By:John C. O'Connell
Mary Ellen Brocks of North Bellmore earns government award
North Bellmore's Mary Ellen Brocks was the proud recipient of the Town of Hempstead's prestigious Pathfinder Award, presented by Supervisor Richard Guardino last Tuesday. Brocks received the award in the government category.
Mary Ellen Brocks is a district office administrator for the New York State 14th Assembly District. According to the citation issued along with her award, "Mary Ellen goes above and beyond the call of duty in both her professional and volunteer endeavors. She volunteers her own time offering assistance to residents of the assembly district during evenings and weekends. She serves as the district's liaison to community organizations such as the Levittown Chamber of Commerce and the Seaford Wellness Council. For Mary Ellen, whose motto is, 'how can your government work with you,' no task is too big or small to handle.'
"In her senior staff position in the State Assembly, Mrs. Brocks admirably serves her fellow Town of Hempstead residents with outstanding assistance and guidance with state services.
"Although she assumed her current position with no prior government experience, Mary Ellen quickly utilized her skills to emphasize the true role of public service. She exemplifies the adage to treat others as you would want to be treated. This approach was surely implemented during her 10-year employment with St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church in East Meadow, where she still has many admirers to this day.
"Mary Ellen is completely dedicated to her position in government as a legislative aide. She will go out of her way to aid constituents whether in a restaurant, shopping mall, at a movie or a dinner-dance. She takes a personal interest in every constituent's phone call, and truly makes that person's problem her problem until she resolves the issue. What makes her work so exceptional is that she truly loves her job."
"Through the years," Guardino told the many well-wishers and town officials assembled in Town Hall, "women have successfully achieved well-deserved positions of leadership within our community, striving to reach their fullest potential as they continue to progress professionally. Their leadership role in our community and the myriad of contributions they have made have not been overlooked and deserve our highest praise."
"Our Pathfinder honorees, past and present, represent the many thousands of women whose daily vocation and avocation, although often taken for granted, strengthen the fiber of our community," Guardino said. "Through their accomplishments, they present positive role models for a younger generation to emulate."
The other award recipients were Joan Santos for arts and entertainment, Dr. Jacklyn Nogan for business, Gina Interdonato for education, Carol McKenna for community affairs, Dr. Marilyn Robertson for health services, high school senior Laura Sullivan, Marilyn Vallejo for humanitarian services, Dee Cornella for volunteering, Jane Serio as town employee and lindamichellebaron for the inspirational category.
