The residents of Glen Cove were treated to introductions to three notable persons prior to the city council meeting of Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi and the city council presented Glen Cove pediatrician Dr. Belinda Basaca of New Health Pediatrics of Glen Cove with a citation for her "humanity and the ability to act on her instincts and make decisions under pressure" following an incident on a recent airplane flight during which Dr. Basaca aided a man in distress, and managed to save his life (see story on Page 3).

The mayor then handed the microphone to City Councilman Nick DiLeo, who introduced Sebastian Jimenez Pina, a young boy battling cancer, and his family (see story this page).

The third presentation, following in the lines of bravery and heroism, was the appointment of John P. Calamusa as the newest member of the Glen Cove Police Department. Officer Calamusa, a Glen Cove resident, is a former New York City Police Department officer, who has served his job "admirably" since 2002, said Mayor Suozzi, having received many commendations. His former chief was very sorry to lose him, stated the mayor. It seems the big city's loss is the small city's gain. Officer Calamusa is a graduate of the John J. College of Criminal Justice and as he has received training and experience in police work in New York City, will not need to attend the Nassau County Police Academy. "He will be trained on the streets of Glen Cove by our own Glen Cove Police Department," said Mayor Suozzi.

Following a very brief business portion of the meeting, the floor was opened to the public. Mayor Suozzi asked that new business be presented before questions and comments concerning prior meetings. As it unfolded, the subjects on the mind of the speakers, and many just there to listen, were the sewage treatment plant transfer to the county, executive session of the city council and the administration's new city appointments.

The sewer transfer discussion was a reiteration of questions and answers discussed at great length over the past couple of months. Marie Coyle took the microphone to express her opinion that the "county is not a charitable organization" and that "they will profit" from the transfer. Saying that the deal "smells worse than the sewer," Ms. Coyle referenced a Newsday article that stated there was one county legislator who said he would not vote without further explanation of the deal. His argument is one that has been expressed by the people of Glen Cove since the topic arose: city residents have repeatedly stated that the city council should not have voted to allow the transfer, as the details of the arrangement have not been worked out and a contract is not in place. The mayor reiterated his reasons for the necessity of the transfer, all of which has been reported extensively in the local press. The Nassau County Legislature is due to vote on the transfer on Jan. 14.

On the subject of executive sessions of the city council, Timothy O'Rourke and Janet Blatt, at separate times at the microphone, expressed concern that the council had discussed the sewer transfer in executive session at a pre-council meeting on Dec. 18, just prior to a vote to allow the transfer. The vote was taken by the outgoing city council, three members of which are current members. The resolution passed with one dissenting vote, that of Michael Norman, who did not seek re-election.

Mr. O'Rourke cited the Open Meetings Law and stated that the mayor and council members acknowledged that the sewer transfer had been discussed in executive session, which Mr. O'Rourke called a violation of the law. The mayor deferred to city attorney Vincent Taranto, who stated that the council is permitted to adjourn to executive session to discuss the "sale and lease of real property" when the public discussion of such "could affect the sale." Mr. O'Rourke countered that the "money was out of the bag" at the public hearing and questioned why publicity of such would be injurious to the proceedings just before the vote was to be taken. Mr. Taranto added that the council was discussing an employee, which is allowed in executive session to which Mr. O'Rourke commented that the attorney was painting a "broad brush" of what may or may not be discussed in executive session, adding that the council cannot use the reason of "personnel discussion" to call for executive session and then use the opportunity to "talk about whatever you want." Mr. O'Rourke addressed Mayor Suozzi and stated, "I want you to be the best mayor you can be" and suggested the mayor "narrow the interpretation of the Open Meetings Law and stay within its parameters." Mayor Suozzi ended the discussion by stating he was not going to discuss executive session at a public meeting.

Janet Blatt took the microphone to question the new administration's appointment of John Grella, who, she was told by the mayor, had been hired as a consultant to the city on a retainer of $4,500 per month, without benefits. Mr. Grella is a retired New York City police officer and will be working fulltime, said Mayor Suozzi, on a number of projects, including security. Ms. Blatt stated her belief that Mr. Grella was not retired from the police department, but on disability, and as such, questioned if he should be working in government. The mayor said that Mr. Grella has a consulting firm, Elm Consulting, and that the firm has been hired by the city. Mr. Grella will not have an office in city hall, stated the mayor, although he is temporarily at a desk in the mayor's office while he is being introduced around and brought up to speed on city business. The mayor added that Mr. Grella is a longtime "best friend" and that "I would trust him with my life and the life of my wife and kids."

New appointments continued with a discussion of the city's new deputy mayor, Kelly Morris. Ms. Morris was introduced to Glen Cove as Ralph Suozzi's campaign manager in the 2005 election, and, following his initial win, was named director of strategic initiatives. Following Mayor Suozzi's re-election this past November, Ms. Morris, a resident of North Bellmore was appointed deputy mayor, at a 10 percent increase in salary, from just over $62,000 a year to just over $69,000.

Mr. O'Rourke referenced the State Public Officer's Law, which, he said, requires that anyone in a position to make decisions regarding the municipality in which he or she works must be a resident. Mr. Taranto stated that the council also had its concerns with this issue, and has looked at the city charter, which has "a lot of housekeeping tasks" to be addressed. As to the deputy mayor's position, said Mr. Taranto, a person holding that position merely has "potential decision-making authority," but only if something should happen to the mayor and the attorney suggested that Mr. O'Rourke, also an attorney, read the law further, where there is indication that municipalities "can enact local laws inconsistent with state laws."

Mr. O'Rourke read from the city charter, which defines the deputy mayor as someone who "is appointed for one year and can be removed from office." He stated that he did not believe Ms. Morris qualified for her position, a sentiment echoed by other residents at the microphone, with one resident calling the proceedings "hogwash."

David Nieri took the microphone to state his opinion regarding the residency of the deputy mayor, with a more personal, rather than legal, perspective. He stated that in some areas, "practicality works better for government" and expressed concern of the "credibility issue" of a non-Glen Cove resident in the position. "I never remember a deputy mayor who did not live in Glen Cove," he said, and "while I'm not sure of all the duties, if the mayor is not here, the deputy mayor steps in." Keeping the tone light, Mr. Nieri posed the scenerio that the mayor might actually find time to take a vacation, perhaps to Sturno, Italy, with his family, in winter. "If a major storm hits, the deputy mayor might not even be able to get to Glen Cove," he said.

The mayor immediately defended Ms. Morris, who was not in attendance at the city council meeting, stating that "she has worked in Glen Cove for two years; she knows the workers, the consultants...she has put in many hours and is more than qualified to do the job. I totally support her, as does the city council and the outgoing deputy mayor [Marilyn Brenner]." Referring back to Mr. Nieri's hypothetical example, the mayor said that DPW knows how to handle a snowstorm.

However, against all arguments, Mr. Nieri summed up the opinion many residents have expressed since the appointment of Ms. Morris. "I just can't believe that in this city," he quietly concluded, "you can't find someone who lives here to do the job."