East Rockaway Coalition forms new board

The Coalition for Youth in East Rockaway held its annual reorganization meeting on Monday night, replacing four of the five positions that were vacated by board members who have stepped down.

“I want to make it clear that I am still part of the coalition,” said resigning President Theresa Barto, who has held the position since the organization was founded in 2010. “I’m still on the steering committee. It’s just time to hand the reins over to someone else.”

That someone else is Stephanie Johanson, the only member of the old board who remains on the new one. Johanson, a mother of three and grandmother of one, acknowledged that she is outspoken and has many ideas that she wants to implement. “We are looking forward to strengthening relationships with local law enforcement, the village and resources outside of our village to further support our mission,” she said.

Dr. Richard Meagher, a former deputy mayor of East Rockaway and the coalition’s founder, accepted the nomination for 1st vice president. Meagher and his siblings, as well as his own four children, are all graduates of East Rockaway High School.

Newcomer Susan Cassano was elected 2nd vice president. Cassano has two grandsons at the junior and senior high school and one grandchild in kindergarten at Rhame Avenue Elementary School. “It’s part of the reason I’m here,” she said. “It’s tough being a teenager, and we need to give them help and encouragement. Anything we can do to direct them away from some of the things that come their way …”

Connie Cicero, a mother of three, will become the coalition’s secretary. Colleen Fusco will serve as treasurer. She also has three children, all of whom are involved in scouting.

School social worker Kristen Mednick recalled that when the coalition was formed, there was a lot of frustration that it could not change things right away. “We need to focus on the people that we can reach,” Mednick said. “We need to relaunch programs such as Safe Homes Parents Network, where parents sign a pledge not to serve alcohol to minors in their homes. We can’t drag a police officer to arrest kids, but we can make the parents aware.”

Mednick added that parents would be able to see others who have signed the pledge, and make it the new “norm” that they will not tolerate substance abuse among their children.

Meagher agreed that coalition members should remember the three “legs” of the organization: education, programs and enforcement — and recommended that everyone in attendance bring a friend to the next meeting. “We need to get the word out to parents and children that we are here and we’re not going away,” he said.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 21 at 7 p.m. in the East Rockaway High School band room. For more information, visit Coalition for Youth in East Rockaway on Facebook.