Upsets in LI village elections

What was supposed to be an uncontested election in Bayville fielded a surprise write-in winner, capping a day of upsets at village polls Tuesday.

Write-in candidate Harry E. Pinkerton III had the most votes and won a trustee seat, according to Bayville officials.

Incumbents Timothy Fay and Peter B. Valsecchi Jr. won the two other at-large trustee seats. Incumbent Kate Naughton and write-in challenger Margaret Marchand lost their bids for the trustee seats.

Pinkerton, 62, president of a medical pump manufacturing company, said his first priority upon entering office will be to "get along with the other people in the group."

"I'm ready to jump in and join the group and see where we can fix things," he said Tuesday. He celebrated the success of his unusual write-in campaign. "It worked! There were a lot of roadblocks in front of us, but we got it done," he said.

The village has been roiled by the story of Pinkerton and Marchand, 42, whose nominating petitions were declared invalid last month by a bipartisan Nassau County Board of Elections research team.

Most signatures collected by Pinkerton and Marchand were ruled invalid because supporters had written "Bayville" rather than "Town of Oyster Bay" as their town of residence, according to Democratic elections commissioner William Biamonte. Pinkerton and Marchand then ran as write-in candidates.

Among the Island's nine contested village elections, voters also ejected incumbents in Bellport, Asharoken, Manorhaven and Sag Harbor.

ASHAROKEN

Mayor Patricia Irving, 53, was denied in her bid for a third term, according to unofficial results reported on the village's website. She lost to challenger Gregory Letica.

Irving, who also served five years as an Asharoken trustee, was elected mayor in 2008.

The election hinged on quality of life issues in the village. Letica, 55, a Northport-based dentist, said he thought all along his chances of winning were strong. "Residents wanted change and different leadership," he said. "No, I'm not at all surprised. I felt very confident."

Letica said repairing the Village Hall building and negotiating a new police contract are priorities.

Incumbent trustee Joseph Tilleli and newcomer Melvin Ettinger ran uncontested for two at-large seats.

MANORHAVEN

Mayor-elect Giovanna Giunta, who ousted incumbent Mayor John M. Di Leo Jr., said in an interview that the election results represented a "pivotal moment" for the town.

"We have taken our village back," said Giunta, who called the current administration "unresponsive." She added, "We are committed to listening to all the concerns and suggestions."

Giunta's running mates Mark Lavarovic and Noelle Joy Smith defeated incumbent James M. Avena and challenger Julian Patricio Auquilla for two at-large trustee seats.

BELLPORT

The race for two at-large trustee seats centered on the local economy. Challenger Leslie O'Connor and incumbent Dorothy A. Terwilliger won two-year terms.

Incumbent Alison L. Neumann lost her bid for a second term. "I hope she enjoys her two years like I did," Neumann said of O'Connor Tuesday. "Hopefully this board will work as well together and be as cohesive. I have absolutely no regrets. I feel less stressed."

Neumann said she hoped to continue serving the village on committees.

OLD WESTBURY

Incumbent Mayor Fred J. Carillo handily beat challenger orthopedic surgeon Dr. Harvey Manes for re-election.

Carillo, 69, said a priority of his upcoming term is improving communications with village residents. "I want to encourage the community to attend our meetings," he said.

Incumbent trustees Harvey Blau and Michael Wolf, who ran unopposed, were also re-elected.

ATLANTIC BEACH

Mayor Stephen Mahler beat challenger Edward A. Radburn and was re-elected to his ninth term.

"I was very, very gratified at the confidence the community had in me," Mahler said. "I've been the mayor for 16 years and I'd like to think I've earned a ninth term and the community agreed with me."

KINGS POINT

Incumbent Mayor Michael C. Kalnick soundly defeated challenger Mojgan Sasson.

Incumbents Sheldon Kwiat and David Harounian also beat challengers Dr. David Schifter and Freydoun Elnekaveh for two at-large trustee seats.

BRIGHTWATERS

The village's main issues were maintaining healthy village finances and fixing battered roads.

Incumbent John Riordan, who was appointed to the board two months ago, won re-election, and challenger Denise Gibson won an at-large seat on the board. Challenger Diane Urso lost her bid for a trustee seat.

Incumbent Mayor Joseph McNulty won re-election in an uncontested race.

SAG HARBOR

Incumbent Robbie Stein and challenger Kevin J. Duchemin won two-year trustee seats, defeating incumbent Bruce Stafford Sr.

DERING HARBOR

Incumbent trustees Linda Adams and Mary Walker won re-election over challengers Ari Benacerraf and Patrick Parcells. Incumbent Mayor Timothy Hogue ran uncontested.

With Stacey Altherr, Deon Hampton, Nicole Fuller, Emily Ngo, Candice Ruud and Nicholas Spangler