Several slates of candidates are competing in the Manorhaven election, each promising change as the village board confronts the issue of whether to allow development along the waterfront.
Candidates running for mayor include Trustee James Avena and former Mayor Gary Pagano, who both agree that a major problem in Manorhaven is the waterfront, and the growing tensions to rebuild.
Pagano, who served from 1992 to 1998, said there has been a movement by the board to change the zoning along the waterfront to allow residential construction.
“That motivated myself, my wife and a number of concerned residents since Manorhaven is the last bit of concentrated shoreline inside all of Port Washington,” he said. “For that to be turned into residential it would dramatically change the village.”
“The character of the community is being threatened by the pressure to build on the shoreline,” Pagano added. “This is an issue in all of Port Washington.”
Avena said he doesn’t want to say that he’s against development along the waterfront, but that he’s waiting to see what the Local Water Revitalization Plan states is best.
“If the study came out with a different idea I’d prefer we’d keep it open and honest,” Avena said. “I’m not going to say I’m for or against it. Let’s see what the study shows and take it from there.”
Haven Marina’s attorney, Anthony Placentini, said the marina’s landlord, Michael Boroumand, and its co-owner, Ed Mayourian, a developer, want their property cleared of boats to build waterfront condominiums. Re-zoning along the waterfront, which has been a controversial topic for residents and property owners, would have to change to allow condos.
Avena said if the owners of the marinas along the waterfront want to sell their property to developers for rebuilding he doesn’t want the owner to sue the village “because the zoning is too restrictive.”
“Our waterfront is our most precious asset,” Avena said. “Wherever we end up, involving the entire village in the idea and planning process is a must.”
Trustee Priscilla von Roeschlaub, who is running for re-election, said she is for the waterfront community and has no intention of changing the zoning.
Candidates running for two open trustee seats also include Roy Smitheimer, founder of the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District; Ken Kraft, a retired Nassau County Police officer; and Barbara Ruemenapp, a retired Pan American Airways employee in sales and marketing.
Mayor Giovanna Giunta and Trustee Kevin Gately are not running for re-election.
Giunta said in a statement that she is choosing not to run again to spend more time with her family.
“Over the past four years, it has been my privilege to be your mayor,” Giunta said. “The help, support, and input of so many active, concerned citizens aided me in making our Village such a great place to live and work. Although I’m not running for re-election in order to spend more quality time with my family and friends, I intend to remain active to make sure that our village continues on the positive road we are traveling together.”
Pagano, a 40-year Manorhaven resident who owns an entertainment management business in Port Washington, said one of his reasons for running for mayor is to change the “dysfunctional board.”
“Manorhaven is at a tipping point created by lack of code enforcement and pressure from developers to overbuild and overtax our deteriorating infrastructure,” Pagano said. “The residents have lost confidence in a dysfunctional government that spends a lot, and accomplishes very little.”
Avena, who has served as trustee since June 2015, said he’s aware that the current five-member board has not always gotten along.
“We have to bear some responsibility,” he said. “We have to get better at all that and there has to be a change. That’s the way to move the village forward.”
“I want to put the discord that has become commonplace in our village’s politics behind us and move forward with our residents for a better Manorhaven,” Avena added. “This negative, self-serving energy is harming our beautiful village’s reputation and prevents our government from operating effectively.”
Avena said that since he has served on the board regular work sessions take place, liaisons are in place for every key village responsibility, resulting in greater effectiveness, and every meeting is recorded for transparency. As budget liaison, Avena said the recently passed 2016-2017 budget balances income and spending, while ensuring a surplus is available, if needed.
Pagano said during his tenure the village purchased land to create open space and waterfront access for public enjoyment, which led to the establishment of the Manorhaven Nature Preserve and Morgan’s Dock. He also was appointed to the Long Island Sound Coastal Advisory Commission by Gov. George Pataki because, Pagano said, of his qualifications and accomplishments in protecting the ecosystem in Manhasset Bay.
“I identified a lot of the problems inside the village which were not just zoning oriented,’’ Pagano said. “The village didn’t own any property. We were a waterfront community, we weren’t emphasizing that.”
He said during his administration the board began putting together a zoning plan for future development and put together a code department that was able to enforce the safety codes.
“We were a very good team and we were able to accomplish a lot,” Pagano said.
Pagano, is running with Ruemenapp in the Above Board Party.
Formed this year, the Above Board Party will focus on the preservation of the waterfront, code enforcement and ongoing quality of life issues, Pagano said.
“Neither of us have any outside interest at all,’’ Ruemenapp said. “It’s just what’s going to be better for the village. It should be the gem of Port Washington, because it’s the waterfront and instead there’s constant detention and things not getting done.”
Pagano said if elected he plans to reinstate an effective snow removal plan and eliminate the alternate side of the street parking now in effect for four months in the winter in favor of emergency parking plans.
Avena and his running mates, Smitheimer and Von Roeschlaub, who are running on the Manorhaven Residents Party, have a platform that includes easing parking problems, including limiting alternate side parking to snow emergencies, instituting a highly efficient and effective snow removal plan, fully staffing code enforcement, buildings and public works and making sure that they function at the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness, and repairing and maintaining the infrastructure needed for the dense population. They also want to finish discussion with Port Washington Police, comparing benefits and costs versus Nassau County patrol protection and taking appropriate action based on public safety and financial considerations, and improve the village’s strengthening financial standing, continuing to whittle down costs, factoring in necessary capital improvements and allowing for emergencies.
Von Roeschlaub, who is a retired real estate broker, said she believes she has the knowledge and experience to serve another two-year term as trustee.
Von Roeschlaub said her and Avena were able to secure an additional $2,000,000 from Nassau County Legislator Delia Whitten de Riggi to improve and revitalize Manorhaven Boulevard.
If elected, Von Roeschlaub said, she’d like to “create a more beautiful village,” including enhancements to Manorhaven Boulevard and a thriving commercial district, with high quality shops and restaurants.
“I want Manorhaven to be better than it is,” she said. “I want it to be beautiful.”
“Would love to get a steak house restaurant,” Avena added.
Another candidate running for trustee is Ken Kraft, who is on The Proactive Party.
“I’m running by myself,” Kraft said. “I’m kind of like the lone ranger.”
Raised in Manorhaven, Kraft said he believes the major issues in the village include protecting waterfront properties, addressing parking problems during the winter and summer, and creating a “workable Village Board.”
“That could work together for the benefit of all of our residents rather than the embarrassing gridlock that has paralyzed any attempts to address critical needs within the village,” he said.
The village of Manorhaven will hold elections on June 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Village Hall.
