Two trustees and a justice are running unopposed for re-election in the Village of Port Washington North election on March 20.
Sheldon Greenbaum is seeking another term as one of the village’s two justices, while Michael Malatino and Steven Cohen look to remain on the Board of Trustees.
Cohen, who also serves as deputy mayor, has been a village trustee since 2004.
“The reason I ran in the first place was to give back to not just Port Washington North but the surrounding community,” he said.
Cohen said he wanted to keep a tight rein on the village’s finances and wanted to provide more open areas for residents through projects like Bay Walk Park.
“I would say that … we’re always looking for ways to preserve open space,” he said.
Malatino, who could not be reached, is also the superintendent of buildings and public works for the Village of Old Westbury.
Greenbaum has served in his position for over a decade, dating back to when the village’s court was created in 2005.
“I was first appointed [as village justice] for a short period of time and then I ran in the election the following year,” he said. “They created the court because residents used to have to go to the town offices during the day, and the village court allowed them to come in at night, after work. And it has been fairly successful in that regard.”
Greenbaum has practiced law since 1975. Before the creation of the village court, he served as the chairman of Port Washington North’s Board of Appeals. When not working for the village, he runs his law firm Goldman & Greenbaum PC in New York City.
Like Cohen, Greenbaum said he accepted the appointment, and has run for re-election four times because he sees his work as a village justice as a way to help out in the village where he has lived since 1977.
“For many people it’s the first and only time they appear in court, except for jury duty, so I try to make the experience educational and anxiety free,” he said. “It’s a way to give back to the community … and it’s been a nice, rewarding experience.”
