By Mary Malloy
"We want to properly vet and select the candidates," she said. "This is an important year. We need to select the three perfect candidates to fill these positions." These announcements were made at a recent back- to-business meeting held at the VFW Hall on Merrick Road on Sept. 24.
"Brian Curran is one of the best mayors we've ever had," said Hendrick. "He is running by example." Hendrick said that his role in heading the candidate selection committee is more like that of a cheerleader for the residents of Lynbrook. "For those who send e-mails, come to board meetings...this job is like running a large corporation, run by part-time people...and they do it from their hearts..because you believe that where you live, you should have a good, solid, sound village."
Hendrick said that members of the other two parties in the village acts as Luddites - a Luddite was someone who, in the early nineteenth century, would protest changes produced by the Industrial Revolution by throwing a shoe into the machines, causing them to malfunction.
"It has been difficult for me," said Trustee Alan Beach. "I am not a politician, and to have all the bickering and animosity go back and forth...there is no sense doing this in public." Beach said that at the work sessions, arguing back and forth among the mayor and the trustees can be helpful - but not in front of the public. "Can you imagine how much work we could get done with five people on the board who were working together?"
Curran said that the New Vision Party was formed two years ago by a small group of people who did not like the way the government was being run. "We saw a problem back then," he said. "People were leaving because of taxes, and crime was rising." Members of the two other parties - the Reform Party and the Independent Party - he said, have said that the New Vision Party will never keep their promises. "Eighteen months have gone by, and if we didn't do as we said we would, I would be the first one to tell them."
Curran said that in the last year, overall crime has decreased by 17.5 percent, with violent crime seeing a 56 percent drop. There have been four major projects completed: the soccer field on Ocean Ave., the reconstruction of Larson Park on Peninsula Blvd., the basketball courts in Greis Park, and new recreational programs for adults.
Other accomplishments, he said, included the free tree program, the reinstitution of the leaf collection program, and two senior citizen volunteer programs - Bridging the Gap, and the addition of a senior citizen liaison, Ann Conway.
"We said that we would cut taxes," Curran said, "and we did - we cut the tax rate by one-quarter of one percent." He said that although it may have resulted in only a savings of $7, $10 or $15 per household, that his opponents tried to minimize it. "I don't care," he said. "If that's [money] back in your pocket, then I will make that deal every year."
"As chairman, I will appoint a nominating committee who will sit down and interview candidates for the three open positions," said Hendrick. "We do have people who want to run, and we will put together a strong slate." He said that the party hopes to announce their candidates by their November meeting.
"Whomever we pick will be the same type of person as me, Billy, and Alan," said Curran. "People who are going to put their heart on the table an make promises that they intend on keeping."
The New Vision Party's next meeting will be on Wed., Oct. 15 at the VFW Hall.
Comments about this story? Mmalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
