Locust Valley Attorney Fills Town Board Vacancy

The Oyster Bay Town Board's choice for a vacant seat on the town board is Locust Valley attorney Michele Johnson.

The surprise choice at Tuesday's meeting took the oath of office administered by Supervisor John Venditto. Her mom, sister and one of her three children were present at the swearing in.

Johnson, 38, is a graduate of Syracuse Law School and went earned her law degree from New York University. She is married to Randy Johnson, and together they have three children.

She replaces former Councilwoman Beth Faughnan, who resigned in March to become deputy executive director of NuHealth System, which runs Nassau University Medical Center. Faughnan is also from Locust Valley.

Johnson is a licensed real estate broker and member of the Long Island Board of Realtors. She administered the Job Training Partnership Act for the Town of Oyster Bay, where she assisted people seeking employment update and enhance their skills, according to the town.

Johnson, a Republican who has not held public office, will have to run in November to retain her seat, town officials said.