On Monday evening, April 4, the Village of Mineola held its annual organization night and it proved to be a night of standing ovations as the board welcomed back Mayor Jack M. Martins, Deputy Mayor Larry Werther and new trustee John DaVanzo, who was elected after last serving on the board 40 years ago. The board also bid farewell to Lou Santosus, who served 17 years on the board.

After the Mineola Fire Department presented the colors and Mineola's own Karli Bonné eloquently sang the National Anthem, Master of Ceremonies John Spellman, who is the village's attorney, began the evening with invocation since many of the community's religious figures were attending a mass for Pope John Paul II.

Spellman then introduced Mayor Martins, who gave a special presentation to Santosus. The mayor called Santosus an important member of the board whose leadership will be sorely missed.

After 17 years of service on the village board, Santosus decided not to run for re-election. Instead, he will spend more time with his family and enjoy a boat he recently purchased. Appropriately, Mayor Martins, on behalf of the village, gave Santosus a plaque with nautical gauges on it so that he would never lose Mineola as he is sailing on the seas.

Santosus, in his time as trustee, epitomized class and this night was no different as he humbly deflected the praise from himself. "Tonight is not about me. It's about this new board," he said. "They're going to be wonderful."

Santosus received a standing ovation and his wife Pat, who is also his best friend, was presented with a bouquet of flowers for sharing Lou all those years with the village.

After a fond farewell to Santosus, it was time for Mayor Martins to be sworn in. The mayor ran unopposed this past election and will once again serve Mineola.

Mayor Martins, with his wife Paula and his daughters Kaitlin and Vanessa at his side, took the oath of office from New York State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell.

"It was just two short years ago when I stood before you and told you of a vision and commitment for an open village government with fiscal responsibility," said Mayor Martins.

In the last two years, the mayor pointed out that the village board work sessions are now held in the public meeting room of village hall in front of the public and are televised; the village board adopted a debt management plan and paid down $3 million of the village's debt and the village closed the 2003-2004 fiscal year with a budget surplus and expects to close the 2004-2005 fiscal year with a budget surplus.

"The last two years, we were true to our commitment," Mayor Martins said.

In the upcoming year, Mayor Martins said he is looking for each board member to actively participate and offer suggestions and solutions. He thanked the residents for the opportunity to serve as mayor. "We will not let you down," he said.

Even before the election, Mayor Martins dispelled rumors that he would run for Town of North Hempstead Supervisor. Mayor Martins said although he was flattered, his has no interest in running since his place is in Mineola and his job is to make Mineola a stronger village.

Town of North Hempstead Councilman Angelo Ferarra then swore in Werther, who was also re-elected. Werther thanked the residents for an opportunity to serve another two years and thanked the village's employees for the great job.

"We made promises two years ago and we kept every single promise that we made," Trustee Werther said. "We have open board meetings and fiscal responsibility and we stopped the cycle of borrowing."

Werther also alluded to the possibility of a Mineola Police Department, saying when the residents have all the facts, the residents will decide which the direction the village will go.

With his wife Francine and son Joseph at his side, Werther took the oath of office. He then asked all those in attendance to pray for the board since being a trustee is a difficult job with difficult decisions to be made. "We will never forget that our first loyalty is to the residents," he said.

The first time DaVanzo was sworn in to be a village trustee was in 1955 and now 50 years later, Mr. Mineola was sworn in again. At the age of 83, DaVanzo promised to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Councilman Ferarra also swore in DaVanzo. "What do you say about John DaVanzo? John has made so many sacrifices over the years. He showed all his life his commitment. He still has a lot to give," he said.

With his friend Lilly and his daughters at his side, DaVanzo took the oath of office to become a village trustee once again. He expressed his admiration for Mayor Martins. "I want to be here to help him," he said.

DaVanzo then thanked everyone who came to the polls and all the organizations that supported him. "I'm very proud to be a member of this board," he said.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Mayor Martins made employee appointments that were ratified unanimously by the board. All the current department heads were re-appointed except for Village Treasurer Richard Dwyer, whose employment was terminated.

Whereas last year, there was a proposal to change the village's legal fees. This year, all of the village's legal representation will stay the same, which means Spellman will remain village attorney and his firm will remain legal counsel for the village.