Dan Plaut and Myrna Zisman run unopposed in Cedarhurst

Cedarhurst village Trustees Myrna Zisman and Dan Plaut are both running unopposed for the four-year terms on March 18. Which is not unusual in the village as the 2016 election with Zisman and former longtime Trustee Ronald Lanzilotta defeating challengers Daniel Burg and Yoel Goldfeder was Cedarhurst’s first contested trustee race in 26 years.

Before 2016, the last contested Cedarhurst election was in 1989, when appointed Trustee Harry Taubenfeld defeated Jerome Levenberg for the balance of the unexpired term of Julius Schneider, who stepped down because of his health. Levenberg became village attorney in 1998. He retired from that position in 2016.

Zisman is running for her fourth full term, as she joined the board in 2006. Plaut is running for his first full term after replacing Lanzilotta, who stepped down in December. 

Trustees receive an annual stipend of $15,000. Their responsibilities include budgeting, creating village ordinances and policies, determining land use, and serving as liaisons to a variety of municipal entities, such as the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department and the Nassau County Police Department.

Plaut has lived in Cedarhurst for 23 years and had served on the village’s Architectural Review Board since 2015. He noted how he wants to keep focusing on public safety if re-elected. “Serving as the co-chair of security at Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence is something that I put great effort in,” he said. “Focusing on the safety and security of our village is something I will continue to emphasize as I’ve recently met with Police Commissioner Pat Ryder to further discuss security.”

Before joining the board, Zisman worked as a state committeewoman for the 41st Assembly District in Brooklyn, co-founded the Women’s Pro Israel National Political Action Committee, and in 1980 was appointed to the Citizens Committee for the Democratic National Convention by then-New York City Mayor Ed Koch. During her first year as trustee, Zisman also served on the village’s zoning board.

“I am seeking another term because I love this village,” she said. “It’s a privilege for me to be involved with this village family. I’m planning on serving as long as I can continue to.”

Though not being challenged, Zisman offered up two reasons to vote for her and Plaut. “I think the reason we work so well together is because we all get along,” she said. “Most village boards aren’t like that. We all understand that here for a common cause of making the village a better place.”

Village Mayor Benjamin Weinstock noted that both Zisman and Plaut bring positive contributions to the board. “Myrna’s previous background in politics helps bring a great perspective to the board on issues such as zoning,” Weinstock said. “Dan already has a fire in his belly. His insights on business and security have been great.”

Weinstock added that he believes the future of Cedarhurst is bright with the candidates. “I believe that our village is fortunate to have a great quality of candidates in Dan and Myrna running for re-election,” he said. “I’m confident that both of them will continue to steer the future of our village in the right direction.”

Voting is from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 in Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Ave. in Cedarhurst.