Uncontested elections hurt GN

The Island Now

Gerry Schneiderman is an ineffective officeholder and is the epitome of what’s wrong with the politicians of Great Neck. While I have never been a fan of the few elected officials of Great Neck Plaza, I recently had the opportunity to experience them in a new light as I had to present an application for a fence permit to him and his colleagues.

As one might expect, Mr. Schneiderman did not warm my heart with fondness as he attempted to reinterpret the law. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to sway the others with his rhetoric and posturing. Unfortunately for us (the royal us that is), he proved once again that he is simply unfit to be one of our public servants.

Mr. Schneiderman, a multi-term trustee from the Plaza whose record in office is thin with achievements (although his defenders credit him with bringing potted plants to the village and inventing Restaurant Week here), seems to be holding a grudge. You see, in the last election, in which he ran unopposed, I proudly stood up and exposed this political charlatan for accepting a gratuitous salary, free health insurance for him and his family, and other benefits paid for by his neighbors. And while he faced no opposition, the message was heard loud and clear as less than 5 percent of the eligible voters who live in his own neighborhood came out to vote.

It’s due time that people in the Plaza, as well as those in the peninsula’s other eight villages, reorder their priorities for who they want addressing their needs in local government. While the long arm of Mr. Schneiderman has been allowed to re-enter Village Hall virtually asleep at the wheel for past 10 years, he is no different than most other peninsula politicians in that he won’t ever be the one to address our problems.

As Mr. Schneiderman and his counterparts throughout Great Neck spend our dollars passing resolutions to officially congratulate the Duke of Cambridge on his nuptials (call the Plaza’s clerk and ask for a copy), outlaw smoking and bamboo (separately), refuse to address parking issues, limit homeowners rights, try to eliminate village supported emergency ambulance services, and collect above average salaries and benefits, a few things are clear. Economic development will never be a priority; maintaining tax rates will never be a priority; enhancing infrastructure and transportation will never be a priority; good governance will never be a priority; and Great Neck will never be a priority.

We deserve better than a bunch of politicians who govern (if you can call it that) based on flawed thinking and a sense of entitlement.

It’s time to rise up and challenge every unopposed politician in the year ahead, if for no other reason than to start leveling the political field and questioning the status quo.

Michael S. Glickman

Great Neck

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