The village election to be held March 19 may hold little drama, but it will represent a major change as New Hyde Park Trustee Robert Lofaro runs unopposed to take the reins of government from longtime Mayor Daniel Petruccio, who chose not to seek another term.
Fellow Village Party trustees Donald Barbieri and Lawrence Montreuil are also running unopposed in re-election bids as is Village Justice Christopher Devane.
Lofaro, who has served as deputy mayor during the past 12 years of his 14-year tenure on the board, was chair of a five-member Citizen’s Budget Advisory Board prior to joining the board. The advisory board provided recommendations to the village board on how to streamline expenses and reduce taxes.
Lofaro said many of the recommendations he made on the advisory board were implemented after he was first elected as village trustee in 1999.
“We run the finances of the village like a business and that had been our objective from when I got in office 14 years ago. I’m a taxpayer too and I’m going to make spending decisions that are very well thought out,” Lofaro said after announcing his decision to run for mayor.
He said proud of the accomplishments the village board has made during his tenure including the completion of several major road improvement and beautification projects and revitalization of the area near the Long Island Rail Road line, including a new train station, new curbing, repaved parking areas, new fencing, and new planting areas.
Lofaro said the greatest challenges the village is the LIRR’s plan for a third track and separation of the at-grade crossings on the main line including is the redesign of Jericho Turnpike by the state Department of Transportation, and increasing costs.
Currently director of trade and risk services a major global investment bank, Lofaro said he is proud of the role he’s played in helping manage the village’s finances. New Hyde Park recently received a long-term bond rating of AA from Standard and Poor’s, which described New Hyde Park’s financial position as “strong and expected to remain as such.”
Lofaro is active in community organizations and is also a volunteer firefighter. He has coached and managed girls softball for the New Hyde Park Little League, worked as division director and coach for the New Hyde Park Wildcats Soccer Club, and also coached girls basketball for Notre Dame CYO.
Barbieri, who has been wheelchair bound due to multiple sclerosis during his 13 years as village trustee, has been an activist for the rights of those suffering from multiple sclerosis.
He has said he remains dedicated to serving as trustee in the village he’s lived in his entire life.
“I will continue to use my business management skills to deliver the essential municipal service to every home. My promise is to make you feel comfortable with your local government,” Barbieri said.
After receiving a bachelors degree from Rutgers University, Barbieri became a registered nurse. He now owns and operates a shoe repair business located at Pennsylvania Station in New York City.
Barbieri is an active member of the Park Civic Association and the Village of New Hyde Park Parks Commission. He has coached Wildcats Soccer and Merillon Softball and has been a member on various school board committees.
“I have enjoyed working on projects which I believe have improved life in our village,” Barbieri said.
He cites the train station improvement project, and upgrades at Nuzzi Park and Memorial Park among those projects.
Montreuil was first elected village trustee in 1997. He has served as the board’s liaison to the building department, village zoning board of appeals, the architectural review board, the board of assessors, veterans, and education.
Prior to being elected to the village board, Montreuil has also served on the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Board of Education as a trustee, a vice president and president.
He said he understands that a community’s quality of life is determined by how the land is zoned and used. He said he has focused on the village’s fight against illegal apartments.
“The appropriate regulation of land use is vital to preserving and improving our suburban way of life,” Montreuil said.
Montreuil said he bring his business experience as director of supply chain for JetBlue Airways Corporation over the past 10 years to the village.
A former U.S. Air Force officer, Montreuil is a lifelong resident of New Hyde Park, where he and his wife, Annie, have raised their three children.
During his 10 years as village justice, Devane said he has tried to follow the example of former justices from Marcus Christ to his predecessor, David Sullivan.
“As a lifelong member of this wonderful community, I am well aware of the concerns and issues that affect so many of you. I share these concerns and I take them into account as the village justice. I have done everything in my power to fulfill the trust that you have shown in me,” Devane said.
Devane, who also serves as village justice of the peace, said he has officiated the marriages for more than 75 village couples, and officiated of one couple on their 50th wedding anniversary.
Voting will take place on Tuesday, March 19 from noon to 9 p.m. in Marcus Christ Hall at 1420 Jericho Turnpike.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
