From the mouths of babes: WP officials’ lines delivered

Richard Tedesco

The mayor of Williston Park began Saturday’s meeting by asking for a moment of silence for all those who died during the recent storms and for families adversely affected by them.

The mayor then thanked all village employees for their service during the storms, particularly Keith Bunnell, superintendent of the village Department of Public Works and building inspector Kerry Collins, as well as the fire department.

Also thanked were Village of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss and Tom Rini, that village’s superintendent of Public Works, for their assistance in the hurricane’s wake.

None of which was unexpected except for the person speaking – St. Aidan School fourth grader Colleen Dorrian, who was among five students assuming the roles of Williston Park officials for a day.

Doreen had been assigned to take the role of Village of Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar – a part she clearly enjoyed.

“I was in charge,” said Colleen, when asked what she liked about it.

Colleen and the four other fourth graders who earned a chance to serve as public officials for a day were winners of the village’s annual essay contest.

“I felt like I was the real village clerk,” said Christina Varghese, a fourth grader at the Center Street School who represented Village Clerk Julie Kain.

Taking their cues from the individual trustees whose roles they assumed, the grade schoolers delivered the trustees’ reports and read their essays. They also passed a resolution to pay the village bills, just as the real trustees would have done.

In his report on the storm’s aftermath, Bunnell said a total of 150 trees were felled in the village during Hurricane Sandy. He said 30 streets were blocked by fallen trees, and 31 the trees fell on houses. He also reported 30 light poles were toppled.

“Up until today, we still have crews out removing trees,” Bunnell said.

He said between 60 and 80 trees in danger of falling in another storm are still to be removed, but indicated the DPW crews are making steady progress on removing them.

Each of the village trustees commended Bunnell and his staff for their work.

Speaking on behalf of village Trustee Teresa Thomann, Center Street School student Victoria Joseph also commended the residents for their response to the storms.

“Neighbor helping neighbor is nothing new in Williston Park,” Victoria said.

Speaking on behalf of village Trustee Michael Uttaro, St. Aidan student Robert DiMilia thanked village employees and members of the fire department, saying, “Whether paid or volunteer, you left your families to help the residents of the village.”

The student-officials’ essays revealed what each of them would do if they were mayor of Williston Park.

Colleen Dorrian said as mayor, she would enact rules against littering, among other things.

“If people should follow the mayor’s rules, we would have a great town,” she said.

Robert DiMilia had a slightly grander vision, saying he would build a sports center with batting cages and ping pong tables.

Sounding a theme common among adult politicians, Victoria Joseph said she would bring taxes down.

“Taxes should be lowered because some people don’t have enough money to pay the taxes,” she said.

Christine Varghese said, “I would save money for the poor so they could go to school.”

Village Trustee William Carr was absent, so St. Aidan student Kieran Gilbert wasn’t there to read his essay.

Lily Nguyen, a Center Street School student representing village Deputy Mayor Kevin Rynne, said she would build a giant playground so kids could have more fun. She also expressed a sentiment likely shared by all residents after the recent storms.

“I would want to see everyone happy and safe,” she said.

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