Bipartisan government was ushered into the Town of Oyster Bay earlier this week when four Democratic candidates were sworn into office at the induction ceremony for the once Republican-dominated town government.

Councilman Anthony Macagnone, Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler, Town Clerk Offerman, and Receiver of Taxes John Stefanich had each won elections over Republican candidates in November. Supervisor John Venditto and Councilman Joe Muscarella, Republicans, had been re-elected to their second term in office.

After his swearing in at the afternoon induction ceremony at Town Hall, Supervisor Venditto lauded the town government for providing a broad spectrum of services for all of its residents and welcomed the input of his Democratic colleagues. He additionally warned, however, against persons politicizing town issues in the new era.

"There are forces and interests at work that would love nothing more than to take our beautiful town in a totally different direction and it is a direction that would not be consistent to the quality of life that we now enjoy," said Venditto. "We are at a crossroads. This past election day our residents spoke and they made it very clear that they want serious bipartisan leadership in the Town of Oyster Bay.

He continued, "So anyone who is interested in meeting that challenge is certainly welcome, but anyone, on either side of the aisle, who is interested in turning the Town of Oyster Bay into a political playground will not be welcome."

Eisler and Macagnone, who represent the first time that two Democrats have sat on the board at the same time, also spoke of working with the board majority to address issues ranging from responsible development to providing services for senior citizens.

"Oyster Bay is a diverse community, rich with different points of view," said Eisler. "It is not only agreeing about the things we have in common, but building a consensus when we differ that makes us great and enables us to meet the challenges that we face."

Prior to swearing in Venditto and Muscarella, former Supervisor and current Supreme Court Justice John Burke assured the audience of over five hundred that the new bipartisan government is not something to be feared. He cited several instances over the past 40 years where Democratic candidates have won seats on the Town of Oyster Bay board.

"As a result of all of that, the institution that we know as the Town of Oyster Bay has not suffered from diversity," said Burke. "As a matter of fact to all those who have been elected . . . come to this government with a mandate. That mandate is to do what the voters of the Town of Oyster Bay expect them to do. That is to put away, when possible, their philosophical and political differences and to work . . . conflict into consensus and achieve that for the greatest number and the greatest good."

Joining in the proceedings were Nassau County Legislator and Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs and US Senator Charles Schumer. Among the other notables in attendance were former Town Supervisor Lew Yevoli and Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta.