Thursday, October 1, 2026
Deputy Mayor Nick Pinto and Trustee George Williams have been re-elected to Sea Cliff’s village board following uncontested races. Christine Abbenda Hughes, who also ran uncontested, was elected to the position of village justice. One hundred seventy-seven people turned out to vote on March 18.
Pinto has served as a village trustee for six years and deputy mayor for the last three. He returns to the position for another two years after receiving 164 votes from the community.
He praised Williams, Trustees Mark Sobel and James Versocki and Mayor Elena Villafane, saying he enjoys working with them on the board.
“I’m really glad to be on the board for two more years and to continue with some of the work that we’re doing, because we’re smack dab in the middle, and I really want to see this stuff through,” he said. “And I think that once we’re done, it’s going to make a big impact on Sea Cliff.”
Willaims, who served as liaison to the village library during his first term as a trustee, received 152 votes. He said he is “delighted” to have been elected to serve another two years and echoed Pinto’s excitement to keep moving ventures forward.
“It’s a very collaborative board,” Williams said. “We get along well. We are free to express our opinions.”
This election marked Abbenda Hughes’ first run for public office. After receiving 168 votes, she will replace current Village Justice Robin Maynard, who did not run for re-election.
Abbenda Hughes has been an attorney for more than 30 years, with experience in family court, criminal court and jury trials in federal court. She currently works as court attorney at Nassau County Family Court.
“(I’m) looking forward to serving the people of Sea Cliff,” Abbenda Hughes said, “making sure there’s compliance with the village code and everything, and treating everyone fairly.”
Villafane said that Sea Cliff has been “fortunate” to have Maynard serve as village justice and that she believes Abbenda Hughes will continue to improve and modernize the court.
“I really look forward,” she said, “to seeing Christine’s wisdom being brought forward.”
Both Abbenda Hughes and Villafane made note of the 177-voter turnout in the uncontested election, expressing satisfaction that people still chose to vote. Abbenda Hughes described villagers’ show of support as “important.” Villafane also praised the trustees.
“It was gratifying to have so many people come out and vote in an uncontested election,” she said. “It’s a validation of all the work that we’re doing, and I look forward to another productive year with my incredible, hardworking, ever committed board.”
