By Patti Mulligan
Mulry requested that the nomination be tabled until the August Board of Trustees meeting so she could review Casella's resume further and meet him in person.
Mayor Eugene Murray, however, described Casella, a lifelong resident of the village, as highly qualified, citing his years of experience, including many professional memberships and a stint as president of a building inspector's association. But despite the mayor's endorsement, Karamouzis also wanted to table Casella's appointment. "I consider it derelict to vote without meeting him," he said, explaining that he could not make an informed decision without meeting Casella face to face.
Wayne Lipton, who had Casella's resume in hand, said he was "the most qualified candidate I have ever seen" and agreed with the mayor that with several upcoming meetings on its agenda, the planning board needed a chairperson to be appointed. Trustee Jim Sutton also voted to approve Casella's nomination, while Mulry and Karamouzis abstained.
Prior to getting down to business, the new trustees were first sworn in, in the presence of proud family members who came to Village Hall just for the occasion. Karamouzis and Mulry took their oaths to preside over the legislation and budget of the village, along with current board members Monica P. Derr, secretary; Ronald J. Wasson, village administrator; Trustee James C. Sutton; Murray; Lipton, and Martha Krisel, village attorney. With 2,132 votes cast for her, Mulry led the pack in last month's hotly contested race, with Karamouzis garnering 1,932 votes, enough to earn him a berth on the board over candidates Edward Oppenheimer and former Trustee Greg Rinn.
Also sworn in was Village Justice Frank E. Yannelli, who was cross-endorsed by all of the village's major political parties and ran unopposed for the position. His oath of office was administered by Judge Robert C. Williams.
Mulry was administered the oath of office by her cousin, Nassau County District Court Judge Margaret C. Reilly. She thanked the many residents of Rockville Centre for their hard work during the last election, acknowledging that hundreds of residents participated, with some volunteers working up to 10 hours per day.
Mulry, an attorney who graduated from Duke University Law School, did not come to Rockville Centre without trepidation. She listened to residents who took part in local government, she said, thanking her mother, who instilled in her the value of teamwork and the ideal of working well with strong-minded and intelligent people.
With the recent departure of Mary Bossart, who did not seek re-election after serving two four-year terms, Mulry is currently the only woman on the board.
Karamouzis, a graduate of Fordham Law School, was administered his oath by Yannelli. He thanked his parents, Peter and Elena, his mother-in-law, Grace, and the hundreds of village residents who encouraged and supported his efforts.
Karamouzis said his campaign was an eye-opening experience in which he met hundreds of friends and neighbors. Acknowledging that he had many people to thank, he recognized his core campaign group, which was "dedicated beyond belief," hosting coffees and giving out fliers.
Both new trustees encouraged resident participation in local government and civic activities, saying it is very important to give back to the community. They urged residents to get involved in the community by donating their talents, skills and time. Said Karamouzis, "The village is what we make it - that is what affects our lives on a day-to-day basis."
Settling down to the business of running the village, Wasson was ready to put the new trustees to work with three action items. Board approval was granted for $35,000 in fees associated with the New York Association of Public Power, fees that represent the size of Rockville Centre's municipality. Wasson also sought board approval for $16,950 to repair a sewer main break in front of St. Agnes Cathedral School, which caused a partial street collapse and necessitated emergency repairs. Lastly, it was announced that taxes on the property at Cathedral Gardens, the almost-completed apartment complex adjacent to St. Agnes, were over-assessed by more than a third on January 1, 2005. The assessment was adjusted down to $15,146.
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