Manorhaven Mayor Election Candidates: Meet Vincent Costa

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Village elections are planned this month featuring a pair of mayoral duels in Manorhaven and Flower Hill.

In Manorhaven, Mayor Jim Avena will face a challenge from Vincent Costa on Sept. 15. Avena took over the mayoral office in 2016 after defeating Gary Pagano. He is running on the Manorhaven Residents Party ticket.

The party is running on a platform that government became stronger during Avena's tenure, including running a balanced budget, improving the village's bond rating, opening Morgan's Dock, launching the Manorhaven Boulevard project, preventing development on marine property, and cracking down on unlawful over-occupancy code violations. The ticket, which will appear as Row A on ballots, includes incumbent Trustee Priscilla von Roeschla and Joe Zimbardi.

Costa is running as a part of the Manorhaven Liberty Party, which has expressed concerns about development in the area, including what it sees as over-development and an inequitable favoring of builders over neighbors. Costa's ticket, which will appear as Row B on ballots, includes Harry Farina and Walter Peters.

Patch has reached out to both candidates to fill out our 2020 candidate questionnaire. Here are their responses, lightly edited for clarity.

See also:

• Manorhaven Mayoral Election Candidates: Meet Jim Avena
  
• Manorhaven Mayoral Candidates' Forum: Start Time, How To Watch
• Mail-In Voting In New York: Deadlines, How To Get A Ballot
• New Yorkers Can Now Apply Online For Absentee Ballot

Vincent M. Costa

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3): 63

Town of residence: Port Washington

Position Sought: Town Office (Mayor)

Party Affiliation: Manorhaven Liberty Party.

Family: Married for 38 years to Laura, raised three children in the Port Washington Schools and has four grandchildren.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education: High school

Occupation: Retired, worked for UPS for 26 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

Campaign website: Facebook page Manorhaven Liberty Party.

Why are you seeking elective office?

There are serious issues with over development pertaining to our waterfront properties.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Protecting our waterfront, in Manorhaven.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Manorhaven Liberty Party is an independent leadership body.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency):

We want to preserve our village by the bay. Promises made and not followed through.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Overdevelopment of our village, and inadequate sewer system.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Managed over 300 people in UPS as a shop steward. Held various ranks in the Port Washington Fire Department, managed, the ranks, budgets, various committees throughout my 44 years and still active.

The best advice ever shared with me was: Never make a promise, a promise is a lie.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Since moving to Port Washington 38 years ago, I became active in the community, I enjoy helping others, giving back to the community. My wife and I wanted to instill positive community values, and how rewarding it is to help others and make a difference in the community.

I am an active fireman for 44 years. Founding member and head advisor of the Port Washington Fire Department Juniors 2000 till present day. I am a member of the Knights Columbus, and the Elks. I was the founding member of the Christmas Tree lightning on Main Street and continued as co- chair. I was active with PAL, PYA and Troop 7. My two sons are Eagle Scouts. My wife and I are parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima Church.