Oyster Bay Officials Vow to Serve

In a grand ceremony before a packed house of dignitaries, six elected representatives made a solemn vow to uphold the U.S. and New York State constitutions and serve the people who elected them.

, three town board members and two town-wide elected officials took the oath before about 200 people, including family and a host of Nassau's GOP elite, at a ceremony at Oyster Bay Town Hall Tuesday afternoon.

With family members at their side, Venditto and four others placed their hands on a Bible dating to 1854. It once belonged to one of Oyster Bay's founding families who. Town Clerk , a former state Assemblyman, chose to use his own family Bible for the ceremony.

The town's GOP completed a sweep of November's elections, meaning Republicans hold all nine elected offices in Oyster Bay. Venditto said there was a reason for the Republican sweep:

"This town board and the many of the people in this room have been vigilant about protecting our suburban quality of life," Venditto said. There are people who want to... urbanize the Town of Oyster Bay and no one works harder to protect that from happening than the members of this town board."

The event was remarkable for its humanity and its moments of humor.

It began with an honor guard of veterans presenting the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. But Venditto and Councilman of North Massapequa brought waves of laughter with self-deprecating remarks about their gift for gab. Receiver of Taxes took the oath with one hand on the Townsend Bible, the other clutching his grandson, Patrick.

Through election quirks, Plainview's had to win election three years in a row to earn her seat, now for four years. The lawyer and mom took the oath as her husband, Salvatore, held the Townsend Bible. of Farmingdale took the oath with wife, Susan, beside him.

All of the elected officials praised their families for putting up with their careers and long hours.

Nassau County Executive made a brief appearance and praised the town. Nassau GOP Chairman attended and widely praised by Venditto. Many high-ranking Nassau police officers were also in attendance, including Chief of Department