During a gala evening that brought many of the communities dignitaries to the community center in village hall, the Village of Mineola held its annual organization night. Mineola Mayor John P. Colbert and trustees Lou Santosus and Elizabeth Conlon were sworn in for another two-year term on the village board.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta, who had the duty of swearing in Mayor Colbert, chided the mayor, saying that Colbert had run a difficult campaign. Mayor Colbert and trustees Santosus and Conlon, of course, ran unopposed in this past March's election.

The theme of the evening was teamwork as each of the three village officials thanked the residents for their support and putting their trust and confidence into the current village board.

Those gathered were delighted by the musical numbers performed by the Mineola Middle School band and the Chaminade High School Glee Club. Village Clerk Lou DiDomenico acted as the Master of Ceremonies.

The honor of swearing in Elizabeth Conlon went to former board trustee Scott Fairgrieve, who is now a district court judge. Conlon has been a resident of Mineola for the past 53 years. She was elected to the board of trustees first in 1995 and has run two other successful campaigns since then.

Conlon reflected on the first time she gave a speech after being sworn in as a trustee. At that time, she said she would work diligently to achieve a Mineola of caring and compassionate, trusting people who look to the past with pride and to the future with hope. Conlon has said she wanted to see a village where residents care about each other and the environment.

"With my fellow board members and the mayor, we are much closer to realizing this goal than I dared dream when I gave that speech," she said last week.

In addition, Conlon said, with the Downtown Planning Committee and the various segments of it, the village is seriously looking at downtown as well as all of the villages to see what is best for all.

Santosus, who will once again serve as deputy mayor, thanked all of his supporters including his family. Appropriately, Santosus was sworn in by his daughter Bonnie with his wife Pat by his side.

Santosus, a lifelong resident of Mineola, is a former fire chief and was appointed to the trustee position in 1994 after having served as village trustee from 1983 to 1989. He was then re-elected as village trustee in 1995, 1997, 1999 and again this year. Also, this past year, Santosus served as the village's deputy mayor.

Santosus cited the improvements made to village facilities such as the pool, library, fire house and field, which the residents supported, as examples of what the board and village were able to accomplish by working as a team. "This is a board that is committed to doing only what's best for the Village of Mineola," he said.

Although the village board of trustees may not always agree, Santosus said when the hard decisions have to be made, the board members make them with the best interests of the residents of the village in mind.

Mayor Colbert, who currently works as the chief of staff for Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta, was sworn in by the county executive who praised Colbert's character and work ethic, describing him as "a public official second to none."

With his family at his side Mayor Colbert, was sworn in for another two year term. Colbert will continue a stint on the board that began in 1989 when he was elected as a village trustee. He was elected mayor in 1995.

Colbert thanked practically every facet of the village including the employees and volunteers who give their time so that the village can prosper. He also gave thanks to the former mayors in attendance, which included Ann Galante, Bob Hinck and Ed Smith. However, the mayor gave a special thanks to the board of trustees, which is comprised of Santosus, Conlon, Maryanne Warnecke and Linda Fairgrieve, who were elected last year.

"It is with great honor that I am here to serve you," he said.

The Village of Mineola also recognized a number of individuals who have given their time and commitment for the betterment of the community. Frederick T. Deodato, superintendent of the sanitation department, was given a proclamation in recognition of his 30 years of employment with the village.

Joseph Tartaglia of the sewer and water department was recognized for his 20 years of service to the village.

Lou Kuless was given a proclamation in honor of his years of service on the planning board.

Auxiliary Police Chief Mike Spae was honored for his 25 years of volunteer service with the Mineola Auxiliary Police.

Ed Barnola, a 48-year resident of Mineola, was given a proclamation and named honorary village photographer. Ed is the creator of beautiful memories for years to come, the proclamation said.