Twelve candidates vying for City Council

Candidates vying for 12 seats on the City Council took part in a two-hour forum at Glen Cove High School on Oct. 25, hosted and moderated by the local League of Women Voters.
The forum gave incumbents and first-time candidates the opportunity to address questions submitted by anonymous audience members on issues such as revising the city’s downtown and the 2024 budget. The six Republicans and six Democrats were given 90 seconds each to answer questions.
In their opening statements, each candidate offered personal anecdotes on who they are and how they can best serve the city.
First term incumbent Republican Jack Mancusi served in the city’s Police Department for 25 years. He says it was the most fulfilling career he could have imagined. Before taking office as a councilman he made three commitments: to “un-ban” fishing at Morgan’s Island; to hold corporations accountable during the city’s management of its master plan; and to put Glen Cove on a path towards fiscal responsibility. He says during his time with the administration, he helped to over balance the 2023 to 2024 budget.
“As is usually the case, God wasn’t wrong,” Mancusi said. “I planned to follow my father into business, but God had other plans for me, and he turned me into a policeman.”

Roni Jenkins believes her career in finance marketing and experience as president of the district’s PTA make her a well-rounded candidate for the City Council. As president, the Republican advocated for new playgrounds and new computers for the district. During the coronavirus pandemic, she was recognized by the Herald as a hometown hero. Presently, she’s a member of the Glen Cove finance and business development committees. The longtime Glen Cove resident is also a co-founder of the women’s lifestyle website “The Three Tomatoes.”
“I’m a tireless lifelong volunteer,” Jenkins said. “As a lifelong resident, my marketing and finance background is a valuable asset, and my knowledge and skills can help promote local businesses.”
Theresa Pergola said that even though she’s not originally from Glen Cove, the city captured her heart as a child. The Queens native grew up appreciating the city’s welcoming community. Her family made frequent trips to the North Shore to visit the area’s parks and beaches, and knew Glen Cove was the place she wanted to grow her family. Having older children when she moved to the city gave her an opportunity to devote her time to causes that were important to her. During her time in Glen Cove she’s volunteered with Nosh, AHRC Nassau and has attended the city’s beach cleanups. The Democrat says that her career in Human Resources and as someone new to the community, she would offer a fresh set of eyes for innovative solutions others may look. If elected, she will prioritize community engagement and help to foster successful businesses, as well as prioritizing cleaner parks and beaches.
“Successful government must be accessible to those in the community,” Pergola said. “I’ll focus on ways to meet voters where they’re at and offer more opportunities for engagement.”
Third-term incumbent Marsha Silverman, the first openly gay member of the Glen Cove City Council, credits her 30 years of experience in financial services to recognizing the need for a state audit of the city’s Industrial Development Agency, which included a refund over $1.6 million to the city and its school district. Silverman voted against piercing the tax gap in 2019 and 2020 to keep taxes low and to address safety concerns. She helped enact the OSHA 30 law to keep workers safe on construction sites. Silverman said she initially got involved in public service to bring transparency and accountability, equal treatment and improve the community’s access to City Hall.
“I’m running for reelection to build upon this foundation and to continue representing you,” Silverman said. “A vote for me is a vote you because I’m willing to work on your behalf.”