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AMITYvIlle _____________
HERALD ReCORD
Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
St. Mary’s Fall Musicale
CSD student Amara Jordan recognized
ASD hosts Grandparents Day
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VOL. 75 NO. 50
DECEMBER 3 - 9, 2025
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Fire Commissioners up for re-election Tues., December 9 By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Carolyn James/Herald
Rev. Father Randolph Jon Geminder, center, is shown with newly installed pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Rev. Dale Wan Wormer, left, and the church’s organist and choir master Joe Guidice, right, at the church’s presentation of mosaic honoring Father Geminder’s 50 years of dedication to the church.
St. Mary’s unveils mosaic honoring Rev. Geminder’s 50 years of service By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
St. Mary’s Church unveiled a mosaic of St. John Chrysostom on Sunday, Nov. 10, honoring the legacy of the Rev. Randolph Jon Geminder and his 50 years of service to the parish. St. John Chrysostom, the fifth-century archbishop of Constantinople, was known as the “golden-mouthed” for his eloquent preaching, uncompromising commitment to truth and tireless pastoral care — qualities parish leaders said echo Geminder’s own ministry. “His life of teaching, shepherding and sacrificial service stands as a fitting example for us as we honor Father Geminder,” said Joe Guidice, speaking on behalf of the church parishioners. “In gratitude for that ministry, we presented and dedicated this icon, and we
formally name him our rector emeritus.” The Rev. Dale Van Wormer, who assumed the role of rector Sept. 28, attended the dedication with his wife, Samantha. A native of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Van Wormer is a graduate of Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin and has served as a priest for five years, along with six years in parish leadership. Geminder reflected on his ministry in Amityville with warmth and gratitude. “I love St. Mary’s, and I love Amityville; it is a special place,” he said. “I have learned that the old motto of amity and friendship is not a hackneyed phrase. This village cares for its people. Whether you work in a boatyard or are the CEO of a big company, everyone is the same.” The mosaic will remain on display in the church in Geminder’s honor.
Voters in the Copiague and Massapequa fire districts will go to the polls Tuesday, Dec. 9, to elect members of their Boards of Fire Commissioners. Fire commissioners are volunteers and receive no compensation for their service. They are responsible for establishing policies and procedures within the department, working with the other members to assess and secure equipment and apparatus and for the department’s annual budget.
COPIAGUE
Incumbent Copiague Fire Commissioner Richard Sica is seeking another five-year term. He has served on the board for 14 years. Sica, a Copiague resident for 27 years, is a retired NYPD officer. He has two daughters and six grandchildren. He is running unopposed. “In the past five years, we on the Board of Fire Commissioners have made a lot of progress with the upkeep and expansion of the firehouses,” Sica said, noting the construction of a new building adjacent to the Great Neck Road firehouse that provides additional space for equipment and vehicles. “As we have grown, we needed more room for our new ambulance,
our marine unit equipment and our high-water rescue truck.” In the next five years, Sica said he plans to focus on membership and retention, including testing new programs to attract volunteers and keep current members engaged. “With work schedules today, and everyone working two jobs and overtime to make ends meet, many young people don’t have the time to volunteer,” he said. He added that efforts such as strengthening the department’s junior program and helping volunteers secure affordable housing and other incentives have helped. “We have a full contingent of 30 junior members, and we believe that if they have an interest in service when they are younger, they will be more apt to join and stay on as adults,” he said. Sica said he looks forward to continuing to work with the board to maintain high-quality public service, ensure volunteers have the latest equipment and keep costs down. The department has about 120 volunteers, along with paid EMS personnel on duty 24/7 and supplemented by volunteers. It operates with a $5.4 million budget, which has remained flat for five years. This year, due to rising costs for insurance, fuel and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2