By Jacquie Rath
Grillo says he is committed to ensuring positive development in Rockville Centre and the village's continued vitality. He explained that he has grown frustrated with the recent actions of some current elected officials. "A deep emotional political chasm currently exists among our elected officials," Grillo said. "Our current officials' inability to interact both professionally and civilly toward one another has been counterproductive to the administration of local government, and consequently detrimental to our village as a whole. Someone needs to bridge the gap between the two sides, and I can be that person."
Grillo said he wants to bring Rockville Centre back to a time of good, functional government that will benefit families as well as the community as a whole. He is in favor of strong controls on development, including zoning changes to limit oversized homes and ending the purchase of multiple lots to build even more homes. In 1999 he mobilized area residents and successfully defeated a bid by a local developer to build an oversized home on the property next to his home at the time on Muirfield Road.
"Emilio is an extremely talented and dedicated resident of our village," said Mayor Eugene Murray. "Everyone who meets him is impressed with him. As a village prosecutor, he has shown his commitment to the residents of the village."
"Not only does he bring with him a wealth of experience, but he brings a level-headed approach to government," said Deputy Mayor Wayne Lipton. "He has a new, independent perspective to village government."
Grillo has pledged to continue the Home Rule tradition of keeping taxes down and improving village services. In addition, he said, he is dedicated to enhancing the beauty of the village's residential community by maintaining a strict architectural review process. "The families of Rockville Centre have come to appreciate and value the unique character of our community, and I will protect the residential character of Rockville Centre," he said.
Grillo, who is originally from West Haven, Conn., has lived in Rockville Centre since 1999. He is a cum laude graduate of the University of Connecticut, and earned a law degree from St. John's University School of Law. He served as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn office for six years, and became a senior homicide trial attorney. A partner in the Manhattan office of Ahmuty, Demers & McManus, he focuses on civil and criminal defense litigation.
Grillo and his wife, Christine, have been married for 11 years, and have three children, Sophia, 8, Isabelle, 6, and Emilio Jr., 3. Christine is a deputy bureau chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau of the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office. The Grillos live on Stratford Road, and their children attend Hewitt Elementary School and Jacob's Ladder Nursery School. They are members of St. Agnes Parish, and their daughters are active in the Rockville Centre Soccer Club, Girl Scouts and the Leggz Ltd. Dance School.
