Roslyn trustee candidates cite experience

Longtime experience is the mantra recited by all three candidates running for two trustee seats in the Village of Roslyn.

Incumbent Marshall Bernstein, 74, has lived in Roslyn since 1974. In 1981, he was appointed to the Historic District Board and has since served on the planning and zoning appeals boards. Bernstein was elected trustee in 1996 and has served as deputy mayor for the past six years. He is a lawyer with Robinson, Brog, Leinwand, Greene, Genovese & Gluck in Manhattan.

Bernstein, who is running with the Community Party, said he would like to oversee "unfinished business" regarding the village's financial condition. He said that for several years budgets were adversely affected and taxes raised due to conflicts with a developer, Biti Llc of Jericho. The developer held off on building condominiums and in 2009 sued the village charging extortion, a claim denied by village officials. The litigation was settled in 2011, Bernstein said, and the development is now going forward. Bernstein said it is his "top priority" to keep an eye on the village's financial health.

Incumbent Craig Westergard, 55, also of the Community Party, has lived in the village since 1988 and was first elected to the board of trustees in 2000. He has served on the Historic District Board and is a former trustee of the Roslyn Preservation Society. Westergard owns Studio Westergard Architecture + Design in Roslyn.

Westergard cites his architectural experience and tenure on the board as "invaluable" to the community. He said his most recent projects have been restorations to the Clock Tower as well as planning for the proposed new sports field and parking lot at the end of Skillman Street. "We've accomplished a great deal and have a cohesive group that gets things done," he said.

Challenger Wayne Marr, 60, of the Clock Tower Party, has been a village resident since 1976 and has been on the planning board since he was appointed six years ago by Mayor John Durkin. He also has served as both a member and chairman of the village zoning appeals board. Marr, who ran for trustee in 2000, is an engineering manager for Verizon, overseeing Queens County.

Marr cites his longtime experience in government and said he wants to bring in a "new fresh view." He said communications between the village and residents, such as annual newsletters, can be lacking in information or may be sent to only a portion of residents. He said in an email he wants to improve "the policy of open and transparent village government, encouraging accessibility, informing residents and business owners of Village Government news," to increase resident participation. Marr pledges to work to keep property taxes stabilized.

Voting is March 20 from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall.