2011 — A year of change in Valley Stream

Another year comes to a close, one that saw a bit of change in Valley Stream, much of it for the good. In 2011, several key leadership positions changed hands. There was a new mayor, a new village clerk and two new school superintendents.

This year marked the first mayor’s election in the village since beloved leader Ed Cahill died last year. After being elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2003 and 2007, the United Community Party turned to seven-year trustee Ed Fare to lead their ticket.

Fare, a lifelong resident of Valley Stream and South High School teacher, was joined on the ballot by trustee candidates Vincent Grasso and Dermond Thomas, and longtime Village Justice Robert Bogle.

On the opposing side was a trio of Gibson residents. Joseph Margolin announced early on in the year that he would run for mayor. Joining his Citizens Independence Party ticket were trustee candidates Carol Crupi and Michael LoCascio. The three said they were going to work to have the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps reversed. In addition, the candidates said they wanted to work to improve overall quality of life in Valley Stream.

Fare and his team easily won election and almost immediately began their plans to expand recreation opportunities. Work began on the new dog park, expected to open next year near Village Hall (I have a cat, so I won’t be using it myself). The new skate park opened in September and plans have started to develop to overhaul the 50-year-old pool complex.

Bob Barra, who represented Valley Stream for 10 years in the New York state Assembly, was appointed the new Village Clerk.

In the schools, both District 13 and the Central High School District got new leaders. Dr. Bill Heidenreich, an assistant superintendent for seven years, was promoted to the top post of the high school district.

District 13 found its new leader from the outside, tapping veteran educator Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund to serve as its new superintendent.