Greenport business owner: I’m running for mayor
One month after purchasing a home in neighboring Riverhead Town, a Greenport business owner says he’s running for village mayor next year.
Marc LaMaina, 33, the owner of Lucharitos on Main Street in Greenport, announced his candidacy on Facebook Monday and later told a Suffolk Times reporter that he’s serious about running for village office and has considered doing so for three years. He said transparency within Village Hall would be his top issue.
His Facebook announcement read: “I am running for mayor of Greenport in the next election. I will get to the bottom of who owns what and the legalities of all issues related to greed and assbackwardness…”
When asked about his reasons for running, Mr. LaMaina said, “I have been seeing some stuff that needs to be corrected.”
He said he plans to address specifics and outline the rest of his agenda using social media.
Earlier this year Mr. LaMaina battled the Greenport Village Zoning Board of Appeals over a light-up sign he hung in the front window of his popular restaurant. The ZBA ruled that he could keep the sign, but not display its flashing lights, a decision he expressed disappointment in.
If he does submit a nominating petition before the March 2015 election, Mr. LaMaina could possibly face a challenge regarding his residency.
Suffolk County property records show Mr. LaMaina purchased a house on Trout Brook Lane in Aquebogue May 30, but Mr. LaMaina’s voter registration still lists the Lucharitos address as his residence. The Greenport High School graduate said Monday that he sleeps some nights in an apartment above the restaurant and others at his house in Aquebogue.
Mr. LaMaina is the first person to publicly declare an interest in running for the seat. Mayor David Nyce, who is currently serving his second four-year term, has said he will not seek re-election. The seats of trustees David Murray and George Hubbard, who also serves as deputy mayor, are also up in 2015.
