L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

From left are Merrick Republican Executive Leader Al Belbol Sr., assistant to the sanitation commissioner, and wife Esther; former town Sanitation Department Commissioner Richard Ronan of North Merrick and wife Ginny; and Merokians Marian Fraker-Gutin and Jay Pitti of the Overlook Park and Preserve Committee, which supports the Levy Preserve in Merrick.    

DEPUTY TOWN SANITATION COMMISSIONER Mike McConnell of Bellmore, left, in charge of the Levy Preserve in Merrick, greets Bob Lent of North Bellmore, assistant superintendent of the Sanitation Department, at the recent retirement party for former sanitation Commissioner Richard Ronan of North Merrick at the Inn at New Hyde Park.

JOHN CONROY, right, of Wantagh, who grew up in Merrick and is a superintendent of the Sanitation Department, joins Administrative Assistant Bob Lent of North Bellmore, Superintendent Tom Metzger and Dominic Longobardi, second from right, assistant to the commissioner, at former Commissioner Ronan’s recent retirement party.

Assemblyman Tom McKevitt presents a proclamation to Mr. Ronan.

RONAN FAMILY welcomes town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, center back row. From left, standing, are Dr. Edward Ronan, Dr. Michael and Patty Ann Brown Ronan, Ms. Goosby, former Commissioner Richard Ronan and his wife Ginny, and Rich Henn. Seated are Joanne Ronan, Barbara Marr, Sue Lombardo and Wendy Henn.

Below are, standing, Kevin and Christy Ronan, former Commissioner Ronan and Ginny, Kathy Ronan Crespo and Tricia Harten. Seated are Linda and Michael Graziano, Dr. Jean and Tim Ronan, and Frank Harten.

A tribute to Richard Ronan
The OPPAS/Friends of the Levy Preserve Committee takes this opportunity to wish Dick Ronan, the former commissioner of the Department of Sanitation of the Town of  Hempstead, the very best in his recent retirement. 

 We extend to Mr.  Ronan many thanks for his efforts in supervising the planning, implementation and the opening of the Norman J. Levy Park Preserve in the year 2000.  The park-preserve’s many features such as walking trails, ponds, windmill, fishing pier, kayaking, jitneys and park animals were all conceived by Mr. Ronan and his staff for  the visitor’s enjoyment.  Further, the creation of the excellent park ranger corps managed by Assistant Commissioner Mike McConnell has been very well received by the approximately 50,000 visitors a year, and represents another of Mr. Ronan’s efforts for a user-friendly site.

 The OPPAs commitee also wishes to express much gratitude to Mr. Ronan for meeting with our members on a regular basis to keep us and the community informed of the many activities ongoing at the park preserve. Again, from all our current and past OPPAS members, Dick, enjoy this new phase in your life to the fullest, such as your selection to the Southeast Nassau Water Authority.

Jay Pitti, Chairman

By Paul Laursen

Paul Laursen is the managing editor for L&M Publications. He has been recognized with a variety of awards in both professional and community service arenas.