East's Nominating Committee Announces Candidates

The elected members of the 10-Member Garden City East Nominating Committee have nominated Dennis Donnelly to the Village's Board of Trustees for a two-year term and also selected current School Board Trustee Laura Brown for a new three-year term. The names of both candidates will be placed in nomination at the January 20, 2009 Resident Electors' meeting to be held 7:30 p.m. at the Garden City Library.

Mayor Peter Bee's term expires on April 1, 2009, and he has decided to retire. The Nominating Committee was unanimous in its selection of Dennis Donnelly. In addition to serving as the president of the Eastern Property Owners' Association (EPOA) for the past two years, Dennis is also chairman of the Joint Conference Committee of Property Owners' Associations. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and has served as Chairman of the Pineapple Ball Committee since its inception in 2003. The Chamber honored Dennis with the Community Achievement Award in 2007. Dennis has served as chairman of the 10- Member Nominating Committee of the East and, as a director of the EPOA, he served on the St. Paul's Survey Committee.

Dennis, who has lived in Garden City since 1969, retired from Verizon Communications in 2004 as Director of Government and Community Relations for the Long Island region. He was with Verizon and its predecessor companies for 35 years.

New York City Mayors Lindsey, Beame and Koch each appointed Dennis to various ad hoc committees involving NYC operations. He has also served in various capacities advising the Borough presidents of Queens and Brooklyn.

Dennis and his wife of 32 years, Nancy, have three adult children who all attended Garden City schools. They are members of St. Joseph's Church.

Laura Brown has been active in many local organizations since moving to Garden City 10 years ago. Now running for her second term as a School Board Trustee, Laura began her career as a high school English teacher in New York City and currently teaches English in the Mineola Middle School. She holds a Master's degree from CW Post and an Advanced Certificate in School Administration and Supervision from Brooklyn College.

Laura and her husband, Richard, have four children who attend the Garden City schools. She and her family have been active in the GCAA, the Centennials, RAMS lacrosse and the Renegades Lacrosse Club. Laura has served on the boards of the Garden City Nursery School, the Garden City PTA, GC Welcome Wagon and the Junior League of Long Island.

John Pittoni is chairperson of the Garden City East's 10-Member Nominating Committee. Other members are Jim Brady, Jim Carney, Maureen Clancy, John Delaney, Roger Eltringham, Dorothy Episcopia, Hal Hecken (unable to serve), Gerhardt Muller and Allison Sparacino.