Two village elections were held last week, resulting in a new mayor for Bayville, while Muttontown Mayor Julianne Beckerman has kept her seat despite the last minute contest.
“It is an honor to be able to represent the residents of Muttontown once again,” said Beckerman, who won 473-270. “I am grateful that they had the faith in me to see past the untruths circulated during this election process. I want to thank all those who came out to vote. I truly believe this is a victory for our entire village. I look forward to working with my running mates, other board members and all those residents who want to participate in their village governance in the years to come.”
Incumbents Julie Albernas, Carl Juul-Nielsen and Salvitore Benisatto were also reelected as trustees. The election in Muttontown became contested in the last week by the Peoples Liberty Party, with Pericles Linardos running for mayor.
“My party and I have no regrets,” said Linardos. “We put together a team against all odds and ran it. We had no knowledge that an election was even taking place… No one wanted to be seen helping our group by meeting within the Village, or placing out our signs for fear of retaliation…I only hope that the disingenuous statements that we were going to dismantle the police department wasn’t the deciding factor. As a firefighter / paramedic and card carrying union member that was not even a topic of discussion. Enhancing and improving it was…We were formed to stop spending money on lawyers so it can be spent on the village and its residents. We were formed to fight for the people who were to afraid or couldn’t fight for themselves. In the end we lost but we did so with dignity and respect because that is what we are all about.”
Trustee Paul Rupp was voted as mayor for Bayville, defeating incumbent two-term Mayor Douglas Watson and his Taxpayers Party ticket by a vote of 1,322 to 965. Rupp, 54, works as an administrator for a defense company and has served two four-year terms as trustee. This year, Rupp broke away from the mayor’s party to form the Bayville Revitalization Party with running mates Tim Charon, Joe Russo and John Taylor; all three were voted in as trustees.
“The next four years will be critical to restoring our village from its current multi-faceted, depressed state,” said Rupp in a statement. “Under my leadership, I will engage residents by listening to your input and acting upon your concerns and not shut you out. I will make village government more transparent and grow our community, together.”
“I think it’s great for Bayville— needed change after 20 some years under one party rule,” said Bayville Trustee Harry E. Pinkerton III. “These men are all accomplished professionals who think of Bayville first, not a party line like before. I see us accomplishing a lot and getting away from ‘that’s the way it’s always been done’ or ‘that’s who we always use.’ Bayville is a great place and we only want to help make it better; there’s lots to do and this new team will make it work. My frustration is gone and I’m excited to get going with this group.”
Mayor Watson could not be reached for comment by press time.
