Greenport voters to choose new mayor, trustee

Greenport, the North Fork village known for its historic carousel and maritime festivals, will have a new mayor and at least one new trustee when a hotly contested election season ends Wednesday.

George Hubbard Jr., a two-term trustee who also serves as deputy mayor, and Julie Lillis, a village business owner, are vying to replace outgoing Mayor David Nyce, who opted not to run for a third four-year term. Four candidates are also seeking two seats on the village board.

All six candidates are running on separate minor party lines.

Hubbard, 55, who owns an auto repair shop on Shelter Island, said he wants to finish projects started during Nyce's tenure. Those include an upgrade to the village power plant and the crafting of rules governing whether outside groups can rent out the popular Mitchell Park for events.

"I'm a very hands-on kind of guy," Hubbard said. "I donate a lot of my own time, money and materials" to village projects, he added.

Lillis, who owns a liquor store and volunteers as a firefighter, could not be reached for comment. But on her campaign Facebook page she said she wants to explore creating a new park and bird sanctuary along a village lake and help small businesses capitalize on the area's increasing tourism.

Management of Greenport's village-run sewer system and electric grid are key issues in the trustee race.

Incumbent Dave Murray, a builder, is running for a second four-year term while three challengers seek his seat and the one being vacated by Hubbard.

Challengers said the village board botched a recent $720,000 deal allowing the Peconic Landing retirement community to hook up to the village's sewer system.

Doug Roberts, 39, who owns an education software firm, said Greenport's government lacks a clear vision for the future. He said he wants to lay out long-term plans to keep the community affordable for year-round residents and create jobs, which he said hinges on smart stewardship of the utilities.

"This is what keeps the taxes down, keeps the rates down," Roberts said. "It's what attracts people here, and it's eventually what will attract industry back to Greenport."

Jack Martilotta, 40, a science teacher and football coach at Greenport High School, said he wants to "create some consistency in the decision making" at Village Hall.

"I wanted to make sure that when my kids get older, if they decide to stay in the village, they can," Martilotta said.

Bill Swiskey, 67, Greenport's retired utilities manager, said the village board has mismanaged the sewers and electric grid, and allowed the streets to fall into disrepair. He cited a power outage last August that left some neighborhoods without power for 12 hours.

"I was born here, and we have to try to save it," he said.

Murray, 46, said he wants to continue his work improving the Mitchell Park Marina, where he said a new electric system has allowed the village to lure larger yachts and make more money from fees.

"Our revenue stream has increased dramatically, but I think it can increase even more," Murray said.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, with voting at the Third Street Firehouse.