Thursday, October 1, 2026
Rockville Centre Mayor Mary Bossart delivered her third annual State of the Village address to a small group in Village Hall Jan. 26, looking back on the past year and forward to what she sees happening in the village’s future.
The theme of Bossart’s speech was resiliency — the ability of both the government and its citizens to respond to sudden changes and problems. “Government services are no substitute for individual preparedness, responsibility and engagement,” she said. “Even as government itself prepares for foreseeable and potentially dangerous circumstances, so too should our residents. None of us can control events such as snow, hurricanes, heat waves or unusually heavy rainstorms, or keep them from happening.”
The mayor also called for residents to be more involved in all levels of government. “Citizen participation is an essential part of municipal government,” she said. “Too often we may think of local government as our servant rather than as a partner.”
Expanding on that idea, Bossart outlined ways in which residents can contribute to the community. One such way, for “residents who feel a call to a greater commitment to the welfare of their neighbors,” is to volunteer for either the Fire Department or the Auxiliary Police.
“Both of these organizations provide a valuable service,” Bossart said. “Both will train volunteers, both need your help and both provide a sense of engagement and accomplishment that you will find nowhere else.”
She also suggested that citizens participate by volunteering for local organizations and the citizen committees that advise the Board of Trustees. “Civic participation is more than just voting,” she said. “We need you to participate in the life of our community in as many ways as you can. Volunteering for local organizations, attending our annual special events, following the village government, patronizing village businesses, taking advantage of our many recreational, civic and cultural opportunities, staying current with the information provided in our newsletter, on our Web site and our cable channel.”
