2 new members join Glen Cove city council

Members of a new multiparty Glen Cove City Council were sworn in Monday as Mayor Ralph Suozzi called for cooperation across party lines.

"We must work hard. We must work smart. And most importantly, we must work together," Suozzi said in his inaugural address.

Republican Anthony Gallo Jr. and Independence Party member Reginald Spinello join the city leadership as the first non-Democrats on the council in 12 years.

They took oaths of office alongside their Democratic counterparts -- re-elected councilmen Nicholas DiLeo, Michael Famiglietti, Anthony Jimenez and Timothy Tenke, plus Suozzi -- before an audience of dignitaries, city employees and residents who packed City Hall's chambers.

"I'm feeling good about the future of Glen Cove," Gallo said after the ceremony. The schoolteacher added that he hoped to inspire his students. "If they want to see change in the world, they must get involved," he said.

Gallo pledged to "do my best, look at the facts and make decisions based on evidence."

Spinello, who ran on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines, said he will introduce "fresh ideas and new thoughts" to the council.

"Today we celebrate what tomorrow brings -- the business of serving people," said Spinello, a retired pharmaceutical business executive.

Suozzi's inaugural address touted the achievements of his past three two-year terms.

"Today, our processes are better, our finances are better, our environment is cleaner, our infrastructure and quality of life are much improved, but there is more work to be done," he said. "Our outstanding debt is still $56 million, and though that's considerably lower than the $71 million about four years ago, we still have a ways to go."

Gallo and Spinello succeed Democrats Sean Dwyer, who did not win re-election, and Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, who was elected to the Nassau County Legislature.