Curran steps down; Hendrick appointed Lynbrook mayor

Village Hall will soon be a bit emptier with the absence of Brian Curran, who stepped down after nearly four years as Mayor at a Dec. 20 village board meeting.

Curran, who will join the state assembly next month, is the village 19th mayor.

“My sincere thank you to all the residents of this village for affording me to be the mayor of this great place for the past four years,” Curran said. “I will tell you in all honestly…there was not one morning that I woke in the past four years that I have not believed that I’ve been the luckiest person on the planet…Thank you for the faith, thank you for putting me to lead this village, thank you for your support which I have received more than I ever deserve, and lastly thank you for your friendship that I will treasure always. God Bless you and God Bless this village we call Lynbrook.”

Curran also gave a heartfelt thanks to each to the village trustees, volunteers and employees including his secretary, Mary Ann Hughes, who announced her retirement at the meeting. He noted that the village has come a long way in four years, moving toward more positive outlooks on issues.

Each of the board trustees offered words celebrating Curran, including Michael Hawkhurst. “Brian, it has been a pleasure to have the opportunity for the past two years with you and to work with an individual who cared so much about the village and the people here,” he said. “No one can imagine the tremendous amount of time that he gives to the residents of this village…while we are sad to see him go, it is going to be a great opportunity for this village and Albany to have him up there.” He noted that Curran expanded the village’s parks, sports programs for Seniors during his tenure.

Following Curran’s speech, Deputy Mayor Bill Hendrick was appointed by Trustee Alan Beach to the mayorship effective Jan 1, 2011. Curran’s last day is Dec. 31. Hendrick was then sworn in by Nassau County Legislator Francis Becker, making him the 20th mayor of the village. He will fill Curran’s unexpired term ending with the March 2011 village election.

“I have been on the board nearly 20 years,” Hendrick said. “It is great to step up to the middle slot. I am very excited and very prepared.”

Last month, Hendrick said he will focus on jobs, taxes and the economy in the mayor’s seat. But the first item on his agenda, he said, was to find someone to fill his vacant seat on the board, which will be up in the village election.

“Billy is smart, hardworking, and innovative,” Curran said at the meeting. “And I promise everyone in this village he will be an outstanding mayor.”

Beach added these words about Hendrick: “Billy is a kind, knowledgeable and well-liked person and has become a member of my family, “ he said. “And it is an honor to make this motion [to appoint him.]