Village Election Results – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald
Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald thanked all of the Floral Park residents who came out and voted for him and Trustee Archie Cheng on Sept. 15 and stated that he looks forward to continue to serve as Trustee. He stated that he is honored and humbled by the show of support.
Department of Public Works – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald
Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald reported that the Department of Public Works has pretty much finalized the restoration of properties including tree stump removal and sidewalks damaged from the recent storm. He thanked DPW Superintendent Kevin Ginnane and Deputy Superintendent Joe O’Grady and the staff for their efforts. The drainage projects at Emerson/Lowell Avenues and Depan/West Hitchcock Avenues are complete except for the repaves. The completion of the Crocus/Elm Avenues phase was delayed due to a recent gas main leak, however, it should be completed by the end of the week.
Floral Park Police Department – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald
Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald thanked the Floral Park Police Department for their continued superior service protecting the Village of Floral Park and God Bless them all.
Trustee Pombonyo
Trustee Pombonyo congratulated Trustees Fitzgerald and Cheng on their re-elections. She is glad that they will continue on this Village Board team and honored to serve beside them.
Recreation and Pool Departments – Trustee Pombonyo
Great thanks go to Recreation Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, Pool Director Tom Dillon, Youth Program Director Bobby Bressmer, Assistant Pool Director Casey Naab, Administrator Gena King, Darlene Lanza and numerous pool and park employees who teamed together perfectly to deliver a completely enjoyable summer season featuring lots of warm, sunny days and pleasant evenings. The pool activities were complemented by our youth all-day camp program, morning sports, arts and crafts, and tennis, and adult fitness programs and tennis. This year’s very successful season ended with almost 1000 members and residents (not present all at the same time) enjoying the pool on a bright and sunny Labor Day, with a delicious Senior Picnic following. Only nine months until our 2021 pool opening!
Our summer Little League calendar came to an exciting conclusion on Tuesday evening as the Floral Park Brewers faced the Floral Park Dodgers in the Baseball Majors championship game. After the awesome pitching, batting and fielding displayed by both teams, congratulations go to the Brewers for their 10-5 victory. And thanks to Little League President Rich Provost, the Board of Directors, coaches and players for an exciting, memorable summer season.
Already, the park is busy with fall sports. Fall Little League, featuring thirteen softball and baseball teams and a Saturday 9 a.m. TeeBall clinic for boys and girls ages four to seven, is off and running. Wishing all a great season!
Another highlight of our fall sports season will be our Floral Park soccer teams. Starting this coming weekend, about 800 children will be playing on both intramural and travel teams at the park and Floral Park-Bellerose School. Thanks go to the park staff who have prepared the fields for this season’s practices and games.
Safety comes first with all of our park and sports programs. Superintendent Meyfohrt is working closely with representatives of all our sports teams to ensure that every team’s health and safety regulations are followed throughout the season. We invite all to come out and cheer for our enthusiastic local teams!
And, because there’s something for everyone, the Village of Floral Park Recreation Session I begins in the coming week. Featured are interesting classes and activities for our youth, adults and seniors. See the Recreation flyer on the Village website and Recreation/Pool Facebook pages. Registration is today, Sept. 16, and Thursday, Sept. 17. So much to enjoy, indoors and out, at our VFP Rec. Center!
Conservation Society – Trustee Pombonyo
A very special feature and source of great pride at Centennial Gardens is the Children’s Garden. As you enter the Floral Parkway main gate, be sure your child asks for the scavenger hunt directions which will lead to a very interesting tour around the Gardens. When you arrive at the Children’s Garden, your child will see our new paint with water activity next to Annie’s House. Also close by is the Girl Scouts’ Sensory Garden where visitors can enjoy the features of our Gardens through their senses of sight, smell and touch.
Enhancing the Gardens experience is a fall Recreation program for youth entitled “Gardening For Kids.” Held on Saturday mornings at Centennial Gardens, the children will explore gardening, take nature walks, and do crafts activities. Registration in advance is required. Our Gardens have something for everyone!
Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Pombonyo
With fall comes the start of the holiday season. Watch for surprises and special events at our Floral Park and Stewart Manor businesses at this festive time of year!
Fire Department – Trustee Cheng
“I want to thank all of the residents who voted this past Tuesday and for affording Kevin and me the privilege of representing the residents of Floral Park. I also want to thank Susan Walsh, our Police and Fire Departments and the Department of Public Works for all of their hard work in preparing and participating in our Sept. 11 remembrance. Our ceremony is one of the most reverent remembrances of that day that I have attended with bells tolling at the appropriate times, choir presentations and prayers from all of our clergy. Our ceremony brings to mind the loss and courageous acts of so many and rekindles the sense of unity we all felt as we recovered from that tragic day.”
Library – Trustee Chiara
The Library will continue to offer virtual programs this fall. A special upcoming program is Curbside Resume Writing with Ellen O’Brien. Please contact the Library to make an appointment. The Library will be hosting a Disney Trivia Challenge with a gift prize of a $25 Amazon gift card presented to the winner. Masks must still be worn when in the Library and please no congregating. Please check the Library’s YouTube and Facebook pages and its website www.floralparklibrary.org for details on all the wonderful activities that the Library has scheduled.
Building Department – Trustee Chiara
The Building Department continues to streamline online services and will be introducing architectural digital drawing submissions by year’s end for applicants to save paper and time.
CREW – Trustee Chiara
There will be CREW Jam sessions every Wednesday evening at 7PM hosted by music songwriter and performer Marco Conelli for young musicians or anyone who has a musical talent they would like to share – so please join in the fun.
Finally, congratulations to Kevin Fitzgerald and Archie Cheng for their re-election as Village Trustees. I would like to thank them for their dedication and hard work. As the “baby” Trustee, they have served as role models for me and as my mentors and I am very grateful. Best wishes in the upcoming term.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Longobardi
Mayor Longobardi opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. He asked for a moment of silence to remember those who have passed away from complications related to COVID-19, those loved ones we lost and honored due to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the 9/11 recovery works, and those who serve in the Armed Forces who continue to fight for and protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.
Mayor Longobardi congratulated Deputy Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald and Trustee Archie Cheng on their re-election as Trustees. He commended both Kevin and Archie on their dedicated and tireless service to the Village and residents of Floral Park. He is proud to serve on the Board of Trustees with them. Mayor Longobardi stated “Floral Park is the best Village in the entire nation and that he is lucky that Floral Park truly is such a “Great Place to Live”. Floral Park is a unique and vibrant community with its many civic, church, fraternal and volunteer organizations that are extremely active. He is honored to serve along with the entire Board of Trustees, including Trustees Lynn Pombonyo and Frank Chiara, all of whom are passionate about their work, and are a uniquely talented team of leaders who always deliver the best possible services to its residents and the public.
Mayor Longobardi thanked Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick, Village Clerk Susan Walsh, Deputy Village Clerk Rosaleen Shea, Research Assistant Darlene Lanza and the DPW staff on their efforts handling the re-scheduled Village election on Sept. 15 to ensure it was a safe event for voters following all of the COVID-19 compliance guidelines and mandates.
Mayor Longobardi reported that the Pool season went extremely well and a great time was had by all of the residents who enjoyed the pool facility. He and Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald recognized Trustee Lynn Pombonyo who executed a Pool Operation and Safety Plan to make this happen with special concerns for all COVID-19 related matters. Special thanks to the entire Pool and Recreation staff, including Recreation Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, Pool Director Tom Dillon, Supervisor Gena King and Research Assistant Darlene Lanza for such a great season. The Mayor especially thanked Village Clerk Susan Walsh for organizing another beautiful Village Town Hall Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony and all of the Police, Fire and DPW staff and volunteers who helped her with the ceremony.
Finally, Mayor Longobardi thanked all of the residents who cooperated with the many COVID-19 directives and guidelines. The residents embraced the social distancing and face mask mandates and were mindful of each of their fellow citizen’s health and safety. The new RecPro automated scheduling system allowed for safe scheduled pool times and everyone enjoyed bringing their own chairs to the pool and staking out safe lounging areas for themselves or their family groups. The residents made the job easier for all of the Village staff to help execute the Recreational and Pool Operations and Safety Plan so that all could enjoy the outdoor summer fun. Thank you everyone and please stay safe.
