With a critical election on the horizon, residents of the Village of Lake Success gathered Sunday for a “Meet the Candidates” forum to evaluate the future of their local government.

The event highlighted a sharp divide between a slate of incumbents emphasizing decades of experience and a group of challengers calling for modernized communication and increased transparency.

The Mayoral Race: Stability vs. Change

The race for mayor anchors the ballot, featuring incumbent Adam Hoffman, who is seeking another term after nearly 30 years of village involvement, and challenger Anthony Baek, a member of the Lake Success Golf Commission and president of an electrical supply company. Baek argued that the village’s leadership has become disconnected from the public.

Hoffman centered his platform on his long-term experience and his ability to manage the village’s unique commercial landscape. “There is a large portion of this community that is commercial-based,” Hoffman said, noting that a majority of local property is owned by the hospital system. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring the commercial sector “pays its taxes” to sustain essential village services.

Highlighting his fiscal record, Hoffman cited his success in securing $2 million from Northwell Health despite the organization’s tax-exempt status. He also pointed to $1.1 million in funding he obtained for a local park track as evidence of his effectiveness.

Baek’s campaign, however, is built on the premise that the village is overdue for a change in how it communicates with its citizens. “I want to change everything on the tax side,” Baek said, proposing a review of spending to find cuts while seeking new revenue streams to lower the burden on residents.

Baek frequently returned to the issue of transparency, specifically criticizing the village website. He noted that the current budget was unavailable online, with only the previous year’s documents posted. “The website looks like it’s from the 1990s,” agreed trustee candidate Timothy Parker, echoing Baek’s sentiment that the village’s digital presence is an obstacle to public access.

Hoffman defended the current administration, stating he relies on village staff to manage the website while he maintains a full-time job. “To be a mayor, you have to learn every day,” Hoffman said. He also pushed back against Baek’s calls for budget cuts, particularly regarding the police department, which accounts for 52% of village spending. Hoffman argued the village is “getting its money’s worth.”

When asked about police funding, Baek replied, “That’s a conversation we are going to have.”

Source: LI Press