For the last week or so, the media has been all abuzz with the exciting news that our very own New York State Senator Michael Balboni will soon head up security and law enforcement for the state. The then governor-elect, Eliot Spitzer, appointed Senator Balboni to the position of deputy secretary for public safety, right before he took office, making the surprising move of a Democratic governor appointing a Republican state senator to an extremely important post in the new administration.

We are absolutely thrilled for Senator Balboni, and so very proud of our good friend who has brought so much to our community. If Great Neck ever had a dear friend, it's Mike Balboni. His deep interest in Great Neck, his regular visits to the peninsula, his warm and friendly manner, won friends from one end of Middle Neck Road to the other. His ready willingness to help us fight battles and win state funds was more than we could ever imagine. From the very start, Mike Balboni was always there for Great Neck, and for each and every resident.

So while we wish the senator all good things in life with this prestigious new position, we also shed a tear or two for our immediate loss. It will be a new day for sure, when we can't just reach out and ask Senator Balboni for a hand. As our entire state gains a great champion and a great protector, we must say goodbye to our good friend.

We hope that everyone in the entire great State of New York knows just how lucky they are. Since September 11, Senator Balboni has devoted so much time and effort to develop a rare expertise to help his fellow citizens and to protect them from terror and disaster, both from within and from without. We are all lucky to have him in this new post ... and, yes, we will all be safer now, thanks to the senator.

Here's to a bright new future for Mike Balboni! We know he won't forget us; for sure we won't forget this great friend.

And, you know, it's so nice to see, for a change, that good things do sometimes happen to good people.

- Wendy Karpel Kreitzman