By Karenlyn Barone
The Lynbrook/East Rockaway Democratic Club hosted a candidates forum on Feb. 17 at Atria Assisted Living in Lynbrook. It featured the candidates for Lynbrook's two open trustee seats and two of the four candidates from East Rockaway, who are also vying for two vacancies in that village election. The forum was well attended, and gave the candidates a chance to make an impression on potential voters.
The candidates were given three questions prior to the forum and allotted three minutes to answer each one. They were also given five minutes for closing statements. All sounded well prepared.
Lynbrook Independent Party incumbent Morrey Forman is running for a third term as village trustee. Richard Clifford is on the Independent Party ticket with Forman, the result of the party's deciding not to nominate its previous candidate, Trustee Kevin Kelly.
That choice, in part, led Board of Education Vice President David Penso to run for trustee. To that end, Penso has established the Reform Party. He is running alone on that ticket. The two seats will go to the two top vote-getters.
East Rockaway's Unity Party has nominated newcomers Morgan Williams-Avila and Jack Patrick Tobin. They hope to fill the seats vacated by Village Trustee Ed Cook, who is not seeking re-election, and incumbent Bruno Romano, who is running on the East Rockaway Pride Party slate with newcomer Irene Villacci. Cook, a former village justice, has secured a position with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, which will make it impossible for him to serve another term.
William Geier, a former Lynbrook mayor and the current Nassau County Legislature clerk, hosted the forum. As it began, the Democratic Club's first vice president, Sean Strife, reminded the candidates that elections can get "tense and personal." "You may have profound differences, but we all exist together ... and everyone wants the best for the village," he said.
Forman was the first to address the question why he would be the best choice for village trustee. "Lynbrook has been very good to me, and I feel responsible to be very good to it," he said. "My life has centered on public service, and there is plenty more to do to make Lynbrook a strong and prosperous community for our residents and children."
Forman, who said his first job was shining shoes at age 12, has worked with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, the state Labor Department and the Governor's Office of Employee Relations as well as with troubled youth, and has been employed by both the state and federal governments. For the past 24 years he has been on the faculty of Long Island University.
"It is a difficult and wonderful job, because we see the fruits of our hard work," said Forman of being a village trustee. "It takes grit, guts and determination, and community participation. I welcome the opportunity to serve."
Clifford has been a Lynbrook resident for 20 years, and worked for the New York Police Department for 22 years. He told the audience that his track record with the department speaks for itself. "I can be trusted, and I am a willing trustee for the village," he said. "I have an extensive knowledge of community relations, crime prevention and gang awareness."
Clifford said while he was with the NYPD, he served as liaison for 30 schools and civic groups, and for 180,000 people in the Brooklyn area where he served. He said that his position gave him experience in budgeting and management, and that he was responsible for quality-of-life issues in that large community. "Quality of life is not just tree maintenance and snow removal," said Clifford.
Penso opened by telling residents that he hoped to gain their confidence in him and get their vote. "We're all in this together," he said. "There is a personal satisfaction in volunteering and serving the community where I live."
Penso noted his involvement with the Lynbrook Board of Education, where he has served since 1999, the past four years as vice-president; his participation in Excellence in Education; and his service with the Lynbrook Auxiliary Police for the past 30 years. "I am a good listener, and many residents feel I can reflect their voice," said Penso.
Questions and answers
Each candidate was asked what they thought were Lynbrook's three biggest problems. Forman said there were no "problems," but rather, "issues and concerns" that he would like to bring "coalitions of people together to discuss." He noted his commitment to "building bridges of understanding, not hostility and anger." Forman hopes to address housing for seniors and create the opportunity for young people to stay in the community. "They are the treasures of our community, and we must provide more affordable housing," he said. "I am committed to make Lynbrook an affordable, solid community."
Clifford also shrugged off the word "problem." "Let's get rid of the word 'problem,'" he said. "It's a negative word. Let's use 'challenge' instead." He said the village's top three "challenges" are the illegal and overuse of property, which he says is happening in Lynbrook and is "a burden for everyone." Clifford said he would like to work to reorganize, reclaim and redevelop the village's vacant and under-utilized land and provide affordable housing for all.
Penso said he is concerned about ensuring a safe and secure community for residents, and would encourage sensible development and work to lessen the tax burden. "The development of downtown is crucial, but there is no community involvement," he said. "I'm for the rational growth of the community and for filling the storefronts."
Gang-busters
On the subject of gang violence, each candidate had his own - similar - agenda. Forman said efforts should be coordinated on a national level, Clifford stressed the education of adults to recognize the signs, dangers and risks of gangs and encouraging them to talk to their children. Penso advocated zero tolerance for youth violence.
Department by department
The candidates were asked which village department - and which specific services - needed improvement. Penso offered no criticism of any particular village department. Rather, he said that communication between the village board and residents was an area that needed help. "There is a lot of hostility in the community," he said. "When people are not told what is going on, that makes them uncomfortable."
Clifford expressed a desire to bring more "positive thinkers into the loop" who would offer constructive ideas on how to make the village better. Forman took exception to Penso's remarks. "If there is a leadership problem, then why are the departments doing so well?" he asked. "The fire department, the recreation program, a vibrant downtown ... if those are problems of leadership, I'm proud of that."
Closing statements
Forman concluded by saying that much had been accomplished in Lynbrook, but that there was no singular brain on the board. "We need help and guidance," he said. "Let's plot the course and come together as a community to have a regional effort to bring us into the future."
Clifford said that as a trustee, he would be open to suggestions and criticism. "I will work to develop a positive partnership with the whole community," he said.
Penso said he has the right attitude and aptitude to be a trustee. "I am fully engaged and committed that Lynbrook maintain the small-community feeling," he said. "My door is always open for honest conversation."
E. Rock Unity candidates
Williams-Avila and Tobin were asked the same questions as the Lynbrook candidates. Williams-Avila said she has a "passion to improve my village, which is my home." She said her qualifications to serve as trustee include leadership roles in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the handling of budgets, which she does at her job for a freight-forwarding company.
"East Rockaway is suffering from total neglect," said Williams-Avila. "I know how to turn it around."
Tobin touted his management experience, and said the quality of life in East Rockaway "is at an all time low." "East Rockaway needs elected officials who make decisions for the good of East Rockaway and not for themselves," he said.
Williams-Avila said that the village's three biggest problems are that the village board and the board of zoning appeals issued a permit for a controversial check-cashing business, that taxes are up due to mismanagement of the village board, and that the downtown area is a "total disgrace." "There is no reason why our downtown is not the most beautiful of all villages," she said.
Tobin said that taxes need to be reduced, education standards should be raised, and that the "check-cashing store will be a black mark on all of us."
With regard to gang violence, Williams-Avila said that children should be made aware. Tobin said, "We already have a gang problem." He suggested the cooperation of the school district and police department and the implementation of harsher laws and penalties. "Give them time to repent and get the help they need," he said.
When asked what departments or services needed improvement, Williams-Avila said, "In our tiny little village, there is no communication at all." Tobin said that East Rockaway should offer equal-opportunity employment. "The best person should get the job, not friends or campaign people," he said. "It should be a privilege to work for the village that you live in."
In her concluding remarks, Williams-Avila said, "I would love the opportunity to show East Rockaway what a wonderful job I could do." Tobin was thankful that the forum gave residents the opportunity to get to know him better.
The president of the East Rockaway Village Pride Party, Francis Lenahan, expressed regret that the party's candidates, Bruno Romano and Irene Villacci, could not attend the forum. "They had prior commitments that could not be broken," Lenahan said.
Both village elections will be held on March 15.
Comments about this story? KBarone@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
