To the residents of East Williston: Thank you for electing me as one of your new village trustees. I am looking forward to the challenge and I fully accept the responsibilities bestowed upon me. As I said during the campaign, my commitment to you, and the village that we all call home, is dedication and thoughtful insight as I fulfill the duties related to the position of village trustee.
I am honored to be following in the footsteps of Mayor Nancy Zolezzi and Deputy Mayor Jim Daw who are exiting the positions after serving with dedication, grace, and dignity for many years. I am equally honored and look forward to serving with incumbent Trustees Braito and Ferro and look forward to learning from the fine example they both set. I am eager to take on the challenges with our new Mayor David Tanner. I am confident that Dave will serve this board with distinction in his new role.
Congratulations to my fellow new Trustee Caroline DeBenedittis. Caroline has been a neighbor and friend of mine since I moved into the village. There is no doubt that she will put in the time and passion into her new role and I look forward to working with her side-by-side to accomplish great things for our village.
Finally, I congratulate and thank Bobby and Lauren Shannon. As you know, Bobby and I ran as a team with Dave Tanner. My respect for Bobby grew every day of the campaign. He and his wife, who participated in many ways, took on the challenge of local village politics with the greatest dignity I have seen in a long time.
It was a privilege to go door-to-door with Bobby where resident-after-resident recognized Bobby as a local businessman and neighbor whose personal integrity never wavered. It was a privilege to participate in the campaign process with Bobby at my side. His wife, Lauren, maintained her dignity and demeanor at all times. Thank you both. I sincerely hope that either or both of you will consider participation in village government in the future.
Thank you to my family for their love and patience during the campaign. My personal campaign committee included my husband Kevin and my children Emma and Kevin Jr. as well as my parents, Patricia and Louis Santosus, and my siblings who all live nearby, Patti McCauley, Brian and Gary Santosus.
They offered their love and support throughout.
Bonnie Parente
Village of East Williston
