By JUDY RATTNER
Three candidates - incumbent Jeanne Mulry and would-be newcomers to the village board - Kevin Glynn and Ed Oppenheimer - are vying for the two open seats on the village board. And two candidates - Kevin McDonough and Mindy Roman - are seeking election as village justice, to fill the seat occupied by Judge Frank Yannelli who announced in January that he would retire from the village court after over 40 years of service.
Village Trustee Andrew Karamouzis, after one four-year term on the board and an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2007, is not seeking re-election and is throwing his support behind Kevin Glynn.
In a written statement, Karamouzis said, "After considerable thought, I decided not to seek re-election to the Board of Trustees this year primarily because of personal and family circumstances. I have two beautiful young children and I owe them much more of my time and attention over the next few years. While public service is noble and gratifying, I didn't think that it was fair to put my family through another election. In recent years, the campaigns have tended to get ugly with smears and false accusations, but such tactics do nothing to serve the best interests of the village and its residents and only discourage qualified individuals from serving.
"Rockville Centre faces many challenging issues and problems and requires a qualified individual who can make a difference. Kevin Glynn is just such a person. Kevin, a lifelong resident of Rockville Centre and an experienced trial lawyer, would be a great addition to the village board. Many members of the Residents' Voice Party, including myself, encouraged Kevin to run for the village board and heartily endorse his candidacy. Kevin brings a fresh perspective, common sense, independence and integrity, all valuable qualities that we need on the village board at this critical juncture.
"As a resident of this wonderful village, I will continue to remain interested and active in village affairs and make a positive contribution in any meaningful way that I can."
Mulry, who ran on the Residents' Voice slate in the last election with Karamouzis, says she's now a independent candidate. She explained that "The Sunshine Party," under which her name will appear on the ballot, is not really a party, but is simply the name for the independent nominating group for petitions to get on the ballot, a designation required by New York law.
Ed Oppenheimer and Mindy Roman are Concerned Citizens candidates, the party that fielded Mayor Mary Bossart, Deputy Mayor Chuck Joyce and Trustee Dave Krasula .
Both Glynn and McDonough also announced independent candidacies, with Glynn nominated by a group called "Common Sense" and McDonough nominated by a group calling itself the "Judicial Party."
A candidates forum, moderated by a representative from the League of Women Voters, is tentatively scheduled for the evening of June 2 at the Sandel Senior Center, 50 S. Park Ave.
Comments about this story? RVCeditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
