By Mary Malloy
"What can I say about people who are exactly what this village needs?" said ERVPP Vice President Kitty Quinn. "We are pleased and proud to have them as candidates. With them on the board, and under the guidance of [Mayor] Ed Sieban, this village has grown by leaps and bounds."
Romano, an East Rockaway resident for more than 40 years, is seeking his third term on the board. He has helped increase the budget for road improvement, and was instrumental in the initiation and completion of the waterfront revitalization program. He also helped bring events like the annual Stars & Stripes Festival and the Ocktoberfest to the community.
Romano helped enact building code height restrictions, legislation governing intrusive lighting, and the authorization of the 9/11 memorial. He is also the liaison to the East Rockaway Fire Department, the Senior Citizen Center, the Beautification Committee and the Department of Public Works. "As village trustee, I would like to have the opportunity to continue the wonderful projects which we have initiated," Romano said. "My objective ... is to continue the many wonderful programs and events which we have in our village. I also look forward to continue [working] with our businesses in an effort to prosper in today's economic situation." He added that he will continue to support the village's energy- and cost-saving programs, and would help update village-owned buildings so they conform with East Rockaway's "Go Green" initiatives.
Villacci, who was elected a trustee in 2005, serves as the liaison to the Department of Public Works, the Ethics Board, the Library Board, the Tree Advisory Committee, the village's houses of worship, the Special Events Committee and the CATV Committee. She is a member of the Recodification and Negotiations committees, and recently began her term as a vice president of the Village Foundation of East Rockaway.
Villacci has lived in East Rockaway since 2000, and runs a solo law practice in Rockville Centre specializing in elder law, trusts and estates, guardianships and real estate. She was recently named one of Molloy College's 50 most distinguished alumni at the college's 50th anniversary celebration. She has been a cantor at St. Raymond's Church for 26 years, a member of the church's choir for more than 20 years and a religious education teacher for five years. She is also a member of the Gulotta Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Italy.
"I'm grateful that my dad was still alive when I was elected as a village official, because he believed that I was destined to be part of the East Rockaway family," Villacci said. "I have enjoyed immensely working with various committees and departments of the village on various projects, and [on] new laws that have made life in East Rockaway that much more enjoyable and precious. I look forward to continuing the work that our current administration has begun, and especially to continue my work with the residents."
Siegel has served as village justice since 2004, when he was appointed to finish Justice Ed Cook's term after Cook resigned to run for trustee. Siegel was re-elected in 2005, and is now running for his second full term. His caseload at his Garden City law office includes medical malpractice, negligence actions and criminal defense. He holds court in East Rockaway on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, dealing mostly with traffic and building code violations as well as misdemeanors.
Siegel said he is most proud of his youth internship program, which he started two years ago, in which students from junior high school through college-age learn the workings of the local judiciary system. "It's the most meaningful work I have ever done," Siegel said. "This work is greatly gratifying."
"Bruno Romano and Irene Villacci are an integral part of the village board, and have contributed tremendously to the positive changes that have taken place in our village," said Sieban. "It is essential that they be re-elected to the village board to continue their work on behalf of the residents."
Of Siegel, Sieban said, "For the past four years, Village Justice Steven Siegel has meted out justice in a manner that preserves our small-town way of life. The re-election of Justice Siegel will ensure that our village court continues to operate in a strong but equitable manner."
The three candidates are currently running unopposed. Village elections will take place on March 18.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202
