Mayor, dentist face off in Asharoken vote

Asharoken Village Mayor Patricia Irving says she has accomplished much in her two terms in office: increased federal funding to the village, recruited more resident volunteers, and improved road safety. So she has only one explanation for what she calls negative campaigning by challenger Greg Letica for the coming mayoral election.

"He's part of the old guard who is disgruntled that he can't have a big part in this new administration," Irving said Tuesday.

Letica, a Northport-based dentist running on the Asharoken Integrity line, earlier this week called Irving "vindictive" and "divisive."

"What we need to have is a village that is quiet and tranquil where everyone is treated with respect and neighborliness," Letica said. "Presently this is exactly what Asharoken isn't because our mayor has gone off on a power trip."

Irving, 53, was first elected in 2008 after serving as a village trustee for five years. She unseated the 26-year mayor, William Kelly, under whom Letica, 55, served as a trustee from July 1988 until early fall 1993.

Letica cites the mayor approving two summonses to a resident for leaving garbage by the side of the road, holding a fundraiser using confidential police lists, and illegally inspecting a resident's home.

"I keep waiting to hear his platform other than attack, attack, attack," Irving said.

Irving said her first move upon election was to eliminate non-employees and nonelected officials from the village health plan, including Letica. She said village attorney Ken Savin advised her to send a letter to those affected.

"Greg went berserk," Irving said.

Irving, running on the Quality of Life line, said she and her administration have also worked on efforts to replenish sand on the beaches and to repair the village's relationships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Environmental Conservation in efforts to have repairs done on the seawall that protects Asharoken Avenue.

"I'm working my very hardest to get re-elected so we can continue the progress we've made in the village," she said.

Letica said that, if elected, he would hire a new village attorney, fix flooding issues, and operate a more open government. "I want to return Asharoken to a village where everyone is treated with respect and a neighborly fashion," he said.

Also running are incumbent Joseph Tilleli and Melvin Ettinger, both on the Quality of Life line. They are uncontested for two trustee seats with two-year terms.

The election is June 19 from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall, 1 Asharoken Ave.