Another candidate, a Greenport High School coach, has stepped up to throw his hat into the proverbial ring for a Greenport village trustee seat in the 2015 election.
Jack Martilotta, a teacher and football coach for the Greenport Porters, said he felt compelled to run for public office. “I feel that it’s important in our democracy to participate, and in doing so, we make the institution stronger. Also, Greenport is such a great place to live and raise a family, I would like to ensure that the village continues to thrive, yet maintain its charm.”
Martilotta said his professional experience gives him unique qualifications. “As an employee of Greenport High School, I have the pleasure of working with some really great kids and in a outstanding community. My job also affords me an opportunity to communicate with community members in a way that might be difficult for people with a different profession.”
In addition, as 14-year veteran of the United States Army and NY National Guard, 1-69 Infantry, and as a Sergeant 1st Class, “I have been to multiple leadership schools, where I have learned the importance of communication, how to properly set and achieve goals, and move an organization in a specified direction. I feel that all of these skills will be helpful on our board,” Martilotta said.
If elected, Martilotta already has goals. “We need to figure out how to open up Mitchell Park to events as soon as humanly possible,” he said. “That park drives so much business to our downtown, and we need a workable solution.”
Martilotta ,who has lived in Greenport for over six years with his wife Jaime and three children, Jack, 4, Sophia, 2, and Emma, one month, said the village has “so much potential. We need to continue to forward if we are to realize that potential.”
His background, the coach said, includes a BS from Bates College, and Masters from Dowling; he has worked at Greenport High School for six-and-a-hafl years, and is currently in the NY Army National Guard, 1-69 IN, as a SFC, Battalion Targeting NCO.
Last year, Martilotta was chosen by the New York Giants as “The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week.”
Greenport’s greatest challenges, Martilotta said, include “infrastructure, creating a 12-month economy, extracurricular opportunities for our young people.”
Martilotta said he believes if elected, he can bring a unique perspective to the board. “I will work hard, be fair and honest, and I am willing to listen. As an Senior Leader in the US Army, I have been tasked with large projects filled with challenges, and I have found success. I will give the same effort in order to find success on the village board well.”
In recent weeks, others have announced plans to run.
Earlier in December, following in his father’s footsteps, Greenport Village Trustee George Hubbard Jr. told SoutholdLOCAL that he’ll throw his hat into the proverbial ring and run for mayor in 2015 after current Mayor David Nyce finishes up his term.
Hubbard, currently Deputy Mayor of Greenport, said that after having served as a Village Trustee for eight years, he’s enjoyed his time on the board. “We have lots of stuff going on and I want to finish it all,” he said.
Many have told him that his father, a longtime village trustee and former mayor, would be proud. After his father’s death, Hubbard carried on his father’s long legacy on the village tree committee and in the Greenport Fire Department. “Everyone has said my father would be happy about this,” Hubbard said. “I decided I have to do this, at least once.”
Hubbard has worked tirelessly on village initiatives during his stint on the board and has enjoyed focusing on issues including the revamp of the village skate park so that future generations of young people can continue to have a safe place for recreation.
Meanwhile, in August, a local Greenport business owner has decided to forego a run for mayor in the next election.
Marc LaMaina, owner of Lucharitos on Main Street, confirmed to SoutholdLOCAL in June that he was hoping to run for the post. But later , LaMaina announced his turnaround on Facebook.
Also, in November, Greenport resident Douglas Roberts announced at a village board meeting that he will be running for one of the two open village trustee seats after the terms of both George Hubbard Jr. and Dave Murray expire. According to Village Clerk Sylvia Lazzari Pirillo, an independent nominating petition is one of the required steps to run for election in the Village.
Roberts said he’s decided to run because he believes that residents need to be more connected to their government. “The people of Greenport deserve leaders who have the best of integrity, as well as the ability to think outside the box and solve problems.”
Election Day will be held on March 18, 2015, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with voting at the Third Street Firehouse. Voter registration days will be held on March 5 from 8:30 am. until 5 p.m. and March 7 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
