Nicholas P. Episcopia Is Nominated For Village Trustee

NicholasEpiscopia

The 10-Member Nominating Committee of the Eastern Section of Garden City has selected Nicholas Episcopia as the candidate for re-election to the position of Village Trustee. It was the consensus of the Committee that not only has he ably represented the interests of the Eastern Section of Garden City, but also those of the Village as a whole. In addition to the St. Paul's issue, he has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the other very serious issues currently facing the Village, defines them with clarity, and advocates citizen input.

Throughout his years of service to the Village, and also as President, Vice President and Director of the Eastern Property Owners' Association and a member of the Joint Conference Committee of the Four Property Owners' Associations, Nick has consistently demonstrated a pro-active stance and responsiveness to residents' concerns about development both to the east of the Village and within its borders, and also about taxes and the Village budget. His professional expertise in real estate enables him to ask direct, on-point and probing questions regarding any potential development of the St. Paul's building, as well as the County-owned property in Roosevelt Field, the HUB, and other sites within the Village.

As Village Trustee, he has served as Building Commissioner, Liaison Trustee to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission and Architectural Design Review Board, Chairman of the Environmental Advisory Review Board, Chairman of the Mayor's Committee to Study Assisted Living at the Cathedral site, and Liaison to the Business Community. He has been the Board of Trustees' representative to work with officials from neighboring villages to formulate strategies to oppose the LIRR's plan to build a 3rd track on the Main Line and to state the Village's opposition at MTA Scoping Sessions.

As he did before becoming a Trustee, Nick continues to attend County Planning Commission hearings and presentations on the County's proposed residential development of 11.8 acres in Roosevelt Field, the HUB Development, and the proposed light rail system that would cut through the Village and residential neighborhoods in the East.

In a continuing effort to encourage citizen participation in Village affairs, as a Trustee, he supported the appointment of a Citizens' Committee to review the Village budgeting process, and proposed the appointment of a Citizens' Committee to assist the Village Board and POAs in monitoring and opposing the County's proposals for development of the HUB and within Roosevelt Field, as well as the light rail system.

As EPOA President, Nick met with representatives of the Police Department, EPOA Board and various neighborhoods to resolve speeding and traffic problems on certain residential streets; convinced the Board of Trustees and LIPA to restore plantings removed by LIPA from property bordering the LIRR along St. James Street; pressed the Board of Trustees to urge the County to place a traffic light at Franklin Avenue & Fourth Street; and convinced the Board of Trustees to grant veterans' tax exemptions for co-operative apartment owners, putting them on equal footing with single-family and condominium home owners. Along with Directors from the four POAs, he worked to develop the St. Paul's Survey to determine the wishes of all Garden City residents regarding the future use of the building.

Nick has been active in many community organizations dating back to 1973. He is a past Director and current member of the Men's Association of Garden City High School; a member of the St. Joseph's In-Home Pre-Cana Committee; Director of the L.I. Fordham Club; a past President of the Garden City Jaycees; and served as Treasurer of St. Joseph's Men's Guild.

He holds a BA from Fordham University and an MBA in Finance from Long Island University. He is Senior Vice President of Excel Realty Advisors, a real estate consulting firm; a member of the NY Mortgage Bankers Association, and has been a guest speaker at the New York Bar Association Conference on Cooperatives and Condominiums. He served in the US Army as Captain and Executive Officer of the Military Intelligence Company, 82nd Airborne Division.

Nick and his wife, Dorothy, have been residents of the Eastern Section of Garden City for over 33 years. Their son and daughter attended Garden City public schools.