Scouts get lesson in local government

Cub Scouts spent an evening at Valley Stream Village Hall, getting to learn about the inner-workings of local government and seeing the court system in action.

About a half-dozen scouts from Cub Scout Pack 85, Den 4, spent more than an hour with Deputy Mayor Joanne Antun, who took them on a tour of the building on Jan. 19. The scouts, who are from Lynbrook, got to learn a little bit more about their neighbor to the west. Antun talked about the size of Valley Stream, the structure of the village government, and the various services it offers.

As part of the tour, Antun showed the scouts the wall in the main lobby which features the picture of everyone who has served as a mayor or a village trustee. She also pointed out several historical photographs of Valley Stream, and plaque featuring the names of every village resident that has become an Eagle Scout — the highest rank in scouting.

Director of Code Enforcement Sal Constanzo talked about the various departments located at Village Hall. And Antun talked about the garbage trucks, snow plows, fire department and sign shop. “You really don’t realize how big Valley Stream is,” she said, “until you start taking in all the various components of it.”

The scouts took a trip to the mayor’s office, where she works every weekday. Antun showed them the village flag and seal, and talked to them a little about late Mayor Ed Cahill and his contributions to Valley Stream.

Also dropping by was Ken Heino, who discussed his role as president of the Valley Stream Youth Council. Heino shared the many service activities done by youth council teens to better the community, such as the annual park clean-up. He also talked about his job in county government, where he works for the Department of Consumer Affairs.

And the scouts learned about the local newspaper, the Valley Stream Herald, to communicate with residents about village, school and community news.

The scouts on the tour were Xavier Burke-Callahan, Brian Egan, Brendan Larkin, Eric Levine, Brandon Maroney, Jason Shao and Richard Wiater. They are all fourth-grade students at West End School in Lynbrook, and Webelo scouts with Pack 85, based out of Our Lady of Peace Church. Levine’s parents, David and Antionette, know Antun and arranged the tour.

After visiting the mayor’s office, the scouts met with Village Justice Bob Bogle, who talked to them about the village court. Bogle explained how the Wednesday night court sessions are structured, talked about plea bargaining and told them some of the best excuses he has heard as a judge.

Bogle also introduced the scouts to the many “players” in the courtroom including the prosecutors, court clerks, court reporter and auxiliary police officers. He told scouts that the record fine the Valley Stream Court ever collected was $7,850 for unpaid parking tickets. Each scout also got a gavel pencil to take home.

The judge also shared his own experiences as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, and mentioned that his two sons are Eagle Scouts. “I am still very friendly with a lot of the guys I knew in scouting,” he said.

When court began, each scout got a speaking role, from “Please rise” to “Judge Bogle presiding” to “Please be seated.” The scouts then sat with Bogle on the bench for the duration of the court session.