Special Election Set to Replace Sunshine

A special election is set for October to fill a seat left vacant on the Glen Cove Board of Education when former trustee Joel Sunshine resigned in August.

In a special meeting Aug. 29, board members voted to hold the special election on Oct. 21 at the Finley Middle School. The newly elected trustee will hold the seat from Oct. 21 through June 30, 2014. 

Candidate packets are available at Thayer House during normal business hours and are due to the clerk's office by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1. Packets need to be signed by at least 100 residents.

The cost of the election was estimated at roughly $12,663, which covers a single location, four voting machines, 16 inspectors, transportation and required materials. The cost may be reduced depending on whether the election requires fewer voting booths, inspectors or materials and will be determined later.

Trustee Rich Maccarone called it "money well spent." Trustee David Huggins denounced the cost of printed materials at $6,000 calling it "excessive."

Superintendent Maria Rianna said the materials are required by law based upon the number of registered voters in the community.

"These are materials we have to have in place based upon the estimate of how many people will vote," Rianna said. "We don't want to jeopardize this election by not having the required materials in place." 

The board agreed to hold the election as soon as possible, although it legally has 90 days from the time of the resignation to fill the vacant seat.

Former trustee and 2012-2013 board president Joel Sunshine moved out of the school district and resigned in August. He served on the board for five years. 

Sunshine, a lawyer with three children, was elected on a platform of budget cuts and teacher contract negotiations. He faced some controversy last year over when he said the board was in danger of being too swayed by public opinion, calling it a "slippery slope toward mob rule."

It is not known what school district he moved to.