Krasula and Michelle Sewell of Concerned Citizens, who received 1,755 and 1,670 votes respectively.

With the wins by the three RVC United candidates, the Concerned Citizens Party loses its 4 to 1 majority on the village board. Murray, Howard and Sepe will take seats beside Concerned Citizens Trustee Ed Oppenheimer and independent Kevin Glynn, both of whose terms run through 2013.

“It was a clean campaign,” said Murray, a native of Rockville Centre who is the son of former Mayor Eugene Murray. “We’re going to take Rockville Centre in a new direction over the next four years, with ticket writing, road and ballfield improvements, and zoning code as our priorities.”

“We’re going to make village government friendly and more growth-oriented,” said Sepe.“We’re grateful for Mayor Bossart and her service over the last four years.”

“I’d like to thank the voters who came out. Everyone on both sides handled themselves with dignity,” said Howard, who, like Sepe, is making her first foray into village politics.

William J. Croutier Jr., who ran unopposed for a second term as village justice, was elected with 3,356 votes.

RVC United’s campaign themes centered on unifying the village, restoring its infrastructure, revitalizing downtown and abolishing “aggressive” ticketing, while Concerned Citizens candidates focused on fiscal responsibility and the need to provide villagers with core services.

Voters also rejected a Fire Department bond referendum that would have authorized a $21 million capital project to rebuild two village firehouses. The referendum called for the renovation and redevelopment of facilities at 58 N. Centre Ave. and 103 Maple Ave., which department officials said have become dilapidated.

The vote was 2,147 against the referendum, with 678 in favor of it.

Murray, Howard and Sepe will each be inducted into office during a ceremony that will be held at Village Hall on Monday, July 4.

"I would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the campaign," said Concerned Citizens Party candidate Michelle Sewell in a statement released to the Herald. "I wish Michael [Sepe], Nancy [Howard] and Francis [Murray] well as they begin the difficult work of governing our Village."

Tom Steinert contributed to this story. Questions about it? RVCeditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.