After the chaos of Tuesday’s [Great Neck] village election had ended, it left me totally perplexed, as to what I had observed.
If you want to topple a ruling party, you don’t do it with a mass last minute write in. It was unfair to the village clerk, the inspectors, who were short staffed and the park district, who has to retain their staff until 2:00 a.m., when the Great Neck House could be closed, not to mention, two police officers, who were called in to keep order.
I do not always agree with how things are done in our village. There are things that need to be changed. I have expressed my opinion, sometimes heated, many times, but at least I do it open at public meetings.
It is good to have changes, but only if it is to improve the quality of life in our village, not because of some complaints I heard that night.
Dr. Pedram Bral, quoted, “Our officials have to listen to the people (true), so everyone is happy, then no one would run against them.”
He only decided to campaign four days before the election. Hardly enough time for all registered voters to know who he is and his position with the trustees and judge, were the interest of their party meant for the whole community?
Bral said, “The village harasses residents, fining them for everything.”
I agree some fines are uncalled for, but that is why we have an appeal board and court. Fines for not cutting lawns or removing dangerous trees, Bral, indicated it was a lack of respect to residents.
It is alack of respect, when a resident lets their yard of vacant lot, look like an overgrown mess, or remove a dangerous tree, which could damage an adjacent property or fall on someone.
As to, Mr. Kambiz Akhavan, you don’t run for judge, because you think to many traffic tickets and violations are given out, if people didn’t go through lights, or stop signs, speed, make illegal U-turns, text and use cell phones, park in front of fire hydrants, double park(all illegal), the court would be almost empty on Wednesday night.
The court would not generate more revenues, but the village would be a lot safer.
I smiled at Bral’s statement to the press, “ If they are willing to vote for someone and they don’t know who he is, that speaks volumes.”
How in the world can one vote for someone who has never been to a meeting (held twice a month) or a zoning/planning board meeting.
How can one vote for a new board, unless we know what their agenda is?
What improvement other than, no traffic fines, no permits for construction and as he told me, “Raise taxes to make up for the losses of tax exempt properties.”
This used to be a peaceful village, neighbor helping neighbor, it has seen a lot of changes, some good , some not so good. It seems to have become a split community in many ways.
Jean Pierce
Great Neck
