Plandome Manor Faces Contested Village Election While Neighboring Plandome Runs Unopposed

Plandome Manor will be the only village in Manhasset holding contested elections on Wednesday, March 18, according to local election records.

Trustees Patricia O’Neill and Peter Kulka face challenges from the Community First ticket featuring Eric Kattan and Sanaz Sadjadi Armstrong. The race marks a departure from typical village elections in the area, where candidates often run unopposed.

O’Neill has served as a trustee for over 10 years, while Kulka enters his first election after being appointed to fill a vacancy. Kulka previously served on the design review board for over 15 years, according to village records.

Both incumbents said their challengers contested their ballot petitions, forcing the matter before the County Board of Elections. The board gave the trustees three days to make corrections, including numbering petition pages and addressing issues with some signatories who were not registered to vote in the village.

“We found it very peculiar that our petitions were challenged,” Kulka said. “Every detail was scrutinized and brought up to the County Board of Elections for review.”

The challenger candidates did not respond to interview requests, but their campaign website outlines their backgrounds and priorities. Sadjadi Armstrong describes herself as “a mother of three elementary schoolchildren” who “spent 12 years serving New York City families as a teacher and school administrator.”

Kattan identifies as “a father of two elementary schoolchildren” and “a financial executive with over 25 years of experience” who “has led operations and technology initiatives across several complex industries.”

Infrastructure improvements have emerged as a central campaign issue. The challengers call for increased transparency and infrastructure updates, stating on their website that “many residents have expressed concerns about the condition of our local infrastructure. Issues such as insufficient sidewalks and overall pedestrian safety deserve focused attention.”

O’Neill countered by highlighting the current board’s infrastructure achievements during her tenure. “I’m proud to have contributed to securing over $2.5 million in grant funding for vital capital projects,” O’Neill said. She cited road improvements, LED street lighting conversions, reflective sign replacements meeting state standards, and rebuilding the Leeds Pond culvert with Town of North Hempstead assistance.

“We’ve done a lot,” she said.

Looking ahead, Kulka said he plans to add crosswalks if re-elected, while O’Neill noted the village recently secured grant money to widen a turn on Plandome Road.

Local parking enforcement has also become a campaign flashpoint. Kattan has attended board meetings to voice concerns about Circle Drive, where he lives, being used for drop-offs and pick-ups at the Plandome Long Island Rail Road station.

“Eric is upset about parking enforcement,” O’Neill said. The board hired a code enforcement officer to monitor the area in response. “We’ve been trying to work with him,” she said.

Kulka acknowledged the challenge of addressing the parking issue given Kattan’s proximity to the LIRR station. “It’s a hard situation to do something about,” Kulka said. “If this is the biggest problem that can possibly exist, then I think we have a great village.”

Meanwhile, the neighboring Village of Plandome will hold uncontested elections on Tuesday, March 17, with three trustees seeking two-year terms without challengers.

Rich Dunphy, a village resident since 2012 who was appointed in October to fill a vacancy, said he looks forward to the challenge. “The learning curve is steep,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to have the backing of a board that wants me to succeed.”

Robert Broderick, an eye surgeon for 50 years involved in local politics for about 10 years, runs for his fourth trustee term. At 76, Broderick indicated this will likely be his final term, citing the importance of succession planning in village leadership.