With the deadline for filing petitions passing this week, Trustee David Tanner is assured that he will be running unopposed for mayor of East Williston in the upcoming March 15 election. Tanner is part of a three-candidate Community Party slate with Chamber of Commerce of the Willistons President Bobby Shannon and attorney Bonnie Parente standing for trustee seats.
A third trustee candidate, Caroline DeBenedittis, is running independently for a seat on the village board. DeBenedittis is chairperson of the East Williston Recreation Committee,
Tanner announced his candidacy early last month after Village of East Williston Mayor Nancy Zolezzi decided not to seek another term in office. Deputy Mayor James Daw Jr. also announced his intention to not seek re-election. Since Tanner was also up for re-election, his decision to run for mayor left two other vacancies on the board of trustees.
Zolezzi has credited Tanner with playing a key role in developing the master plan for upgrading East Williston’s downtown and its new village hall. Tanner cites his 13 years of experience on the board as a prime reason that he said he is ready to “step up” and assume the mayor’s role.
Shannon and Parente were both recruited to run by Tanner. Shannon said he welcomed the chance to take on additional responsibility in the life of the community.
“In East Williston, you see a community who cares, a very traditional community. I’d like to take an active role. I like being involved,” Shannon said.
Shannon and Parente both want to create more activities in the village for youngsters in the village.
“I think it’s the tween-teen years that need to be addressed,” said Parente, a lawyer and mother of two.
A director of human resources for the New York Racing Association, Parente said she feels her experience there will help her as a trustee. In 2008, she was appointed an alternate to the East Williston Board of Zoning.
DeBenedittis has been chair of the recreation committee for the past seven years, and has also been an active member of the Parent Teachers Organization for the past 11 years.
“I have volunteered my time and service to this village because I strongly believe in the qualities that define our village and set us apart from others,” she said.
Having helped establish Friday night movies and game nights for youngsters at City Hall, she also wants to develop more recreations programs for East Williston teenagers.
In Williston Park, Trustee Barbara Alagna is running for election to her position after being appointed as trustee last April.
She said her mission is to work at keeping costs of running the village as low as possible.
“I am very much interested in keeping the costs of running the village down,” she said. “I’m looking at every aspect of the budget. We’re looking at everything, trying to cut costs wherever we can.”
