Sewell Will Run With Bossart, Krasula on Concerned Citizens Ticket

The Concerned Citizens Party is gearing up for the June 21 election, and incumbents Mayor Mary Bossart and Trustee David Krasula are teaming with a political newcomer who has a sharp business and finance acumen.

Michelle Sewell, a Rockville Centre resident since 2003, is a former investment banker with an in-depth knowledge of the village's finances. She served on the village's budget advisory committee and is a budget representative for Watson Elementary's PTA. She's also heavily involved in the community; Sewell is a girl scout leader, an RVC soccer league coach, a board member on the RVC League for Mercy Medical Center and a substitute teacher's aide in the district.

"I've always been interested in public service," Sewell said. "I was quite honored to be asked to run and think I can make a positive difference."

Sewell said her own gripes and concerns about the village led her to get more involved with the community. When Bossart asked her to join the budget advisory committee, Sewell figured this was her chance to find answers and help the village she calls home. "It piqued my interest to do more," she said. "When the mayor appointed me on the budget advisory committee to try to keep expenses down, I thought with 20 years experience in investment banking and corporate finance, I could make a difference."

The municipal politics newcomer said the biggest problem facing the village now is its fiscal strength. She said that encompasses several aspects, including the general operations of the village, solutions to generate revenue, keeping taxes down while maintaining capital projects.

"It starts with the math," she said. "We have to look at the budget and see what money is coming in. We need to encourage cooperation with the government and public entities for shared services and cost savings without sacrificing the independence we maintain as a village."

Asked if she thinks the athletic fields are in poor condition, she said there are certain factors that have contributed to their deterioration. "The ball fields are not in premiere shape due to overuse and weather," she said. "However, the village in partnership with the RVC Soccer Club are currently working on Tighe Field. It is this partnership that makes Rockville Centre a great place to live and shows how neighbors working together can build a better village."

She added that village government needs to work with local businesses to find a solution to the parking problem. " I think parking needs to be addressed," she said. "We need to look at the overall plan, how it's operated and we need to create a forum to work with business leaders and come to a compromise."

The election is on June 21 and residents can only vote at the Recreation Center on North Oceanside Road.