Kreitzman Holds Off Surprise Challenger in Great Neck Village Election

In a surprisingly close race that wasn't officially called until early Wednesday morning, Village of Great Neck Mayor Ralph Kreitzman was reelected to his fourth term after withstanding a last-hour write-in challenge by candidate Pedram Bral.

Elected to a two-year term, Kreitzman received 325 votes to Bral's 232.

"I'm honored by the support of the community and I'm really very disappointed that our opponents ran a secret write-in candidate which deprived the community of an opportunity to focus on the issues," said Kreitzman following the election that was called at about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Kreitzman said he had never met Bral before Tuesday.

"You always worry about a write-in," said Kreitzman. "I didn't expect the magnitude of this."

Bral, a physician, said his secret campaign was put together on Monday "for the sake of the community." 

"I was willing to take the bullet for my community and I'm hoping that the message was given to them loud and clear," said Bral, seeking a "kinder and a more pleasant" village. 

Incumbent village Trustee Mark Birnbaum, won in the village justice race over write-in challenger Kambiz Akhavan, 321 to 225. 

Kreitzman will appoint a successor to Birnbaum, who has one year remaining on his term.

Incumbent trustees Mitchell Beckerman (316 votes) and Jeffrey Bass (320 votes) were reelected.

Write-in trustee candidates included two teachers, Christine Campbell and Anne Mendelson. Each received 226 votes in a losing effort.

"People are unhappy with the way things are going," said Campbell, a pre-school teacher at All Saints Church. "Great Neck has changed a lot, and not all for the good."

By 8:30 a.m. Tuesday three Nassau County police officers were at the polling location to help with an overflow of traffic and voters.

A line of voters extended out the front door of the polling site at Great Neck House well after the 9 p.m. registration deadline had passed. Those registered by the cutoff time were allowed a chance to cast their ballots. The last vote was made at about 9:45 p.m.

"We want a change," said village resident Isaac Kohannin, one of the last people waiting in line to vote. "There are certain issues I'm concerned about."

One voting machine ran out of paper at about 2 p.m. forcing the use of an additional machine.

Voting officials and attorneys discussed the vote count method as candidates waited nearby well after 11 p.m.

The votes of 19 residents were disqualified because of entry errors on their ballots, according to Joe Gill, an election official with the Village of Great Neck.

Election results will be certified at village hall Wednesday.