The Village of Garden City's Annual Organizational Meeting was an opportunity for residents, trustees, and members of the staff to welcome the village's two new trustees, while at the same time commending outgoing Mayor Harold Hecken for his years of service to the community.

The evening began with the re-installation of Village Justice Allen S. Mathers, by New York State Supreme Court Justice Stephen A. Bucaria. Judge Bucaria commented on the fact that the village justices in Garden City "will see more people in one month than I see in one year." He added that Garden City has been rightfully proud of the justices that have been selected. He further commended the volunteers who have chosen to govern the village as trustees.

Incoming Mayor Robert Lewis, following his induction noted that former Mayor Hecken sacrificed over nine years for the village, first as a trustee and then for two years as mayor. He then thanked Hecken and his wife for all the missed birthdays, dinners, anniversaries, etc. that went along with his tenure and asked each department head and trustee to say a few words to Hecken.

Recreation Commissioner Paul Blake added his commendation to Lewis'. "Mayor Hecken, you come to the village board, I believe, like so many other trustees from your initial service on the recreation commission, as a member of that esteemed body, and on behalf of everybody on the commission and the recreation department, I'd like to thank you for bringing your thoughtful attitude to the commission, your enthusiasm for new projects and for new ideas and for the guidance you gave us," said Blake.

Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo stated, "Mayor Hecken, it's been a pleasure serving with you for the many years you've been on the board ... You've always been very supportive of the police department, always there for us ... Thank you, we wish you the best in your retirement." Following the police commissioner, the captain of the fire department, Captain Shields, stated, "Mayor Hecken, Hal, you were fire commissioner for a short time, I've known you and your wife personally for many years, you've always been great to the fire department, always been a part of anything we ever had planned and made sure it was done right. I thank you for your time and you efforts on behalf of all of the fire department, best of luck."

Robert Mangan, director of public works, stated, "It's been a pleasure to serve for you, this last year was very exciting with all the snowstorms we've had, and I hope public works served you well." Michael Filippon, superintendent of building, noted that he has watched Mayor Hecken deal with many adversities and said that Hecken has always impressed him with his "profound kindness and sense of caring," he brought to everything he has done. Village Auditor James Olivo also thanked Hecken for his service and wished him well in the future. "Your counsel has always been good, you've always been a gentleman and congratulations on a job well done", said Olivo. Brian Ridgeway, who last year joined Garden City as village clerk, thanked Hecken for appointing him to that position and said that he enjoyed serving for him last year.

Village Counsel Gary Fishberg said that he always enjoyed working with Hecken and stated, "Hopefully the two disappointments we've had recently, will not be laid on your shoulders and will be reversed and you'll be known as the mayor who was successful in some of the things we may have let you down on," referring to the village's loss in the lawsuit dealing with the St. Paul's property and the recent announcement that the judge reversed the decision regarding the expansion of Roosevelt Field. Hecken responded that he was counting on Fishberg for that.

Robert Schoelle, village administrator, said, "Mayor Hecken, it truly has been an honor to work with and for you over the many years, particularly the last two years, during your term as mayor. I believe my colleagues on staff have said things very articulately. We all agree, you have been very fair, very kind in all your dealings and extremely supportive."

One of the village's two newest trustees, Jon Segerdahl, commented that it is unfortunate that he never had an opportunity to serve as a trustee with Hecken but noted that Hecken served the residents of the eastern section of the village very well and thanked Hecken on behalf of the East.

Trustee John Mauk, who was appointed as trustee by Hecken, said that he owed his first term as trustee to him. "I applaud your courage under fire for some of the things you went through and I personally want to thank you for your guidance and support over the past year," said Mauk. "I salute you for your dedication and devotion to the village and to this board for the past several years."

Trustee Brian Murray also thanked the former mayor for his guidance and for his dedication to the village. The second new trustee, Peter Negri, commented on the high standards that Hecken set with regard to the time, talent and efforts on behalf of the village and stated that Hecken has been an inspiration.

Trustee Peter Bee explained that Hecken first got him involved in the Eastern Property Owners' Association. He added that in the years that he has known Hecken, he has considered him, "a mentor, a role model, and a consensus builder."

Trustee Gerard Lundquist said that it has been a pleasure to serve under him during his two years as mayor and added that Hecken always handled himself in a very professional, very dignified manner which he said exemplifies what a mayor should be to the residents. Trustee, Dr. Barbara Miller noted that she only had one year serving on the board with Hecken, but added that Hecken was always very professional. She said that she got to know Hecken a little better when she was president of the CPOA and the members came before him. "You were very fair in listening to us," said Miller. She added that Hecken was always present at his POA meetings and said she hoped that he served as an inspiration in that aspect of service to other trustees.

Mayor Lewis noted that he and Hecken began on the board the same year, and both went through contested elections in their first election. He further noted that since that time, he and Hecken have shared a number of committees. Lewis further commended Hecken for the many events in the village that Hecken attended, commenting that even on his last day as mayor, Hecken attended an Eagle Court of Honor for two Eagle Scouts from the village. He then spoke about the many accomplishments that were achieved under Hecken's guidance, such as the study of the acquisition of St Paul's, a committee on which both Hecken and Lewis served. He concluded by once again thanking Hecken and his wife, Val, for all the sacrifices they made for the village.

Hecken then said how pleased he was to hear the nice word said by all the staff and board members. "Bob Lewis is going to do a great job as mayor and I wish all of the trustees well," said the former mayor. Hecken then went on to thank Schoelle for helping all the trustees and for helping him during his tenure as mayor. He commented that the village was very lucky to have Schoelle as village administrator. " A lot of good things happened during the nine years I was on the board ... There are a lot of people who have volunteered in the village ... We are very blessed in Garden City tax-wise, service-wise, the beauty of the town, the one thing we did accomplish this past year was the completion of the beautification of Franklin Avenue. I've seen that many stores are coming back now, Doubleday, Waterzooi, the Oyster Bar, across the street at A&S..."

Later in the meeting, each of the trustees then welcomed Jon Segerdahl and Peter Negri to the board and Segerdahl and Negri each expressed their appreciation for the public's support in the recent election. During the public portion of the meeting Richard Schrafel, president of the Estates Property Owners' Association thanked Hecken and outgoing trustee Bruce Torino for their service and said that as the incoming president of the Joint Conference of the Property Owners' Associations, he hopes to be able to follow in the footsteps of Segerdahl, who formerly held that position. He went on to congratulate the new trustees and mayor.

Althea Robinson, executive director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the new trustees and mayor and thanked Hecken and Torino for their years of service.

Nick Episcopia, the new president of the Eastern Property Owners' Association, thanked Hecken on behalf of the EPOA for his many years of service and the many difficult issues he dealt with. "Everything that he did do, in the time that I've known Hal, was clearly done for the common good and he sacrificed himself many, many times and made an awful lot of difficult decisions, which I really believe were done because he sincerely believed they were for the common good." He then went on to thank Segerdahl, the EPOA outgoing president for his service to that organization and to the joint conference. "Jon also tried to be very even-handed, gave everybody an opportunity to voice their opinions on whatever issues happened to come up and again worked tirelessly for the good of all of us." He also congratulated Negri and commented that he worked with him, also on the joint conference, and wished Negri luck on behalf of the EPOA.

The final speaker, Robert Nouryan, the interim president of the Central Property Owners' Association, congratulated the trustees and commented that he looked forward to seeing Hecken around in the village.