TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Councilwoman Jackson: ‘No Regrets’
By Danny Schrafel/ dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Outgoing Councilwoman Glenda Jackson presided over her final Huntington Town Board meeting Dec. 13, telling residents she was honored to have had the opportunity to serve them during the last six years.

With a huge bouquet of roses in front of her, Jackson, who will be replaced by Independence party member Gene Cook in January, said she always gave it her best and tried to do the right thing during her tenure. Jackson was one of the leading champions of AvalonBay’s most recent proposal to build 379 units in Huntington Station, which was approved in June of this year.

“I hope that you know that the votes that I took were votes of conscience and ones that I thought were best for the entire Town of Huntington,” she said. “I have no regrets – it has been a wonderful experience.”

Another such vote involved Huntington’s Jack Abrams School. When she voted against funding a study to discern the feasibility of swapping the school with Huntington Town Hall, she explained afterwards that her conscience was what guided her.

Jackson became a historic figure when, in February 2006, she became the first African-American appointed to serve on the Huntington Town Board after Marlene Budd vacated the seat. That November, she made history again when she was elected to serve the balance of that seat.

Before giving her a proclamation marking her last town board meeting, Supervisor Frank Petrone saluted Jackson for her dedication to the town, particularly Huntington’s youth and seniors.

“You wouldn’t see Manor Field and Manor Park as it is today were it not for Glenda, and you wouldn’t see the Youth Speak-Out,” Petrone said. “We also wouldn’t have seen the legislation for cell tower restrictions… it was monumental, and it was accomplished. And we wouldn’t see the creation of the African-American [Historic Council].”

Councilman Mark Cuthbertson echoed the supervisor’s sentiments, calling her “the most principled person with whom I have had the pleasure of working with in these past years.”

“She is a terrific, intelligent, hardworking person and I have learned a great amount from her,” Cuthbertson said.

Mark Mayoka, who joined the town board two years ago, said it has been “an honor and a privilege” to sit on the board with Jackson, and Councilwoman Susan Berland wished Jackson all the best in her future endeavors.

Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia got laughs when she told the audience of her and Jackson’s interactions through the years.

“I’ve enjoyed sitting next to her for the past for the last two years because you know that we kind of mutter under our breaths,” Raia teased.

“The mics picked it up,” Petrone quipped back.

“No, well, we’re very quiet. We shut the mics off,” Raia said.