Berland, Cook, Raia, Bivona sworn in for new terms
Huntington Station – Town Council Members Susan A. Berland and Eugene Cook, Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia and Tax Receiver Ester Bivona took their oaths of office publicly at a January 3 ceremony that featured remarks from all four, musical performances by Walt Whitman High School students and an appearance by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York).
“Every one of them represents the best of Long Island,” Sen. Schumer told the audience of approximately 200. “They have been involved for a long time in community activities. They have worked hard…Huntington is a town that really needs good elected officials to look after them…Today, you have chosen four outstanding people to lead you.”
In their remarks, the Council members looked ahead to what they would like to achieve in their next terms.
Councilwoman Berland called for a greater understanding among all those involved in government and the electoral process. “Understanding has many meanings,” she said, focusing on the definition of understanding as “the highest sense of compassion and empathy. It is the ability and the willingness to try to appreciate, to feel what it is like to walk a mile in another person’s shoes…Where has that kind of understanding, that sense of our humanity and compassion gone?... If this past election is any indication, understanding was lost. But was it lost forever? Oh, no, I’m too much of a positive person to believe that. I am determined to remain an understanding person, no matter how others behave.”
Councilman Cook spoke of the need for those in government to work together to achieve goals. “It is very important that we get out and work together to get things done, perhaps a new parking garage in Huntington Village, Huntington Station revitalization and getting it better, safety and clean waters. These are important things to me. I believe they are important things to you,” he said.
Tax Reveiver Bivona and Town Clerk Raia both thanked their staffs for helping them run their offices efficiently. “We all took oaths today to faithfully perform the duties of the offices we were elected to. These are important jobs, and we will all do them for the benefit of the residents of the Town of Huntington,” Tax Receiver Bivona said.
Town Clerk Raia, who last year became the longest serving Town Clerk in Huntington history, said, “As your town clerk, I pledge to continue to work full time and to provide complete and effective services to the residents of the Town of Huntington. I pride myself on having an open door policy at all times and will continue to do so.”
Supervisor Frank P. Petrone delivered some brief opening remarks before, citing his recent back surgery, turning over the master of ceremonies duties to Councilman Mark Cuthbertson. Councilwoman Tracey A. Edwards and Highway Superintendent Peter Gunther also attended.
The Walt Whitman High School Brass Ensemble and representatives from the Walt Whitman High School orchestra played musical selections. Walt Whitman students Pamela Carey and Tyler Zeoli sang the National Anthem.
Participating clergy included the Rev. Stephen Donnelly, Church of St. Patrick, Huntington; Rabbi Susie Heneson Moskowitz, Temple Beth Torah, Melville; the Rev. Jerry J. Artis, Love of Christ Fellowship Church, Huntington; and the Rev. Dr. Luonne Abram Rouse, United Methodist Church, Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor.
Among the groups participating in the color guard were the Greenlawn, Huntington, Huntington Manor, Northport, East Northport and Cold Spring Harbor Fire Departments; the Marine Corps League Huntington Detachment; the Elwood/Commack #9263 and Nathan Hale #1469 Veterans of Foreign War Posts; Jewish War Veterans Post #488; and the Greenlawn #1244 and Northport #694 American Legion Posts.
The Town also thanked the South Huntington Union Free School District for allowing use of the high school for the ceremony and several businesses that contributed food for the reception that followed the ceremony: Commack Premier Diner, Dix Hills Diner, Golden Dolphin Diner, Integrity Golf, La Casa Café, Munday’s, Sweet Mama’s, Blondie’s Bakery, Copenhagen Bakery, Hummel Hummel Bakery and King Kullen.
In the photo: seated (l-r): Tax Receiver Ester Bivona, Councilman Susan A. Berland, Supervisor Frank P. Petrone and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson. Standing (l-r): Councilman Eugene Cook, Northport Mayor George Doll, Councilwoman Tracey A. Edwards, Highway Superintendent Peter Gunther, Asharoken Deputy Mayor Pam Pierce, Assemb. Andrew Raia, the Rev. Jerry Artis; the Rev. Dr. Luonne Abram Rouse, Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia, Northport Trustee Damon McMullen and the Rev. Stephen Donnelly.