Islip's new leaders sworn in

The slate of incoming Islip Town Republican/Conservatives led by Supervisor Tom Croci and fellow freshman council members John Cochrane and Anthony Senft was formally inaugurated Monday before a capacity crowd in Bohemia.

A who's who of Republican, Conservative and Independence party leadership and rank-and-file members heard Croci and GOP town chairman Frank Tantone speak of a fresh start in Islip.

"We may have actually begun something here in Islip," said master of ceremonies Tantone, who is credited with returning longtime Republican-dominated Islip to GOP control after five years under Democratic Supervisor Phil Nolan. "People who want to serve all of us, in it for the right reasons . . . because they want our government to run properly."

Among those in the 800-seat Connetquot High School auditorium -- packed to standing room only -- were veterans groups, fire district and ambulance service personnel throughout the town, and assorted dignitaries, including Democrats Rep. Steve Israel of Dix Hills and Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.

Croci, who won the supervisor's race by 343 votes, thanked those who had worked "tirelessly to make this day happen" and thanked others in the audience, whom he suggested might be attending "just to make sure it did happen."

He will serve a 4-year term.

In a speech peppered with references to far-flung corners of the world such as Afghanistan, where he served as a naval intelligence officer, and other military allusions, Croci said his team would be "standing the watch" in Islip, mindful of massive budget challenges that lie ahead and the need to represent all the town's residents.

"We will once again build in this town," he said, adding his team would take a hard look at the scope of government and address the fiscal challenges. "We are not going to kick them on to future generations," he said.

Town Clerk Olga Hopkins Murray and Receiver of Taxes Alexis Weik were also sworn in.

Others on the stage included incumbent town council members Steve Flotteron and Trish Bergin Weichbrodt, whom Croci recently named acting deputy supervisor; county legislators John Kennedy, Tom Cilmi and Rick Montano; Islandia Village Mayor Alan Dormer and GOP county Treasurer Angie Carpenter. State officials included Sens. Owen Johnson and Lee Zeldin, and Assemblymen Phillip Boyle, Al Graf, Michael Fitzpatrick and Phil Ramos, whose districts encompass parts of Islip.