On Saturday, the Mineola Pool opened for another summer season but this time, the pool is sporting a new name. At last Wednesday's work session of the Mineola Board of Trustees, the board voted 4-0 in favor of naming the pool after Trustee John DaVanzo. The pool is now known as the "John S. DaVanzo Community Pool."

The idea to name the pool after the man who is known throughout the village affectionately as "Mr. Mineola" for all of his community involvement and for the role he played in building the village's history and tradition came from Mayor Jack M. Martins.

"It's incumbent upon a community to recognize people who have gone far beyond the norm," said Mayor Martins in noting DaVanzo's exemplary service to the community. "We can't allow these people to be forgotten. They have committed themselves to making Mineola all that it is."

The mayor wanted to name the pool after DaVanzo since he was instrumental in the late '50s and early '60s in the campaign to open the pool. Back then, the village board, under the leadership of then-mayor Stanley Krause, wanted to open a community pool. Subscriptions were sold to families for $50 each with a goal of 1,500 families.

Mayor Martins believes in holding up the leaders of the village who have made significant contributions to the village during its 100-year history as role models for future generations. "His ties to the pool make it a natural fit. John is the type of person we should hold up as someone who should be a role model," Mayor Martins said.

Deputy Mayor Larry Werther said he was proud to second the motion to name the pool after DaVanzo. "John doesn't do anything for recogniztion or reward," said Werther, who added that it was appropriate that the pool be named after his fellow trustee.

DaVanzo, who is on the board, was not present at the work session since he was out of town. In fact, DaVanzo didn't even know the board was voting on naming the pool after him.

With the mayor and three trustees present, the mayor needed the support of either Trustee Linda Fairgrieve or Trustee Paul Cusato for the motion to pass. It turns out both trustees voted in favor of renaming the pool after DaVanzo, although the two trustees still expressed some reservations.

"I have the utmost respect for John DaVanzo," said Cusato, who has known DaVanzo for the 41 years he has been a member of the fire department.

However, Cusato said he had mixed feelings because he feels that there are many deserving citizens in Mineola who have contributed much to the village. Cusato said he would vote for the motion but also wants to see the village board work on establishing a roll of honor to recognize more residents. Mayor Martins agreed with Cusato's idea of working on a roll of honor.

Trustee Fairgrieve said that by renaming the pool after DaVanzo, she was concerned that some people might feel slighted. She said there were other people who were involved with the pool. Fairgrieve voted in support of the motion, making it unanimous among the board.

One of those people who did have a roll in making the pool a reality was the late Nicholas Mortensen, who worked as an area captain in getting subscriptions for the pool during the subscription drive in 1960. Nick's son Dennis was at last week's work session in honor of his father.

The pool is located in Wilson Park, which is named after former Mayor Thomas Wilson. Now, when families enjoy a swim in Mineola, if it's not in their own backyard pool, it will be in the John S. DaVanzo Community Pool.