The stage at the Wunsch Theater in Robert M. Finley Middle School was full to capacity and the auditorium filled to about half-capacity on Tuesday, Jan. 1 as Glen Cove Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi was sworn into office to begin his second term as the city's mayor, the fourth Suozzi to have done so in the city's history. Also sworn in were incumbent City Council members Nicholas DiLeo, Anthony Jimenez and Timothy Tenke and new City Council members Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Sean Dwyer and Michael Famiglietti.

Political dignitaries in the audience included Congressman Peter King, state Assemblyman Charles Lavine, county Legislator (and, at press time, imminent Presiding Officer of the Legislature) Diane Yatauro, Leg. David Mejias, and City Judges the Hon. Richard McCord and the Hon. Joseph McCann; many community and religious leaders were also in attendance. Familiar faces from the political arena seated on stage with the mayor, city council, friends and family included the Hon. Joseph A. Suozzi, Hon. Donald DeRiggi and County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. Patriotism was the order of the day, with the opening processional by the Clan Gordon Highlanders Pipe Band followed by the Presentation of the Colors under the eye of Young-Simmons American Legion Post 1765 past Commander James B. Middleton and Sergeant at Arms Willibe Wilson. The Color Guard included members of the Glen Cove Police Department, Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department, Glen Cove Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, Glen Cove Auxiliary Police, Glen Cove Harbor Patrol, Glen Cove American Legion Post 76, VFW James E. Donahue Post 347, as well as additional members of Young-Simmons Post. The auditorium was decorated with American flags created by the students of Robert M. Finley Middle School.

Moments interspersed through the ceremony included introductions to, and performances of, solemn American moments of pride. The Pledge of Allegiance, introduced by Linda Pascale, was led by Robert N. Pemberton, Sr. after he had all Armed Service veterans, current members, family members and first responders stand for recognition; The Star Spangled Banner was introduced by Brian Pemberton and sung by the renowned Glen Cove High School Select Chorale under the direction of Edward Norris; Theresa Hauck introduced the song God Bless America, beautifully sung by 14-year-old Megan O'Rourke; and America the Beautiful, sung by Adam Levine, was introduced by Jenn Fort, Jen Maselli and Jen Stern. The Rev. Craig Wright of Calvary AME Church gave the invocation and Cantor Gustavo Gitlin of Congregation Tifereth Israel the benediction, with the audience clapping to the rhythm of a traditional Hebrew blessing.

Another order of the day was family. In welcoming the crowd, County Executive Suozzi acknowledged his family's 54 years in politics, 27 of them served as mayor collectively by the Hon. Joseph A. Suozzi, the Hon. Vincent "Jimmy" Suozzi, and respective sons the county executive and the current mayor. While stating that the Suozzis have different styles of governing, County Executive Suozzi said all share a deep commitment to family, respect for hard work, and love of country and of neighbors. Citing politics as a "noble calling, not a dirty word," he added that a main belief is a duty to "improve the lives of others." He expressed his belief that these same values are shared by the city council, and that each member possesses a "desire to do good." The county executive noted that there are always detractors to an administration, some who seek to tear it down for their own agendas. He applauded the current mayor and city council for their victorious "clean sweep" in the 2007 election.

Mary Lynch introduced the Hon. Donald P. DeRiggi, former Nassau County judge and Glen Cove mayor who swore in the city council: Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Nicholas DiLeo, Sean Dwyer, Michael Famiglietti, Anthony Jimenez and Timothy Tenke,

John M. Grella then introduced the Hon. Joseph Suozzi, who along with Jane Beckhard-Suozzi, wife of the mayor, administered the oath of office to Mayor Ralph Suozzi. Ronald Pascucci then introduced the mayor to the public for the delivery of the mayor's second inaugural address.

The mayor acknowledged outgoing City Council members Joseph Gioino, Joan Meehan and Michael Norman, who have served 8, 12 and 14 years on the city council, respectively, and thanked them and their families for "the sacrifices they made on our behalf." He also recognized Glen Cove's former first ladies in attendance: Marguerite Suozzi, Theresa Suozzi, Dr. Millie DeRiggi and Helene Suozzi, as well "the current first lady, my wife Jane Beckhard-Suozzi and ... current first mother-in-law Ellie Beckhard. On behalf of all of us mayors, I say thank you," the mayor said.

"People often ask me how things are going or simply how I like being mayor," Mayor Suozzi said, "and my answer is always, 'Everything is fine except for people, politics and money,'" adding that "all of us in public service know exactly what I mean."

The mayor stated he was "extremely happy, honored and proud to be standing here as your mayor. It truly is an honor to serve our community and be among you and part of you. I come to work each day ready, willing and able to take on all challenges and more importantly, all challengers."

Hearkening back to his 2005 campaign and win, Mayor Suozzi said the three main issues presented two years ago were "quality of life (which includes everything), money (more specifically the budget), and the Glen Cove Creek Revitalization Project along Garvies Point Road (which has come to be known as the Waterfront)." These same topics were "front and center" in the recent election, he said, "as my opponents tried to ignore the progress and achievements of my administration and instead tried to marry me to the mistakes, missteps and poor results waiting for me when I stepped into this role during my first term.

"Identifying and fixing problems that have occurred over many years cannot be reversed in a single act, a single decision, a single year or even two," he said. "Our problems in Glen Cove have deep roots and if they could be so easily fixed as some have touted, then it would have been, as a matter of fact, that much easier to avoid the problems from occurring in the first place. Positive lasting change can only come about incrementally or we run the real risk of further hurting our city."

After remarking that "To become an elected official, we have to align ourselves with at least one of the major parties: the Republicans, the Democrats or the Glen Cove Voters," Mayor Suozzi smiled and said he believes he has been successful in part because he uses a nonpolitical approach to craft solutions to our city's problems. "We must never forget the mistakes of the past and must be willing to have the courage to chart a new direction and try new solutions." The mayor added what he said is one of his favorite quotes: Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.

"We cannot sweep our problems under the rug. We must reflect on the past, operate in the reality of the present and think of and plan for an uncertain future," he said. "There are, and probably always will be, individuals with personal, financial and political agendas who do not want me, or us, or our community to be successful. But despite them, we, meaning Glen Cove, will continue to persevere and make progress."

Mayor Suozzi went on to iterate the goals of his first term, including figuring out what was wrong, identifying contributing factors, working with appropriate professionals, identifying achievable solutions, informing the public about the state of affairs, working with the city council to implement changes, documenting said changes and monitoring those changes for results.

The mayor stated he has worked to fulfill his campaign promises and changing the direction of the city by standing his ground on the Waterfront, stabilizing taxes following his first and toughest adjustment year, securing deficit financing legislation, addressing quality of life issues through good policing, better code enforcement, the raising of fines and the cleaning up and replacement of infrastructure throughout the city.

He declared the Waterfront to be moving in a direction that "offers new hope with new players and an extended team of designers, new momentum, new attitudes and more candid conversation." The pending transfer of the Glen Cove Sewer Treatment Plant to Nassau County, said the mayor, "offers tax relief to Glen Cove residents, provides a platform to meet legacy regional needs, while providing environmental opportunities for Hempstead Harbor and the North Shore."

Plans for 2008, said Mayor Suozzi, include a review and approval of the Master Plan due this summer. He mentioned new developments on the horizon that will increase the city's tax base and generate new revenues and planned capital improvements for recreational facilities, including Morgan Park, and the downtown.

Mayor Suozzi advised the new city council that "we have a lot of work ahead of us...great challenges and for our community, great rewards. I am proud of this team," he said, and thanked each for "stepping up to the plate and joining me as we venture off together to take care of what needs taking care of." He vowed to continue to make decisions he and the council, as leaders, were elected to make.

The mayor thanked and acknowledged the "couple of hundred city employees" who keep the city operating on a daily basis, and praised the police department, fire department and EMS. He singled out Mike Salentino, but pointed out that while Mr. Salentino is not a man who "likes this public recognition stuff... he is going to get it anyway." The mayor thanked Mr. Salentino for "[your] honesty, hard work, dedication and work ethic, sincerity, and most of all, your integrity."

Additionally, the mayor thanked elected officials for assistance in obtaining grants for city projects and gave special thanks to Congressman Peter King for his generosity of time given the mayor on his trips to Washington, DC. Mayor Suozzi thanked his volunteers, the residents of Glen Cove and the entire North Shore, and, again, the familiar family.

While he was cited throughout the event, Vincent A. "Jimmy" Suozzi, the mayor's late father, was given a special memorial tribute with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne performed on trumpet by James J. Capozzi, Jr., joined for a second verse by Glen Cove's mayor on his own cherished horn. The dedication was introduced by Vincent A. Suozzi, Jr. and Teresa (Suozzi) Stroppel.

Following the inauguration, the mayor and city council held a brief meeting, consisting of a number of resolutions and appointments. While appointments were not announced at the meeting, Kelly Morris, who has served as Glen Cove's director of strategic initiatives under Mayor Ralph Suozzi, was named the city's new deputy mayor, with a salary increase of about 10 percent. Ms. Morris, a resident of North Bellmore, will replace Marilyn Brenner, who Ms. Morris said, would be leaving the mayor's office very soon. Ms. Brenner was named secretary to the mayor until her departure. Ms. Brenner was not available for comment on the personnel changes.

Another notable change in the structure of city hall is the hiring of Tina Pemberton as city clerk, replacing Carolyn Willson, who has served the City of Glen Cove on and off under numerous administrations and in myriad positions since 1976.