Voters choose new trustee in Brockport

Voters in the Village of Brockport overwhelmingly cast their support behind Hanny Heyen as their choice for trustee for the next two years. Heyen defeated incumbent Mary Jo Nayman, by a margin of 580 votes to 329.

Nayman had been appointed to the trustee seat by Mort Wexler when he was elected mayor in 2005. He said he was disappointed that Nayman wasn't elected to the seat.

"I congratulate both individuals for stepping up to the plate and being willing to represent this village. I respect anyone for doing that," he said. "I have known Hanny for many years and I am looking forward to seeing if we can work together."

Heyen said it was gratifying to have been chosen by the voters. "It's been a journey," she said.

Because she's the new kid on the block, Heyen said she wants to sit down and talk with the trustees and encourage a good working relationship. "I want to get to know all of them and work together. My top priority is to make our village be affordable so that people will want to come here, stay here and raise their children. I want the businesses to flourish and want to explore new revenue streams."

Priorities for Heyen are preparing for the upcoming negotiations for the police department's contract. "When I was campaigning, the majority of the people want a 24-hour police department, they just want it at an affordable cost."

Preparing a plan of action for the proposed Main Street road reconstruction is another upcoming issue. "We need to involve all pertinent parties who will be impacted by the reconstruction. We need to begin a pattern that will bring people to our downtown so that when the reconstruction begins, they will still come to the merchants.

Heyen said she is excited to begin her tasks as trustee and said the swearing in should be in early July. "I want to work toward a more cohesive and civil village board," she said.

June 25, 2006