While bagpipes sang, and the color guard soared, more than 300 people crowded into the main chambers of City Hall in the City of Glen Cove to witness the inauguration of the first woman mayor in the city's 300-plus year history. Mary Ann Holzkamp comes to the office of mayor after eight years of consecutive service to the Glen Cove City Council. She brings with her a promise to continue working in the direction the city has traveled these last eight years under the leadership of Thomas Suozzi, aware that her administration must also do its part to aid citizens still terribly touched and wounded by the events of September 11. She declared that "We are diverse, we are free, we are strong, and we will be made stronger by being tested by these current world events."

Her promise is for a team committed to fiscal stability, the protection of our environment, the health and safety of our citizens and the quality of life in each and every neighborhood. Included in that is a commitment to the "well-being of our senior citizens, to the needs of our youth...we are committed to those who protect us and enforce our laws..."

Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Glen Cove Planning Board Member and close friend of the incoming mayor, Robert Benazzi welcomed the guests, and introduced the newly elected City Council. City Court Judge Joel B. Meirowitz then swore in the new council. Notable for being the only neophyte member is former Deputy Mayor Anzelmo Graziosi. The other returning veteran members are Michael G. Norman, Dr. Albert Granger, Joan Meehan, Joseph Gioino and Tony Jimenez.

Also participating in the ceremonies were the children and grandchildren of city officials who led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Ashanti Douglas, who sang The Star Spangled Banner, Rev. Thomas Costa, pastor of St Patrick's R.C. Church and Rabbi Janet B. Liss of the North Country Reform Temple, who gave the Invocation and Benediction, respectively and Cheryl Hollenback, who led the crowd in singing God Bless America, accompanied on piano by Dale Zurbrick. Ms. Holzkamp was warmly introduced by her daughters Tara and Kelly, and she was officially sworn in by former Mayor Thomas R. Suozzi.

While the ceremonies took place on Sunday, Dec. 30, the new administration would not officially be in place until Jan.1, 2002, when the mayor and council members met and signed their oath of office cards.