John Mauk Applauded For Years of Service

Last weekend, John Mauk sat in his basement rummaging through what seemed like endless boxes of paperwork, recalling 11 years worth of service to the Garden City village board.

For more than a decade he sat on the dais in Garden City Village Hall's boardroom debating policy and on March 18, he said goodbye to village politics.

Former mayor Hal Hecken nudged him to serve, believing his work at the time on the school bond committee as well as his background in construction would be an asset in helping to find a solution to Saint Paul's.

"Little did any of us know at that time what a strange odyssey I was beginning," Mauk said.

His colleague from the East, Dennis Donnelly, admitted it's never a "thankful job."

"I think he's done it with dignity and grace through some very tough times," he said.

Mauk said his tenure on the board had its share of ups and downs, admitting his one regret is stepping down without resolution on Saint Paul's.

"I have over the past many years devoted a lot of time and energy and effort toward trying to find a solution to this building," he said. "I said when I first came on this board I would never ever vote for the demolition of Saint Paul's. I came very close recently to reconsidering. Fortunately, I leave this board and I won't have to make that decision."

Mauk believes time will tell that AvalonBay's residential proposal for the site was the "one last opportunity" the village had to save the building.

"I know others will disagree with me and as I leave this board I hope that others will be successful in finding some other solution," he said. "I do think the Saint Paul's building is a treasure. I think it's a part of the essential character of this community as well as Long Island. I think it's a terrible disgrace we are facing demolition of the building. I'm not sure that there's another option at the present time but that's where we are."

He passed on the opportunity to serve as Garden City mayor, instead nominating friend and current mayor, Robert Rothschild, to take over the reigns.

"One of the best decisions I made was to decide not to run for mayor and to encourage my friend Rob Rothschild to do so," he said, smiling. "And certainly it's relieved me of a lot of headaches he now has to deal with."

Mayor Rothschild, who served many years with Mauk on the board and as fellow members of the Estates Property Owners'Association, admitted they had their differences early on.

"When we really sat down and started talking about things, we got through it and I respect John for that," he said. "The things that John has brought to the village I think are incalculable."

Mauk was also active on the village's Planning Commission for nine years. Building Superintendent Mike Filippon, who worked very closely with him on myriad issues, said he was disappointed when Mauk left the commission for the board of trustees.

"I'm hoping if we ever have another vacancy he might reconsider," he said.

Mauk said serving the village has required determination, dedication and hard work and admits he won't miss all the skipped meals on many Thursday nights.

"But there are many things I will miss," he said. "And I know as I leave office it's in good hands ... Thank you all for the privilege of being able to do so.

"I do, based on an insider's view, think we can all be very proud of the staff and the governmental system that we have," he added, applauding the work of village staff and that of his colleagues over the years.

Next month, Mauk will officially pass the torch to Brian Daughney, who swears in during the board's organization meeting. Daughney currently serves as president of the Estates POA and chair of the Joint Conference Committee. He, along with his fellow Community Agreement trustee candidates, Deputy Mayor Don Brudie and Trustees John Watras and Nick Episcopia, prevailed in Tuesday's village election.

Daughney said Mauk's always been "forthright and honest" even when his positions weren't particularly popular.

"He stated his opinion and his case and we're really better for having him as a representative for the past 11 years," Daughney said.