MAYOR
VILLAGE OF
NEW HYDE PARK
Robert A. Lofaro
Term April 2013 - April 2017
Mayor’s Letter to the residents
With this being my first letter as your new Mayor, I would like to start by thanking all of my family, residents, friends, and colleagues who had encouraged me to run for this office. For all that know me; serving this village has been such a fulfilling experience and a true passion.
Next, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of former Mayor Dan Petruccio, who represented our village in such a positive way and was truly instrumental in so many of the significant accomplishments that were made during his tenure. Thank you for your service.
So as you can read in this Spring Issue of the Village Newsletter, there is so much activity going on. With the annual appointment of key Village personnel, members of our Boards and Committees, these individuals will help with the effective management and operations of our Village and we are grateful for their work and dedication.
The Board was also able to adopt a new budget with a very modest increase that will enable us to maintain a high level of service. And so many other project continue to progress, like the Jericho Project, Operation Main Street, Road Improvement Projects, Park Improvements, facility repairs, and equipment replacements.
But we could always could use new volunteers to help us achieve our goals, so I ask that anyone who might be interested in serving in some capacity in our Village family, please email me or give me a call.
Bob Lofaro
Robert Lofaro is sworn in as Mayor on April 1, 2013
Former Mayor Dan Petruccio's Letter to the residents
March 2013
So here I sit putting my last Mayor’s message together and I am wondering where I should begin. The first lesson I learned upon being elected Mayor of this wonderful Village is that in thanking any group of people it is important to thank my wife. While I was out handling Village matters, my wife was attending parent-teacher conferences and basketball games and dance recitals. She made it possible for me to dedicate the necessary time to handling the responsibilities of my office. So in beginning my litany of thanks I begin with the most important person in my life, my wife Roseann. I would also like to acknowledge the support and enthusiasm of my daughters: Elyse, Caitlin and Lianna. They have truly enjoyed being the “Mayor’s daughters”. I am so proud of the type of young women they have become.
My fellow Board members: Bob, Larry, Donnie and Rich have made my Tuesday nights rewarding and enjoyable. Over our twelve years together we have developed a mutual respect for each other which has translated into effective government service for the residents. We have argued and debated, we have compromised and cooperated and most of all we have presented a singular vision for the future of the Village that is a by-product of hard work and a spirit of public service. These men are the embodiment of the idea of “public service”.
When I first started attending Village meetings over fifteen years ago, I was fortunate enough to get to know a trio of men that educated and encouraged me in my knowledge and love of the Village. Kevin Gormley, George Sakowich and Fred Brown were my mentors and I was their pupil. They understood the value of Village government and the benefits it provides to the residents. They understood the concept of treating taxpayer’s money as if it were your own. Only spend what you have and always prepare for a rainy day.
The first important decision I had to make upon assuming the position of Mayor was to appoint a Village Attorney. The selection of John Spellman to represent the Village was the best decision I made. He provided guidance and stability helping to steer a group of government newcomers in the right direction. He has been a counselor and most of all a valued friend throughout these past twelve years. Thank you John.
The guys down at the Department of Public Works and the staff up at Village Hall continue to serve this community with pride and affection which is not part of their job descriptions. There are too many to mention by name so I won’t even try. One of the reasons that I feel it is the right time to leave my position as Mayor is that the administrative leadership is so solid at this time. Tom Gannon and Cathryn Hillmann have streamlined our operation and used prudence and financial discipline to put the Village on firm ground.
It has been an honor to serve as Mayor of this wonderful Village. Thomas Friedman once wrote; “When do we feel best about ourselves as Americans? It’s when we are
The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the Village and is elected for a four-year term. The duties of the Mayor are set forth in Village Law, Section 4-400. The first statutory power given to the Mayor is the authority to preside over the meetings of the Board of Trustees. In all cases of Board votes the Mayor has the right to vote, however, it is mandated that the Mayor vote in the case of a tie. The Mayor has no veto power over legislative action of the Board. One of the more important powers of the Mayor is the power to appoint all department heads and non-elected officers and employees. While the Mayor makes all of the appointments, the approval of the Board of Trustees is required. The only mayoral appointment, which is not subject to Board approval, is the appointment of one of the Trustees as Deputy Mayor. The Mayor may also fill vacancies in elected or appointed office without Board approval. The Village Law also gives the Mayor the responsibility to provide the enforcement of all laws, rules and regulations and to cause all violations thereof to be prosecuted. The Mayor has significant responsibilities regarding the ongoing business of the Village. He is permitted to perform Marriages within the confines of the Village. The specific requirements to be eligible to hold an elective Village office are : one must be 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the Village.