Port to hold 3 unopposed village elections

Continued from Page 1 are running for re-election, the only candidates ofcially on the ballot.

Haagenson, a Baxter Estate resident since 1975, has been mayor since 2015, making this upcoming election potentially her ffth term in the ofce. She said during this time she has been dedicated to her village and her eforts are not fnished yet, hence why she is running for re-election.

During her tenure, Haagenson said her accomplishments have included securing nearly $1 million in grants from the state, digitizing records, establishing an independent planning board, not raising taxes forveight years and coordinating renovations throughout the village utilizing grant money.

Looking ahead if re-elected, she said she plans to renovate Baxter Beach, which she said is in dire need of refurbishing, as well as further beautifcation of the village.

Haagenson has also opposed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s housing plan, which would require municipalities with MTA stations to rezone for higherdensity residential development, including the Town of North Hempstead. If re-elected, she said she would continue fghting against this plan.

Comer and Branco did not respond to requests for comment.

The Baxter Estate village clerk was unable to provide how long Comer has served as a trustee, but her records date back as early as 2009. Comer is the principal for investment strategies at Family Ofce Advisors, of which he co-founded.

Branco has been a trustee since April and previously served on the village’s Board of Zoning and Appeals.

Port Washington North’s residents will also be voting for their mayor and two trustees.

The ofces are currently held by Mayor Robert Weitzner and Trustees Matthew Kepke and Andrea Schef.

All three incumbents are running unopposed and for the Port North Party.

During Weitzner’s 18-year-long tenure as mayor, he has accumulated a long list of accomplishments. These include preventing any debt build-up in the village, creating the village court, various infrastructure projects to repair the streets, sidewalks and curbs, collaborating and creating the bay walk and expanding the commercial sector.

Looking forward, Weitzner said if re-elected he would like to expand recreational facilities in the community, build a village hall, fnish repaving all roads — which has been 60% done — and maintain the village’s top rating for fscal stress by the state’s comptroller.

“Before I leave I want to leave the village in as best possible hands,” Weitzner said. “I don’t think the board’s work is done and certainly my vision of what the village can be. That keeps me focused and striving for more.”

Kepke has been a trustee for the village since 2014. During that time, his accomplishments have included expanding businesses in Soundview Marketplace, sponsoring the law that restricts tobacco sales to people 21 years and older and expanding and improving the bay walk.

He said he wants another term to establish a system to get people from the train station uptown to the village via public transportation and other means as well as continuing infrastructural projects like repaving roads.

Schef was unavailable for comment.

Andrea Schef has served on the board since last summer, when she took over for her husband, Sherman Schef, following his death. Sherman Schef had been a trustee since 2008.

All elections will be held on March 21.

Flower Hill residents can vote at the village hall, 1 Bonnie Heights Road in Manhasset. Polling will take place from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.

The Baxter Estates election will be held at the village hall, at 315 Main St. in Port Washington. Polling will begin at noon and the village hall will close at 9 p.m.

Port Washington North’s election will be held at the village hall, at 3 Pleasant Ave. in Port Washington. Polling will take place from noon until 9 p.m.