Newly installed Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar was sworn in by his wife, former mayor Doreen Ehrbar and he said, “Folks just want you to know that this woman (his wife Doreen) is my confidant, my best friend and the “wind beneath my wings.”
With these words he started his four-year term as the mayor of Village of Williston Park.
He went on to say, “I am looking forward to serving the village as mayor and I want to express my sincere thanks to all of you who worked so diligently to help get me elected. It took a large number of supporters to make this happen, with many reaching out to their friends and neighbors on my behalf.
“I also want to thank former mayor Lud Odierna and former village justice Alan Reardon for their years of service.
“I also want to wish congratulate Terry Thomann, Kevin Rynne and village justice Kevin Kiley as well as Sue Redding and Bill Lorusso.
“During the campaign I was truly lucky to meet many residents both supporters and non-supporters and a common thread seemed to run through most; a desire to keep the small town community spirit alive in our village and I hope to do just that.
“I feel volunteer programs are vital and I have already begun to re-establish the Senior Advisory Committee, the Recreation Committee, the Beautification Committee and the Neighborhood Watch Program.
“Further, as indicated, I will become a full-time mayor with both Saturday and evening availability. Once I am settled in my new position, a schedule will be posted.
“I am anxious to begin my journey and I am asking all of you to join me as I move forward. I continue to believe that Williston Park is a great place to visit, but a better place to live and together, we can make a difference.”
Captain of the Emergency Rescue Squad of the Village of Williston Park Gerald Umlauf led the Pledge of Allegiance and former Williston Park mayor, now Deacon Joseph Connelly, of St. Aidan’s Roman Catholic Church delivered the invocation
Then Mayor Ehrbar proceeded to introduce the rest of the board for their swearing-in ceremonies.
Teresa Thomann, who was appointed the deputy mayor was sworn-in by former mayor Roger Fay; trustee Kevin Rynne was sworn in by former mayor Ludwig Odierna and the new village attorney, who had been the village attorney under mayor Doreen Ehrbar, James Bradley was sworn-in my mayor Ehrbar.
Mayor Ehrbar then announced that trustee Beth Swendsen-Dowd would be stepping down as a trustee to become a village justice and mayor Ehrbar administered to her the oath of office.
Mayor Ehrbar then gave the oath of office to the members of the village staff, the village court, building, plumbing inspector, superintendent of public works, board of appeals, the library board and various committees.
After a brief reception the mayor and the board met in the boardroom to establish routine resolutions, one them being that the village board would meet, as it has in the past, on the third Monday of the month.
It was announced that village justice Kevin Kiley will be sworn-in at the next village board meeting to be held on April 19 at 8 p.m. at Williston Park Village Hall, 494 Willis Avenue, Williston Park.
