In a gala celebration, packed with elected officials, appointees and other dignitaries,and observed by what looked like members of a swat team, complete with full uniform and rifles, the 19 Nassau County legislators were inducted last week in a ceremony held at Nassau Community College. Doing the swearing-in honors for the group was United States District Court Judge Arthur D. Spatt, who has performed the group induction since its inception.

Ninth District Legislator Richard Nicolello, of New Hyde Park, was among the 19 and one of the original legislators re-elected for the fourth time. He was on hand with his wife Susan and children Kathleen and Patrick along with his father-in-law Supreme Court Judge Jack Dunne who swore him in at an earlier private family celebration.

Legislator Lisanne Altmann, of Great Neck, was also present. Altmann represents the 10th District and she, too, is one of the original 19 legislators.

The master-of-ceremonies was United States Senator Charles Schumer, who was able to move along the ceremonies at an unusually fast pace. Senator Schumer introduced newly inducted Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, who pointed out that the key to the county's success would be the ability to cross party lines and work together as "Team Nassau."

After the induction of Presiding Officer Judith Jacobs by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and the induction of Minority Leader Peter Schmitt by United States Congressman Peter King, they both delivered speeches that confirmed they were looking forward to working in a unified manner to make sure that Nassau County is viable once again and both stressing that, "today is a new day."

One very appealing portion of the program was when the children and grandchildren of all 19 legislators came to the dais to recite the Pledge of Allegiance; from the youngest to the oldest, it was a nice human touch.

Giving a very moving performance, peppered with reality, was the Freeport Select Choral who sang so beautifully Let There Be Peace on Earth and observing them from the balcony above was a member of the swat team assigned to guarding the event.

The clergy was represented by Rockville Centre Archdiocese Bishop William Murphy; Bethel A.M.E. Church of Freeport, Rev. Gayle Drayton; Representing the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, Al-Haaj Gazi Y. Khankan and then Congregation Sons of Israel Rabbi Bruce Ginsberg delivered the closing prayer.

Dignitaries at the induction also included United States Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy; former County Executive Thomas Gulotta; Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto; Town of Hempstead Robert Guardino; Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger; Nassau County Assessor Charles O'Shea; County Clerk Karen Murphy and newly elected comptroller Howard Weitzman.

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