By Anthony Bottan
With only a week left before the election, Wilhelmina Funderburke entered the political ring as the lone challenger against longtime District No. 2 Sanitation Commissioner Leroy Roberts.
Funderburke enters a race amid heavy debate over fees Nassau County residents pay for sanitation pickup, especially those in the designated "special districts" following Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman's audit of certain water and sanitation districts that claimed wasteful spending last year.
Roberts is a longtime Baldwin resident and is seeking to serve a second term as commissioner. He said that the audit found no wrongdoing or mispending at Sanitary No. 2. If re-elected, Roberts said he is looking to implement a number of new initiatives, including a new recycling program that could lower taxes and provide residents better service. A former Baldwin High School teacher and football coach, Roberts said he is looking to keep taxes low if re-elected.
Funderburke has 20 years managerial experience for the Nassau Downs OTB and is a 40-year resident of Roosevelt. She is running on a platform of reform, and has vowed to curb what she says is overspending and to serve as a voice for taxpayers.
Five commissioners regulate the district, serving five-year terms, with one seat up for re-election each year.
The district encompasses Baldwin, Roosevelt, South Hempstead, parts of Uniondale, north Rockville Centre, Oceanside and Freeport.
Sanitatary District No. 2 held a special meeting on July 17 at the district office. The meeting covered all regular business for the district, as well as a review of petitions for candidates for commissioner. The election will be held on Thursday, July 27 between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the district office at 2080 Grand Avenue.
