MEET THE CANDIDATE: Paul Breschard

The election for Mayor and Trustees for the Village of Mastic Beach is coming up, and I have reached out to the many candidates running for various positions. For the next couple of weeks I hope to get responses from them so I could feature them here, and have everyone become familiar with the candidates. This is the fifth installment of "Meet The Candidate", featuring Paul Breschard who is running for Village Mayor.

1)Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you lived in the area?
I was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1949, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. We were summer residents until 1953 when my family moved into my aunt’s converted summer bungalow on Alder Drive in Mastic Beach and became year-round residents.

I began school in 1955 in the first grade at the William Floyd Annex in Moriches (today called The Little Red Schoolhouse, directly in front of Moriches Elementary).

I graduated from the new William Floyd Junior-Senior High School and was in its first graduating class of 1967. I graduated valedictorian of my class, thanks to “ the dedicated teaching of the best faculty on Long Island.” Their dedication would inspire my choice of my life’s work five years later.

I attended C. W. Post College, majoring in English Education and graduating in February 1972. I immediately got a position at William Floyd. Earning a Master’s Degree at Hofstra University in 1978, I taught English at both the William Paca Middle School and William Floyd High School. I married Paca’s Nurse Jerri Weir in August of 1974. Jerri and I built our home in Mastic Beach, where we raised our children Jayme and David. During my teaching years, I also served as adult education director, chaperone, alternative school instructor, home instructor, newspaper and yearbook advisor, summer school instructor, and sundry other extra-time positions.

During my years of raising a family, I served as a Mastic Sports coach in boys’ baseball and girls’ softball. I also served as a Boy Scout leader and scout master. I worked summers as a dock master and as docks and marinas manager for the Town of Brookhaven for over 20 years.

Retiring in 2005, I continued to serve part-time as adult education director. I have also provided services as SAT Prep, home, and academic intervention services instructor when needed. In 2008, I was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Wm. Floyd School District.

My new avocation, however, is local civic work. I serve as a director of both the Pattersquash Creek Civic Ass’n. and the Wm. Floyd Alumni Ass’n. I have also served as the Chairperson of the Mastic Beach Village Exploratory Committee for the past three years, the organization responsible for the successful incorporation of the Village of Mastic Beach.

2) Why did you decide to run and were you for or against the village?
I am running with the encouragement of the more than 300 residents of Mastic Beach who comprised the Village Exploratory Committee. They understand that the very existence of our new village depends on the outcome of this election. My opponent and his Alliance are supported by the very people who first tried to prevent the village referendum with their Article 78 and then waged a campaign of misinformation and scare tactics to try to defeat the referendum. Even though 57% of the voters approved the village, our opposition is still fighting to destroy what we have fought so hard for. Putting my opponent into office would render the new government ineffective by maintaining the status quo in Mastic Beach -- a community controlled by special interests.

3) What do you believe your responsibilities are as a mayor?
The mayor is the CEO of the village. My first job will be to find the very best people to staff the new government: a village clerk, treasurer, attorney and office secretary; a code enforcement department and officers; a building department with planning board; a zoning commission and zoning board of appeals; and a village court and justice. Then it will be my responsibility to insure that the new government is better than what it is replacing. It must be a government that is both accountable and accessible to the residents of Mastic Beach. All records of the decisions and actions of the mayor and trustees must be available in a timely fashion to all residents. A Citizens Advisory Council must be appointed to advise the mayor and trustees. And, village meetings must serve as a community dialogue of all issues affecting our residents. The mayor must guarantee this!

4) What outside experience do you bring that can be applicable to the position?
As adult education director at Wm. Floyd, I managed a professional staff of more than 40 while providing academic, recreational, and self-improvement programs to the residents of the district. As Brookhaven Town’s Director of Docks and Marinas, I supervised a staff of over 300 workers at seven marinas on Fire Island, and on both north and south shores. And, during the last three years, I successfully led more than 300 dedicated volunteers in the establishment of this village. I have educated myself in New York State Village Law and have studied the structure and operation of successful village governments around the State.

5) What do you see as the positives of Mastic Beach, and what are the negatives?
That’s easy! The positives of Mastic Beach are her people and the geography of the community in which they live. The negatives are the special interest groups that would destroy the quality of life of their neighbors for their own profit.

6) How do you envision the Village of Mastic Beach in 5 years?
I envision a safe and nurturing community for families, for young and for old. I envision a community of narrow tree-lined roads where the proximity of the front door to the road brings neighbors together. I see a village filled with people who want to walk down a road and talk to their neighbors, smell a roast cooking for dinner, and hear a children asking their mom if they can go out to play after homework.

I see families wanting to buy a home where a dirt road runs parallel to the shore, and seagulls sit atop telephone poles, by a bay that is quiet but for the drone of a lone boat sailing into the sun that is setting beyond the drawbridge. That was the Mastic Beach of my yesterday, of my youth fifty years ago. That is also the Mastic Beach of my future!


THE ELECTION IS ON NOVEMBER 22nd, 2010 AT THE MASTIC BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT (ON NEIGHBORHOOD RD) FROM 12-9PM.

MEET THE CANDIDATE: Barbara O'Malley

The election for Mayor and Trustees for the Village of Mastic Beach is coming up, and I have reached out to the many candidates running for various positions. For the next couple of weeks I hope to get responses from them so I could feature them here, and have everyone become familiar with the candidates. This is the fourth installment of "Meet The Candidate", featuring Barbara O'Malley who is running for Village Trustee.

1) Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you lived in the area?
I graduated from SUNY at Stony Brook and obtained my JD from Pace University School of Law. I have been an attorney for 26 years specializing in the field of real estate law and now foreclosure defense. I worked as an associate for the Village of Lake Grove Attorney in the late eighties and I currently work as a managing attorney supervising a Court Appearance and Closing Department in the Law firm where I work.

I first discovered the community of Mastic Beach when I represented clients that were purchasing a home in the area in 1986. That closing not only brought into my life very dear friends that I have known for 24 years but it brought me to this place that I now call home. I have lived in Mastic Beach for eleven years.

2) Why did you decide to run and were you for or against the village?
I had been part of an unofficial email campaign in support of the Village. I was later approached by the MBVEC in October to run for Trustee and I met with 6 of its members for the first time at my interview. I was so impressed by the caliber of the people I spoke with that day, including Paul Breschard, our Village Vision Team Mayoral Candidate. Since the vote to form the Village was so close, they wanted to make sure that the people of Mastic Beach knew that this government would be working for all of them. Their genuine concern convinced me to get involved. Since I had always been a Village supporter but not really actively involved in the process, I felt I wanted to make a substantial contribution to the success of our fledgling government.

3) What do you believe your responsibilities are as a trustee?
I believe first and foremost that I must be responsive to the needs of the people of Mastic Beach. The Village exists to serve them and for no other purpose. I believe if the Mayor and Trustees can convey this message then it may help end the divisiveness in our community. A variety of methods for residents to communicate with their government must be established so that their representatives are accessible, responsive and their actions transparent. Residents must have ample opportunity to make their needs known since it will require the input of everyone living in Mastic Beach to make our Village a success.

I also believe the single most transformative power that our new Village Government will provide for Mastic Beach is effective Code Enforcement. Our community is approximately 30% non owner occupied and my belief is that if Landlords are required to toe the line when it comes to the safety and well being of their tenants, occupancy limits and the conditions of their properties that many of them will look for another neighborhood to do business in. The Landlords that are willing to meet their responsibilities are welcome to stay. This will put the residents of Mastic Beach back in control of their community at a minimal expense with a maximum return. Rental fees and fines can generate a substantial income, especially if Landlords refuse to meet their responsibilities.

4) What outside experience do you bring that can be applicable to the position?
I have an extensive legal background and I am a specialist in the field of Real Estate Law. I have worked as an associate with a Village attorney and am familiar with Building and Zoning issues. I have worked in a supervisory capacity for the last 15 years and have extremely good management skills. Also, as a sole practitioner I have run my own business. Most importantly, I am intelligent, hard working and in love with Mastic Beach and so I will do everything in my power to see it reach its full potential.

5) What do you see as the positives of Mastic Beach, and what are the negatives?
Positive - Mastic Beach is a quaint, historic and visually exquisite area. Our water front is massive and our view of Fire Island unique. I also love the fact that our community is so diverse. I believe this brings a dimension to our Village that many others don’t have. Our community is comprised of hardworking and caring people that want a neighborhood they can be proud of and they are willing to fight for this.

Negative- Illegal Rentals in our community which are in poor condition and overcrowded have put a tremendous drain on our community. Also the fact that the Town and County see our community as a source of affordable housing for sex offenders, sober homes and recently released prisoners. I believe every community must house their fair share but our community, for one reason or another, has been saturated with them.

6) How do you envision the Village of Mastic Beach in 5 years?
I believe Mastic Beach will finally be seen as a desirable and attractive water front community that prospective homeowners will want to live and raise their families in, where local businesses are thriving and long time residents are once again proud to call it their home.


THE ELECTION IS ON NOVEMBER 22nd, 2010 AT THE MASTIC BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT (ON NEIGHBORHOOD RD) FROM 12-9PM.

MEET THE CANDIDATE: Grace Ruffo

The election for Mayor and Trustees for the Village of Mastic Beach is coming up, and I have reached out to the many candidates running for various positions. For the next couple of weeks I hope to get responses from them so I could feature them here, and have everyone become familiar with the candidates. This is the third installment of "Meet The Candidate", featuring Grace Ruffo who is running for Village Trustee.

1) Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you lived in the area?
I am originally from Ridgewood, Queens. My parents purchased their home here in 1972and I spent every weekend and summer out here enjoying the beauty of the suburb and the pristine waters of the south bay. I recall getting ready to come out here every Friday night, stopping at Skippy’s on Montauk Highway to grab a bite to eat and getting a preview of what was playing at the drive in movie theater across the street. Every wonderful memory of my childhood reflects back to my home in Mastic Beach. In 1993, my husband Joseph (a lifelong resident of Shirley & currently Captain of the Neighborhood Watch Team) and I moved out here permanently. I attended St. John’s University and majored in Business & Computer Science. I started my career on Wall Street 24+ years ago and hold a Series 7 & 63 Securities license. I am currently employed with one of the world’s major securities firms in the investment industry.

2) Why did you decide to run and were you for or against the village?
I decided to run for two reasons, first and foremost, my Dad. My dad passed away 18 years ago and I recall how much he loved it out here. As a child one summer I asked him why we don’t go on vacations as all my friends do and his response was “Why pay for Paradise when we have it in our own backyard?”. Those words I have held dear to my heart. By running for Trustee, I can accomplish this by bringing back paradise he once knew and make him proud. In turn, I can also give back to the community that gave me a wonderful and memorable childhood. In regards to whether I was for or against the village, I guess the honest answer would be – I was pro-ish. The explanation of that term is, when the idea of incorporating a village was announced, I was extremely excited that we can finally steer the destiny of this community. But as we neared the election, instead of seeing this community unite, I saw it dividing more and more. I will not say that I was against the village, but I did not like what the “incorporation” was doing to this community.

3) What do you believe your responsibilities are as a trustee?
Unite what has been divided. I want to be the advocate and representative for all residents. Residents have a right to a village that is responsive to and understands their needs. And I can promise that if elected, I will be diligent, creative and thorough in finding and implementing the best possible solutions to the problems and challenges facing Mastic Beach today and in the future by working with my fellow Trustees and Mayor as well as, town, county and state officials to accomplish this. We need to change the perception that people have of Mastic Beach.

4) What outside experience do you bring that can be applicable to the position?
I have 24+ years financial background, I have built successful long term relationships with fortune 500 corporations and high net worth clients. I am also on the Board of Directors as Secretary for the Osprey Park Civic Association. My desires, integrity and commitment to make a difference, for the residents of Mastic Beach Village coupled with my professional experience equips me with what I firmly believe are the necessary skills to meet the challenges of keeping the cost of running a village contained while providing quality essential services.

5) What do you see as the positives of Mastic Beach, and what are the negatives?
Mastic Beach has many positives! We are a waterfront community! We have the Great South Bay surrounding us, the William Floyd Estates and many good hard working people. The negatives are that we do have the blighted homes and code violation issues, but I believe the negative perception everyone has outside of Mastic Beach is overly exaggerated. I feel with the right people elected – we can change all these negatives into positives.

6) How do you envision the Village of Mastic Beach in 5 years?
Call me a dreamer – I envision the Village of Mastic Beach to be a pristine waterfront village. A village with well-kept homes occupied with year round residents as well as summer residents. A downtown area with cafes, quaint shops and nightlife. And most importantly - an area where the north and southend unite and celebrate many village events together with their families. A Village every resident can be proud of.


THE ELECTION IS ON NOVEMBER 22nd, 2010 AT THE MASTIC BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT (ON NEIGHBORHOOD RD) FROM 12-9PM.

MEET THE CANDIDATE: Bruce Summa

The election for Mayor and Trustees for the Village of Mastic Beach is coming up, and I have reached out to the many candidates running for various positions. For the next couple of weeks I hope to get responses from them so I could feature them here, and have everyone become familiar with the candidates. This is the second installment of "Meet The Candidate", featuring Bruce Summa who is running for Village Trustee.

1)Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you lived in the area?
My wife of 27 years and I, Lorraine, have been full-time residents since 1985. We have worked together owning a successful hair salon for over 20 years. During that time, Lorraine and I opened the doors of the salon once a month to provide services to the poorest of the senior community free of charge until we sold our business in 2005. I was also in the "Big Brother" program for eight years. I am semi-retired working just two days a week and have the time to serve Mastic Beach as a trustee.

2) Why did you decide to run and were you for or against the village?
I was an outspoken opponent of incorporation based on what I considered to be incomplete or fraudulent information as provided by the "exploratory committee". I am running for two reasons, a) I feel my management and people skills will be very beneficial for the residents b) I was raised to not be as critical as I have been without being willing to "step up to the plate" and put my "money where my mouth is".

3) What do you believe your responsibilities are as a trustee?
The duties of a trustee are to manage the property and the finances of the village. A trustee may take all measures, within the law, deemed expedient and desirable for the safety, health and comfort of the inhabitants. Also, power is conferred upon the trustees to acquire property for public improvements by purchase or condemnation for drains, waste systems, water disposal and public docks as well as the sale of abandoned or lost property. This is why it's very important to choose the right trustees for this job so that "abuse" of power does not become a "village standard".

4) What outside experience do you bring that can be applicable to the position?
The outside experiences I bring are business management and compassion for the community. I have been "dirt poor" and successful. Those experiences allow me to have empathy with all members of the community. I have had to create my success with my own money at stake and I will treat the taxpayer's money the same way. I have also been the president of the Nassau Cosmetology Association. As well as the Treasurer of the New York State Cosmetology Association. Which provided me the experience of working with others as a "board member" of these associations.

5) What do you see as the positives of Mastic Beach, and what are the negatives?
The biggest positive of Mastic Beach, besides it's fine residents, is the waterfront and beach and boating activities that are offered. The negatives are the abandoned homes and rental units that house gangs and drug dealers as well as the lack of sewers for Neighborhood Rd. which are necessary for the commercial development and expansion of our downtown.


6) How do you envision the Village of Mastic Beach in 5 years?
In the next five years, I would like to see Mastic Beach marketed as the best place for young families to have affordable homeownership on Long Island.



THE ELECTION IS ON NOVEMBER 22nd, 2010 AT THE MASTIC BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT (ON NEIGHBORHOOD RD) FROM 12-9PM.

MEET THE CANDIDATE: Evan Proios

The election for Mayor and Trustees for the Village of Mastic Beach is coming up, and I have reached out to the many candidates running for various positions. For the next couple of weeks I hope to get responses from them so I could feature them here, and have everyone become familiar with the candidates. This is the first installment of "Meet The Candidate", featuring Evan Proios who is running for Village Trustee.

1)Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you lived in the area?
I am a six year resident of Mastic Beach who purchased my first home on Wavecrest Dr. with my wife Jessica when I was 23. As a young couple we moved to Mastic Beach because we love the water and it was one of the only areas we could afford to live in. I hold two undergraduate degrees in Technology and a Masters of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Organizational Management. I have been employed by the County of Suffolk for 11 years and have served in several advancing positions including working under Edward Romaine and Judy Pascale in the County Clerks Office in the Information Technology department. I love boating and jet skiing and spend most of my summers in the inlet or the forge river. My wife and I both ride Harley’s and I have an extensive background in custom car audio and consumer electronics.

2) Why did you decide to run and were you for or against the village?
I decided to run because I felt that my demographic and generation needed a voice in the village. I was for the village but I was not for the Village Vision Team or exploratory committee. As I applaud their efforts and dedication to getting the village passed I do not agree with many of the methods they used during the campaign and feel that their motives were not always genuine. I feel that now is the time for all residents of Mastic Beach to come together for the greater good of the people. That is not possible if we are still fighting with pro village and anti village people. I still see the fight continuing and we need to elect candidates that can let the past stay in the past and keep focused on our future. As the youngest candidate running for a seat in Mastic Beach I feel I can effectively represent the interests of the younger constituents within the Village. My kids are not grown and moved on, I have not had children yet. I am not retired or close to retirement. My house is far from paid off. I cannot afford to move if I wanted to. Like the Village, my future is here in Mastic Beach, not my past. I have a long run ahead of me like many others my age that live here in Mastic Beach and on Long Island. Way too often my generation is represented by officials that live in a different world then we do. They do not understand my struggles, our struggles. They grew up in a different time, in a different way. They have different goals, different struggles and are in a different point in there lives. I am not saying that age makes a difference; there are great perspectives that come from every age group. I am saying that there are 5 seats on the village board and at least one of them should represent the younger generations that live in the village. I am also running because with my extensive business education and government background I am sure I can set up this new government effectively and efficiently. I am not sure how well it will be set up without me.

3) What do you believe your responsibilities are as a trustee?
As trustee my responsibilities are the same as any other elected official and that is to represent the people that I serve. Many in politics these days forget why they are elected. Elected officials are here as representative of their constituency. My ideas and desires come second to those of the people I serve. I will listen to my constituents and their ideas and work for them. Work for you. My most important responsibility is to listen to everyone, act as an arbitrator to facilitate compromise between all residents and champion their ideas and create the Village that the people want and need. Too often these days elected officials become complacent and forget to listen to the people that they serve. Second to that my responsibilities will be to create a good working new branch of government. I will use all that I know of business processes and effective government and create policies and procedures that make sense and will work for the Village now and for years to come.

4) What outside experience do you bring that can be applicable to the position?
I have plenty of governmental, civic, and business experience that I feel will be applicable to this position. First I hold two masters degrees in business. Government is most like business in many regards. Not math, science or english. In these days government needs to act like a business to run lean and efficent. I have been a Suffolk County employee for 11 years and have worked in several departments and positions. I know how government runs. The good and the bad. I know the difference and I know what works and what does not work in government.

I am an Eagle Scout, I have been an EMT for 7 years and I serve on several volunteer boards including current President of Briarcliffe College Alumni Association, Vice President of Osprey Pointe Civic Association and member of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce young professional’s advisory board. I was also an elected officer and treasurer of Medford Volunteer ambulance for one term. I know a few things about starting a new organization as I am the first president of my alumni association and the first vice president of my civic.

5) What do you see as the positives of Mastic Beach, and what are the negatives?
Mastic Beach has many good points. First and foremost is the great people who live here. Even for our faults Mastic Beach is made up of a lot of good, hard working, caring people. Second for me is our beautiful waterfront and environment. Nestled on the Great South Bay between Moriches Bay and the Forge River we are located in what I feel is one of the most beautiful pieces of water surrounding the island. We are a middle class hard working area with great water views. One negative point is the stigma that surrounds the name Mastic Beach. I feel we do have our problems but not nearly as bad as it is made out to be. I tell people I am from Mastic Beach and they cringe. They ask how I can live here and if I am scarred. I am really not sure what they are talking about. My wife walks our dog every day around the block. There is not a lot of traffic and it is not scary at all. I feel that our area has a much worse reputation then what it really is. As for real problems we do have housing issues, blighted areas, and many code violations. I almost feel a lot of that will go if we change the perception of our area and attract good hard working homeowners to buy up our empty and blighted houses. Crime and drugs are the same issue here as they are all over Long Island and need to be met with force same as anywhere else.

6) How do you envision the Village of Mastic Beach in 5 years?
In five years I see our boarded up houses occupied by hard working families and young couples just starting out proud to own a home. I see our retired residents happy with their neighborhoods and meeting up in the streets to discuss recipes and when they will be going fishing next. I see a growing downtown area with some night life. I see a calendar full of Village events like street fairs, bake fairs, parades, festivals, carnivals and tons of fun activities for everyone. I see two strangers talking in the mall and when one proudly says they live in Mastic Beach Village the other responds with wow, I heard it was really nice out there. I know that this sounds like a dream because it is. Shaw once said that “some see things that are and say why, while I dream things that never were and say why not”. We need to start with a dream and then work hard to make it a reality. I see a small Village, using technology and creative methods to cut costs while generating revenue being able to live up to its dreams.

THE ELECTION IS ON NOVEMBER 22nd, 2010 AT THE MASTIC BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT (ON NEIGHBORHOOD RD) FROM 12-9PM.