Alagna seeks reelction as Williston Park trustee

Richard Tedesco

Williston Park Trustee Barbara Alagna is running for election to fill out the term of her seat until 2012.

Alagna declared her intention to run as an Integrity Party candidate with a kick-off party on Jan. 12. She was appointed to the village board of trustees last April to fill a vacancy created when Beth Swensen-Dowd was appointed associate justice for the village.

Before being appointed to the board, Alagna had served as secretary to the mayor, the board of trustee and the zoning board of appeals in Williston Park.

“I enjoyed the first year. I’m learning the process of the dynamics that go into running into the village. I did feel I had a running start with the knowledge I had. But I didn’t realize how intricate it was,” she said.

Alagna said she appreciates Mayor Paul Ehrbar’s relaxed but “focused” style, and said she didn’t want to upset the chemistry of what she thinks is a board of trustees with a good working rapport.

“It’s nice to feel that you’re contributing. I felt that we’re working well together and I didn’t want to upset that balance,” she said.

She said her paramount priority is to examine every line item in the upcoming budget and work to minimize the costs of running the village.

“I am very much interested in keeping the costs of running the village down. I’m looking at every aspect of the budget,” Alagna said. “We’re looking at everything, trying to cut costs wherever we can

I feel that in this day and age we shouldn’t be spending money that we don’t have or spending money us to spend.”

In her first year in office, Alagna has served as board liaison to the Senior Advisory Committee, the newly formed Williston Park Welcoming Committee, Operation Santa and Volunteer Appreciation Night.

She said she is unaware of any opposition to her candidacy at this point.

If elected, her current term will run through this year. That would complete what would have been the four-year term of her predecessor. To maintain her seat on the board, she would have to seek re-election next year. Another seat on the board will be open next year, as Trustee William Darmstadt has already indicated his intention to not seek re-election.

Share this Article