“It’s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I’d much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure.”
—Hall of Fame baseball announcer Ernie Harwell
I couldn’t have said it any better than the late Detroit Tigers play caller. As of the Nov. 1, 2019 issue, I will be moving on from being the editor of Garden City Life, an honor and privilege I’ve enjoyed for seven plus years ever since I was bestowed this beat back in April 2012. I’ve been reassigned to the same duties with the Massapequa Observer and Hicksville Illustrated News. I want to take the time to thank my paper’s readers for their loyalty and interaction with me during the time I spent covering meetings at village hall and the board of education, or at any of the myriad events I covered during my time at the helm of this paper. When I inherited the mantle from my predecessor, Don Brudie was the mayor and what to do with the former St. Paul’s School was a major local issue. As I wrap things up, Theresa Trouvé is the mayor and…..what to do with the former St. Paul’s School is a major local issue (some things never change). I’ve really enjoyed covering the village and getting to experience the history, the community institutions and most importantly, Garden City’s residents. And while I got a chance to chat with some of Garden City’s most notable denizens (John Tesh, Nelson DeMille, Don McCauley, Kathleen Rice, Elliott Murphy…nope, never got to speak with Susan Lucci), it’s been stories about less-famous folks that brought an endless sense of delight to my job. People ranging from exemplary students like Brandon Gong to stalwarts of the community including longtime historian John Ellis Kordes, Envie Boutique owner Christina Savalas Mamos, Rob and Suzie Alvey and the always indefatigable Althea Robinson. Among the people who were invaluable in helping me do my job were former district director of information Dr. Catherine Knight, public relations consultant Carisa Giardino, superintendents Dr. Robert Feirsen and Dr. Kusum Sinha, Board of Education President Angela Heineman, assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development Nanine McLaughlin, Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson, Town of Hempstead Clerk Sylvia Cabana and countless other people who were good enough to shoot me an email, bend my ear at a meeting or return my calls. While I never lived in Garden City, know that it will always have a special place in my heart.
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