Farmingville, NY – – On March 23, the Brookhaven Town Office of Women's Services held its’ 37th Annual Women's Recognition Awards Night in the auditorium at Town Hall in Farmingville. The event honored women who live or work in the Town of Brookhaven and have demonstrated excellence in a variety of areas. Nominations were considered by members of Brookhaven Women's Advisory Board and selected based on resumes and letters of recommendation. Pictured with the recipients are (standing from left) Supervisor Ed Romaine; Town Clerk Kevin LaValle; Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (back row, eighth from left). Pictured from right are Councilman Michael Loguercio; Tax Receiver Lou Marcoccia and Deputy Supervisor/Councilman Dan Panico. Supervisor Romaine and the members of the Town Board each nominated a woman who resides in the Town to receive a Special Commendation for Outstanding Service.
Special Commendation for Outstanding Service Award Recipients:
Supervisor Ed Romaine and Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico: Miriam Gillies, resident of Center Moriches Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich: Dr. Mei Lin “Ete” Chan, Stony Brook University
Councilwoman Jane Bonner: Jennifer Carlson, resident of Rocky Point
Councilman Michael A. Loguercio: Lorraine Kuehn, resident of Bellport
Councilman Neil Foley: Carol A. Seitz-Cusack, resident of Patchogue
Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle: Patricia Oakes-Poggi, resident of Centereach
Women's Recognition Award Recipients:
Business: Indu Kaur, resident of Port Jefferson Station
Communications/ Media: Edna J. White, resident of Coram
Community Service Professional: Tijuana Fulford, resident of Mastic Beach
Community Service Volunteer: Joyce A. Bourne, resident of Middle Island
Community Service Volunteer: Erin Dueñas, resident of Sound Beach
Education: Dr. Stephanie Engelmann, resident of Port Jefferson
Health Care Provider: Christina Kocis CNM, DNP, FACNM, Stony Brook Medicine
Law Enforcement: Candice Berezny, Suffolk County Sherriff’s Office
Legal Profession: Melissa Negrin-Wiener, resident of Port Jefferson
Medicine: Ramona Rajapaske, MD, resident of Port Jefferson
Religion: Kara Bocchino, resident of Centereach
Science: Dr. Allison McComiskey, resident of Port Jefferson
The Town of Brookhaven's Office of Women's Services, a Division of the Department of General Services, provides a variety of services for women and their families. For more information, please call 631-451-6146 or visit the Town's website.
Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico said, “The reaffirmation of Brookhaven’s Aaa bond rating by Moody’s is a testament to the diligence of this administration, in cooperation and collaboration with a Town Board that is unified in purpose. As the Deputy Supervisor, and elected Councilman, for a Town of nearly 500,000 residents, which is geographically larger than Nassau County, I can say assuredly that our fiscal health is a credit to the active daily management of our team and the continued recognition that we must seek pragmatic solutions to issues, not political ones. I thank them all for their work on behalf of our residents.”
Town of Brookhaven Finance Liaison, Councilwoman Jane Bonner said, “For more than a decade, the Town’s financial position has been gaining strength. As a result, we have maintained our Aaa bond rating despite the downturn in the economy. I am proud to work with Supervisor Romaine, Deputy Supervisor Panico our financial team at Town Hall and my colleagues on the Town Board to assure that we continue to spend wisely and always have a sharp eye on the bottom line.”
