By Nick Buglione
O'Flaherty captured the seat vacated by incumbent Ronnie Fauci, who chose not to run for re-election, by trouncing Goldenberg 2,393 votes to 1,447. Dark-horse candidate Shannon O'Keefe, who was virtually invisible since petitions were filed in April to get her name on the ballot, came in a distant third, garnering just 386 votes.
"I was pretty surprised," said O'Flaherty, 40, on the fact that he took home more votes than all five other candidates vying for the two open seats. "I didn't think I was as well known as Chuck [Goldberg] was."
It was an impressive showing, especially considering O'Flaherty won handily in every elementary school precinct with the exception of Parkway. Goldenberg, who lives in the Parkway area and figured to be a favorite in its returns, barely managed to edge out O'Flaherty by 39 votes.
Despite his defeat, Goldenberg has no regrets and hasn't ruled out running again in the future. "I was out to work for the kids, and I think I did a good effort in my campaign," said Goldenberg, 45, urging that in the coming year the board should focus on the children. "Making sure they get a good education, that should be their top priority."
Although O'Flaherty, an assistant property manager at the UBS Building in Manhattan, has never before held an elected office, he believes he shouldn't have any trouble settling into his new spot on the board.
Having served for the past nine years on the Financial Advisory Committee, a group of community members convened each year to offer input on the school budget, O'Flaherty already has a good idea of the district's inner workings.
"I'm used to sitting in that room anyway for the Financial Advisory Committee, so dealing with Dr. Dillon and Mr. Campo won't be anything new," O'Flaherty said.
In the meantime, O'Flaherty said he's going to be sitting in on board work sessions to soak up as much as he can before his July 1 induction as trustee.
"I just want to review all the documents," he said. "I know next year the teacher contracts are going to be up, so I just want to get a handle on it."
In what was at times a contentious race, incumbent Charles Goldberg overwhelmed opponent Robert Daly 2,366 votes to 1,578. Third place candidate Gary Gold, who like O'Keefe made no real effort to win the election, scratched out 314 votes.
Goldberg, 54, has served on the board for the past 12 years, three of those as vice president and one as president.
During his tenure, Goldberg was instrumental in creating the district's Center for Human Dignity, expanding staff curriculum development and secondary honors programs, and formulating new textbook policies and technology curriculum. His experience and track record obviously paid off in the polls.
"We're very gratified that the community looked for positive answers from positive candidates," Goldberg said. "We have a vision of moving this district forward."
While he lost by a convincing margin, Daly, 43, believes much good came out of his campaign. "I think I did all right as a first time candidate," he said, adding he might consider running again. "It depends on what the issues are at the time. This was important to me because I felt the money wasn't going to my children's education."
Focusing on financial responsibility, Daly said, should be at the top of the board's to-do list in the coming year. "The board really needs to pay attention to their own books," he said.
O'Flaherty and Goldberg will each serve three-year terms starting July 1.
In other election day news, East Meadow Public Library board incumbent Henry Olshin beat out Joseph Rut 2,118 votes to 1,151.
The final tally
O'Flaherty O'Keefe Goldenberg
Barnum Woods 671 62 477
Bowling Green 684 92 244
McVey 407 116 292
Meadowbrook 379 59 144
Parkway 224 12 263
Absentee ballots 28 12 27
Total 2,393 386 1,447
Goldberg Daly Gold
Barnum Woods 716 415 88
Bowling Green 690 277 74
McVey 336 409 66
Meadowbrook 375 164 46
Parkway 218 284 35
Absentee ballots 28 12 27
Total 2,366 1,578 314
