Mayor Brudie Presides Over Final Meeting

Don Brudie said he doesn't know what he'll do with all the free time on his hands as he presided over his final village board meeting Thursday.

The 44th mayor of Garden City thanked colleagues and residents for the eight-year run.

"On behalf of my family and myself I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the residents for all of their kind support ... and giving me this honor to sit up here and serve you the past two years as mayor and the prior six as trustee," he said.

He praised staff, the "driving force" behind the success of the village, and said the compliments he's received while serving on the Village Officials Association's executive board for the past five years have been many.

"We are the envy of Nassau County," he said. "I hear it every meeting I go to. We get accolades that are just incredible."

Trustees thanked Brudie, and trustee Laurence Quinn who is also leaving the board, for years of service. "All the luck in the world in your retirement and best of health to you and your family," trustee Nick Episcopia said.

"Thank you for your years of service to the village and your dedication to this village in making it the place it is. I know you hold it near and dear to your heart," trustee Dennis Donnelly said of Brudie.

The changing of the guards officially takes place during swearing-in ceremonies at the April 1 organizational meeting as the board welcomes John Watras, Garden City's 45th mayor. (New trustees Robert Bolebruch and Richard Silver will also be taking the oath that evening.)