By Nicole Falco
While Cahill's re-election is seemingly in the bag, fellow United Community Party candidates Guido Cirenza, the deputy mayor, and Trustee Joanne Antun, both seeking third terms, are facing opposition from Integrity Party candidates Bill Freda and Mary Salg. Village Justice Robert Bogle, running alongside Cahill, Antun and Cirenza, is seeking a fifth term and is also running unopposed.
Candidates had until 5 p.m. Feb. 11 to submit their petitions to Village Clerk Vinny Ang at Village Hall. Voting will take place March 18 at designated polling places throughout the village.
The two trustee seats up for grabs will go to the two candidates of the four who garner the most votes. The seats held by trustees Richard Coffman and Joseph Zabatta are up for grabs next year.
Freda, a 38-year village resident, is a first-time candidate, although he has worked for the village in two appointed positions. He served as a member of the Village Planning Board from 1991 to 1995 and as deputy village treasurer from 1995 to 1999. Salg, a 49-year village resident, previously sought election to the board in 1996, alongside the late John Balick, against Coffman and Zabatta.
According to Freda, he and Salg's co-bid for election will be as grassroots as they come. The two will be stressing "public participation" throughout their five-week campaign, and hoping to visit various civic associations.
"We expect more from a trustee than to vote 'yes' to every resolution," Freda said. "The most important thing is to include the residents in as many decisions as possible and in as many discussions as possible."
Freda and Salg regularly attend monthly village board meetings and are frequently outspoken about decisions made by the board. In recent years, both have attached their names and backing to various lawsuits in attempts to stop certain projects approved by the board that they felt would negatively impact the community, including the mini-golf proposal and King Kullen. Both projects have moved forward.
"It's time for a government of the people, by the people, for the people," Salg said.
According to Cirenza, his sole purpose for seeking re-election is to "continue to give back to the Valley Stream community."
"The current administration and I have put every effort forward to ensure that the village of Valley Stream continues to uphold the values and quality of life that are the foundation of our town," Cirenza, a 40-year resident, said.
Eight years ago, Cirenza ran on the same ticket as Jim Darcy for mayor and Cahill for trustee. Cirenza is also president of the Italian-American Civic Association.
Even with his own re-election a foregone conclusion, Cahill said he would campaign alongside Cirenza and Antun to offer his support "to complete the team." Cahill, a Conservative, invited Antun and Cirenza, both Democrats, to run with him.
"As a team, I think we have worked very hard, and the evidence is all over town," Antun said.
Antun pointed out improvements throughout Valley Streams parks, road renovations and improvements to the pool complex in Hendrickson Park as a few of the board's accomplishments. "We want to keep the momentum going for the next four years," said the a 21-year resident.
Antun is involved in the community through Holy Name of Mary Church, the Valley Stream Youth Collaboration and as the village liaison to the library.
Cahill said his campaign message would consist of looking toward the future. "I am running again to follow through on the work we have been doing in the community, including enticing more businesses to the area and doing work in our parks and on our streets" he said. "My goal is to continue to make Valley Stream one of the nicest villages on Long Island to live in."
Cahill, a resident of Valley Stream for 38 years, was appointed mayor in January 1999 to complete Darcy's term. Darcy resigned after he was elected to the state Assembly. Darcy was later elected to the Hempstead Town Board. Cahill was officially elected in March 1999. He had previously served as trustee and deputy mayor under Darcy from 1995 to 1999.
When Cahill begins his second term in April, he will be the first mayor since Henry Waldinger to serve two consecutive terms. Even though he is mayor, he said, "I consider myself a resident -- a resident with the enormous responsibility of running a village of 40,000."
Bogle, appointed justice in 1988 to fill a vacancy, won election in 1989 and has presided over village court proceedings ever since. "Since I assumed the position of village justice in 1988, the court has grown substantially," he said. "Hopefully we will continue to expand on the many programs we have implemented, including community service, drivers' education and enforcement against repeat offenders."
