By Maylan L. Studart
The Village of Floral Park Board of Trustees held its annual reorganization meeting Monday, swearing in the incumbent administration to another term and unveiling a new portrait of former village President Raymond Stokely.
Associate Village Justice Perry Criscitelli administered the oath of office to village Justice Douglas J. Hayden, who in turn swore in Mayor Dominick A. Longobardi and Trustee Frank J. Chiara to another term. Edward W. McCarty III administered the oath of office to Trustee Lynn Pombonyo.
Hayden thanked his family, especially his son, Sean, for helping during his campaign. He said his son brought back memories of when he used to hand out literature for campaigns.
Longobardi said he was humbled by the number of residents who came out to vote and he thanked them for giving him the opportunity to serve for another two years. The mayor said he is proud of his team and grateful to start another term together.
“On behalf of myself and this board, thank you for the trust you have placed in us and we will continue to work diligently to improve our great community, to serve the family we are in the beloved Village of Floral Park,” the mayor said.
Longobardi appointed Trustee Kevin Fitzgerald as deputy mayor.
“I can confidently say that I have witnessed firsthand over the years the unique skills and talents that allow the village board to form and provide well thought out decisions,” Fitzgerald said. He congratulated Mayor Longobardi, Trustees Pombonyo and Chiara and Justice Hayden on their re-elections.
Ann Corbett, former mayor and president of the Historical Society, and Dennis McEnery, a member of the Conservation Society and Historical Society, unveiled the portrait of Raymond I. Stokely, who was president of Floral Park from 1921 to 1923. The title of president was changed to mayor in 1927.
Pombonyo was in a celebratory mood. “As we celebrate our former President Raymond Stokely and the unveiling of his portrait, we also thank former Mayor Ann Corbett and our very own historian Dennis McEnery for their wonderful gifts of passion and research that led to this interesting journey through time and tonight’s long-awaited special ceremony,” said Pombonyo.
Chiara thanked the public for his election to serve as trustee for another two years. He said he has been referred to as the baby trustee, but hopes he can now graduate to toddler.
Mayor Longobardi went on to swear in his appointees to committees and commissions.
