LIMM Trustees Dinner Celebrates Community's Efforts

The (LIMM) held its sixth annual Trustees’ Recognition Dinner on April 21 at Land’s End.

Each year, the museum selects individuals from the community who have shown outstanding leadership and made significant contributions in the areas of economic development, government relations and education. More than 130 people were in attendance to celebrate the 2011 honorees. 

This year’s honorees were: Donna Boyle, executive director of Brookhaven-Roe YMCA, Patchogue Family YMCA; Stephen Jones, former Suffolk County Planning Director and former CEO, Suffolk County Water Authority; and , superintendent of the Sayville Public School District.

Dr. Walter Schartner has spent 33 years in the Sayville schools before becoming superintendent in July 2010.For 13 years, he was principal of the where he helped it to become the model school that it is today. While there, Sayville Middle School received the prestigious Essential Elements: Schools to Watch - National School of Excellence Award in both 2000 and 2006. Schartner was also a chemistry teacher and the assistant principal at Sayville High School, a science teacher at the Sayville Middle School, and has coached the Golden Flashes. 

“The purple and gold runs through his veins and he truly believes that the school district is the foundation of the community,” LIMM Chairman Michael Eagan told the crowd.

Dr. Schartner is the recipient of several awards including: 1999 New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education Principal of the Year; 2000 NYSUT Friend of Education Award; 2006 SCOPE Instructional Leadership Award; and 2010 Spike Daly Man of the Year.

One of Donna Boyle's biggest accomplishments began in October 2000 when she spearheaded a plan to build a full facility YMCA in Patchogue village. With a kickoff donation of close to $11 million, the capital campaign ultimately garnered $17.8 million dollars and the Patchogue Family YMCA opened its doors in September 2010. 

Boyle is the recipient of several awards including: 2007 honoree of the Town of Brookhaven Office of Women’s Services; 2008 recipient of the New York State Senate Woman of Distinction award; and 2009 Patchogue Youth and Community Services Woman of the Year.

Stephen Jones recently retired from the Suffolk County Water Authority, where he served for 10 years as CEO. His prior public service included seven years as Suffolk County Planning Director in the 1990s and 12 years with the Town of Islip. He also was a senior vice president for New York Institute of Technology, and was responsible for advancing the development of college-owned real estate in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

He is currently president of Stephen M. Jones Planning and Development, Inc. and teaches in the Geosciences Department of Stony Brook University. 

Jones has served on numerous non-profit boards, including terms as Chairman of the Suffolk County Planning Commission, president of the Suffolk County Historical Society and terms as secretary and vice chairman of LIMM.

“Stephen reflects the sort of attitude that all of want people to have at the LIMM,” said Eagan. “Many of the projects he started while on the board are still being carried out. His impact is still being felt by the LIMM even though he is no longer there.”

Senator Lee Zeldin, Town of Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan and Councilman Gene Parrington were all on hand to celebrate the occasion. Zeldin also presented the honorees with certificates. Interim director Mike Caldwell received a flag flown over the Capitol from Congressman Steve Israel.

There were also raffles and a silent auction to help raise funds for the museum. Some of the more notable items included a private charter aboard the ; architectural services from Graham Associates; sailing lessons on the Manhasset Bay; gear from The Weather Channel; and a photography session from Susan Eckert.