November 2018

NYCOM Executive Director Peter Baynes and Former Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel to Speak at November 13 General Membership Meeting

We are fortunate to have two guest speakers at the upcoming Tuesday, November 13, 2018 General Membership Meeting.

NYCOM Executive Director Peter Baynes will travel from Albany for a special presentation entitled “Report from the State Capitol: NYCOM’s Regional Advocacy Initiative.”

Former NYS Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel will share the podium with Peter. Michelle currently serves as Director of Community Outreach for the State of New York Mortgage Agency, also known as SONYMA. A trusted New York State agency, SONYMA partners with participating mortgage lenders to offer competitive fixed-rate mortgages with low down payment requirements for qualified first-time homebuyers across Long Island and New York State.  SONYMA makes home ownership possible for low-to-moderate income New Yorkers purchasing a home, condominium or co-op. SONYMA mortgages have special add-on features including down payment loan assistance of up to $15K and renovation programs such as RemodelNY, where buyers can finance the cost of home repairs and renovations through their mortgage.

Dear Mayors, Trustees, and Friends:

For those unable to attend the October 9 General Membership Meeting, you missed an outstanding presentation by Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. If I were to rate guest speakers I have heard throughout the years, he would be at the top of my list.

Making his first appearance before the NCVOA membership, the Commissioner immediately captured the attention of the entire room as he called in members of his Tactical Squad to demonstrate the Diamond Formation used when entering an active shooter situation. He then proceeded to provide chilling statistics on the most pressing issues facing his department – gang violence, opioid crisis, and active shooter situations. Commissioner Ryder was riveting in his presentation. It is obvious he is passionate about his department and its commitment to protecting our residents. You could easily see why many rank and file members say he is a “cop’s cop” – a highly experienced police officer who rose through the ranks to the top position.

On a personal note, I believe Commissioner Ryder is a breath of fresh air in the county police department. He is committed to open and honest communications as well as a community policing ideal. He is extremely knowledgeable and accessible, and his self-effacing personality is warm and welcoming. I know I was not the only village official leaving the meeting with a renewed confidence in our county police force and its leadership. I thank Commissioner Ryder for taking time to be with us. I also would like to thank Lynbrook Deputy Mayor Hilary Becker, a long-time friend of the Ryder family, for making the arrangements for the Commissioner to be with us.

Election Day Nears

As another long and arduous campaign season draws to a close, we anxiously await the results of the state senate and assembly races. The senate contests are of particular importance as the balance of power is at stake. We can only hope that this election brings about real change in Albany. We need senators and assembly representatives who recognize the value of local government, understand the plight of village officials in serving their residents and are not afraid to support committing the resources to assist us. We can no longer do more with less. I hope you will encourage your residents to make their voices heard by voting Tuesday, November 6.

Village of Hempstead Honors James Garner

Hats off to Village of Hempstead Mayor Don Ryan and the Village Board for recognizing former Mayor Jim Garner’s decades of service to the village by renaming a portion of Nicholas Court James Garner Way. The special ceremony on September 29 was a fitting tribute to the four-term Village of Hempstead Mayor and NCVOA Past President (1998-1999), who also was Long Island’s first African-American mayor, first Long Island village mayor to be elected president of the US. Conference of Mayors, and Nassau County’s first African-American chief deputy comptroller.

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 13, 2018. The cocktail reception begins at 6:30PM, followed by the dinner program at 7:30PM. As always, I look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely, Mayor Ralph Ekstrand

President NCVOA

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October 2018 Meeting Attendees

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder updates village officials on the police department’s operations and community initiatives	Nassau County Tactical Squad members demonstrate the Diamond Formation used to enter an area during an active shooter situation
Brookville Mayor and NCVOA Treasurer Dan Serota	Commissioner Ryder and Deputy Mayor Hilary Becker both were members of the Lynbrook High School wrestling team. Deputy Mayor Becker presented the Commissioner with a Lynbrook Wrestling sweatshirt following his presentation
Friends of the NCVOA Rizwan Qureshi from Hab Bank with South Floral Park Deputy Mayor Gary McCollin	North Hills Deputy Mayor Dennis Sgambati, Baxter Estates Mayor Nora Haagenson, and Flower Hill Trustee Frank Genese
North Hills Trustee Gail Cohen, Deputy Mayor Dennis Sgambati and Village Clerk Marianne Lobacarro	North Hills Village Clerk Marianne Lobaccaro with Plandome Heights Trustee Al Solomon
Oyster Bay Cove Police Commissioner Seth Lublim with NCVOA Executive Director Emeritus Warren Tackenberg	Saddle Rock Mayor Dr. Dan Levy with North Hills Mayor and NCVOA Past President Marvin Natiss
Westbury Trustee Bill Wise and Hempstead Deputy Mayor Charles Renfroe	Town of Hempstead’s Bert Patterson, Hempstead Deputy Mayor Charles Renfroe and Mayor Don Ryan
Friends of the NCVOA Erica Peritore from American Recreational, Brookville Mayor and NCVOA Treasurer Dan Serota, and Centre Island Mayor Larry Schmidlapp	Lynbrook Deputy Mayor Hilary Becker, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder, Baxter Estates Mayor Nora Haagenson, and Brookville Mayor and NCVOA Treasurer Dan Serota
The Last Word: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead, American anthropologist (1901-1978)

 

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