By Esther McKenna
Mayor appoints Amato's successor
Mayor Eugene Murray moved quickly last week to replace village Trustee, Chris Amato, by appointing Jack Matthews as her successor last Friday, one day after her resignation.
Rumors of Ms. Amato's departure from the board had been circulating for weeks before village officials confirmed the action was to officially take place last Thursday. Acting quickly, Mayor Murray chose Jack Matthews, a long-time resident and lawyer practicing in the village, from a short list of candidates that included Planning Board member Bill Croutier and Zoning Board president Jeff Greenfield.
At the time of her resignation, Ms. Amato's position on the board was twofold; she was a village trustee as well as the deputy mayor. Whether or not the new appointee will assume the duties of deputy mayor has not been decided, said Mayor Murray. "A choice is usually made from a trustee that is in the mayor's political party," he said.
Trustee Wayne Lipton and Mr. Matthews are the only members of the board who belong to the mayor's political party, the Home Rule Party. Members of the village board who belong to the Concerned Citizens party include veterans Bud Cosgrove and Mary Bossart.
"Jack did an excellent job working with a bi-partisan group for the village's 100th anniversary. He is intelligent, diligent and organized," said trustee Bossart. "While on the planning board, Jack was articulate in his reasoning and respectful of others. I look forward to working with Jack and expect that he will continue to work in a bi-partisan matter for the benefit of the whole village."
The position of deputy mayor is a statutory post that does not include the right of succession. According to village bylaws, the responsibilities of the deputy mayor include fulfilling all of the mayor's duties in his absence. "The deputy mayor stands in for the mayor. He or she will occasionally sign actions that have a time constraint attached to them whenever the mayor is not available," said Ms. Bossart. "The deputy does not step into the mayor's shoes if, for some unforeseen reason he is not able to perform his duties."
Mr. Matthews, of the Rockville Centre law firm of Gallagher & Matthews, served for 10 years on the village Planning Board, has chaired the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee and co-chaired the village Centennial Commission. Mr. Matthew's term on the Planning Board expired on July 10 when he was replaced by Donna Joyce, according to Planning Board president, Mary Beth Kearns. "Jack did an excellent job for the Planning Board and I'm sure he'll continue to do a great job for the village. [Members of the Planning Board] will miss him," said Ms. Kearns.
Mr. Matthews thanked Mayor Murray "for the confidence he has expressed in me by selecting me for this position" and said he is looking forward to working with the other trustees.
"Jack Matthews is a very fine attorney and has proven himself to be a concerned and active resident," said mayor Murray. "I have twice appointed him to the planning board and as special counsel to the zoning board of appeals. In all instances, he has provided excellent services."
Mr. Matthews, 51, a certified public accountant and an electrical engineer as well as a lawyer, said he sees his role on the board of trustees as "making sure the village delivers services to its residents.
"People move to Rockville Centre because it is a type of community that they want to live and raise a family in. I believe it is the responsibility of the board to offer the best programs, facilities and opportunities to residents of Rockville Centre and their families. I've had a lot of experience working on various projects in the village and this appointment gives me another opportunity to have a positive impact on the community."
Mr. Matthews is an active member of St. Agnes Parish and is chairman of this year's annual parish celebration. He also managed the first Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade and has co-chaired the Mayor's Community Fund Golf Outing.
He is married to the former Janice Neller and they have three children: Sean, 19, who attends the College of William and Mary; Brian, 15, a student at St. Regis High School; and Jennifer, 9, a student at St. Agnes Cathedral School.
Ms. Amato was appointed to the village board in June 1997, immediately after former deputy mayor Eugene Yourch resigned. She won a special election to complete Mr. Yourch's term in 1998 and won her own four-year term in June 1999. Mr. Matthews will face an election for the remaining two years of Ms. Amato's term in June 2001.
