I am a third generation Port Washingtonian who has lived here all my life. I love everything about Port Washington and am proud to be able to raise my family here. People in our community know me for my extensive volunteer work, serving on many boards and helping wherever I can otherwise. People also know me to be an upstanding, honest person without exception.
Although I no longer live in Manorhaven, I rented and owned in the Village for about 20 years. I remember all too well what life was like when Gary Pagano was the Village Mayor in the 1990s. Many considered him to be the most hated mayor ever. Pagano liked to spend the Village’s money on pet projects. He needed to make money some way so he ticketed residents heavily, even trying to fine people for cracks in their sidewalks. He had his staff conduct excessive searches in people’s homes, issued fines to renters instead of their landlords and favored friends and family for various positions in the Village. His non-supporters seemed to receive an inordinate number of targeted.
Attempting another election run after losing two elections in a row nearly 20 years ago is not surprising given Pagano’s arrogance. But, what seems to be a surprisingly foolish political move is that Jim’s opponents are trying to blame him for all that wasn’t right in the government for the past four years. The truth is that the Mayor is 100% responsible for everything that goes on in the Village. Anyone who doesn’t know a mayor runs every aspect of a village has no business running for office.
Jim and Priscilla are very devoted to fixing the government and proposed so many things that would dramatically improve the quality of life in Manorhaven. But the Mayor vetoed or ignored nearly everything. With Jim as Mayor, these proposal and so many more will be implemented that will make living in Manorhaven a joy.
Jim Avena, Priscilla von Roeschlaub and Roy Smitheimer are involved and respected in Manorhaven and the entire community. They have such impressive and government-relevant expertise, any village would be very lucky to have them leading their village government. I wish I could vote for them. I strongly urge everyone in Manorhaven that want to fix the Village’s parking and snow removal issues, roads, curbs and so many other things that this team plans to accomplish to Vote Row B on June 21.
Debbie Greco Cohen
