Valley Stream village board holds reorganization meeting

The village of Valley Stream held its annual reorganization meeting last Monday to formally install its new slate of officers to the board of trustees as well as reshuffle and renew village government positions.

Political newcomer Kevin Waszak was sworn in and took the oath of office as a village trustee, replacing former trustee Vincent Grasso. Mayor Edwin Fare and trustee Dermond Thomas were also sworn in following their re-election win to a fourth term. “We at the United Community Party have a lot that we can point to that demonstrates we’ve put in a lot of hard work,” said Dermond. “I will continue to uphold the public trust to the best of my ability.”

Justice Melanie Jenkins was sworn into her first full term as Village Justice. Jenkins was appointed by Mayor Edwin Fare to fill the remainder of the unexpired term left by Village Justice Virginia Clavin-Higgins following her resignation last year. She will be the second woman to hold that seat in the village’s nearly one-hundred-year history.

“Village courts are often called the courts closest to the people because they cover matters affecting the local community. It’s long been the goal of village courts to serve the community by providing substantial, timely, and equal justice,” said Jenkins. “Village Justices understand the community, are active in their communities, and understand the local needs. I promise to uphold the highest standards of fairness and justice and make sure quality of life cases, which can impact the wellbeing of our community, are quickly addressed.”

The board appointed Trustee John Tufarelli to serve as deputy mayor for one year and James J. Hunter as village clerk. Carol McKenna was appointed as the village historian, and the Valley Stream Herald, Newsday, and the Long Island Tribune were declared the official newspapers of the village.

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