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AMITYvIlle _____________
HERALD ReCORD
Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
Just how bad are NYS roads?
Amity Harbor Civic holds meeting
Amityville hosts ‘Spring Fling’
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VOL. 130 NO. 22
MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2025
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Renna faces Cullinane in GOP primary in Suffolk’s 14th LD By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Carolyn James/Herald
Newly reelected Amityville School Board Trustee Juan Leon, right, and incumbent trustee Christopher Nehring congratulate each other following their victory last week.
Amityville voters okay school budget, proposition on student transportation By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Amityville voters gave a thumbs-up to the school district’s $103 million budget last week, by a vote of 959 to 477. And while voter turnout was low, Village resident Todd Brice said the passage of Proposition 2 on the Amityville School District ballot last week reflects the community spirit that defines Amityville. “It is great that the community came together to get this done,” said Brice, who spent weeks before the vote raising awareness about the proposition. The measure extends the mileage limit for busing private and parochial school students from 15 to 17 miles. “This is a cool town,” Brice said, whose two children attend Chaminade High School in
Mineola, which was about two miles above the 15-mile limit for school transportation. “Whether you are out there looking to raise money for a charity or looking to do something else good for the town, the community responds.” In the race for two seats on the Board of Education, Juan Leon won a three-year term with 841 votes. He was sworn in immediately following the vote. Incumbent Christopher Nehring received 780 votes and will be sworn in after Trustee Wendy Canestro’s term ends June 30. They defeated challengers Christopher Papile and Sydney Martin, who received 625 and 452 votes, respectively. “I’d like to work to bring more cohesiveness to the board and the community,” Nehring said after the results were announced. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Republican loyalty is at the heart of a growing primary battle in Suffolk County’s 14th Legislative District, according to Babylon Town Republican leader Joe Barone. Barone and the party are backing Richard “RJ” Renna, a Lindenhurst Village trustee and the GOP’s chosen candidate, as he faces a primary challenge from fellow Republican Shawn Cullinane. “This is about party loyalty and working hard to get the person who was chosen to run for the seat elected,” Barone said. He noted that Renna was selected after an extensive screening process conducted by the town Republican committee, which included interviews with multiple candidates, including Cullinane. He quickly countered the claim. “No one has been a more loyal Republican than me,” said Cullinane, who maintains Renna was the party’s hand- chosen candidate even before a screening process was conducted. “Over the years I have run as a candidate, did political fundraising, and volunteered my time on behalf of the party, so I dispute that characterization.” He also called it disingenuous, noting that Renna at one time mounted a campaign against two incumbent Lindenhurst Village Board members—Joan Masterson and Mayor Mike Lavorata. Renna acknowledged bringing a challenge against Masterson
and Lavorata, saying he believed at the time that the party was not working to bring in younger people. When he failed to get the GOP nomination, he did not wage a primary, however. “Instead, I ran as an independent candidate,” he said. “And when I did not win, I got involved in the Republican party, volunteered my time and eventually got a seat at the table.” Cullinane announced he would challenge Renna in a June 24 primary after the party endorsed Renna last month. Early voting runs from June 14 to 22. The seat is currently held by Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, who is stepping down at the end of 2025 due to term limits. Renna, who is also Lindenhurst’s deputy mayor, has served in village government since his appointment in 2017. He later won election to full terms in 2018 and 2020. Renna is credited with helping revitalize Lindenhurst Village, including negotiating to bring Sand City Brewing Company to the area, according to Barone. “RJ is young and has governmental experience,” Barone said. “He’s helped in the revival of the village and brings energy and commitment.” Cullinane, an attorney and longtime Lindenhurst resident, currently serves as the prosecutor for the Village of Brightwaters Justice Court and general counsel to the Wyandanch Public Library. He previously served for 28 years as Lindenhurst Village Clerk/Treasurer under four mayCONTINUED ON PAGE 2