Sands Point Mayor Named Citizen of the Year

Sands Point Mayor Leonard Wurzel added another feather to his cap, as the Community Chest of Port Washington named him its "Citizen of the Year" during an awards ceremony at the Community Synagogue.

The Citizen of the Year Award honors outstanding volunteer service on behalf of the residents of Port Washington. Wurzel is its 39th recipient.

Community Chest Vice President Nancy Cowles presented the award on April 14, noting that Wurzel had to be asked twice before he would agree to accept the honor.

 "Leonard is well-liked," Cowles said. "As a clam digger, that's an original Port Washington person, said to me, 'What a good choice. Leonard is one of the good guys.'"

Best known as the Mayor of Sands Point since 1989, Wurzel has also served as a member and chairman of the Sands Point Zoning Appeals Board, on the Board of Trustees and as Building and Water Commissioner. Wurzel has also worked on the steering committee for the Shared Visioning Process for Port Washington, the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee and the Emergency Preparedness Committee.

"Leonard is a true gentleman and knowledgeable and effective leader who exhibits strong professional and personal ethics," said Cowles in her remarks. "He is a man of vision who uses the skills he has and wields his power wisely. He is both idealistic and pragmatic. He is not afraid to take potentially unpopular stances."

Scores of Port Washington civic and government leaders turned out for the tribute. Councilman Fred Pollack was one of the many elected officials who spoke. "I don't know that you're being honored as much for what you've done but for the way in which you've done it," Pollack said. "Behind the scenes, quietly, calmly, by listening to people and bringing people together."

Wurzel was introduced by his two sons, Mark and Larry Wurzel, Schreiber graduates and executives in the international family candy business Calico Cottage, Inc.

"You know him as Citizen of the Year, but I know him as the father of a lifetime," said Mark Wurzel who spoke alongside his brother Larry.

In the evening's most unusual tribute, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator serenaded Wurzel with a rendition of "You're the Top." The homage was a tongue-in-cheek nod to Wurzel's life-long crush on Monroe.

The Community Chest of Port Washington is a not-for-profit organization that acts as a fundraising umbrella supporting programming for 21 local charities. Programs include services for senior citizens, children and teenagers, victims of domestic violence and performing arts organizations. The Community Chest estimates its funding helps provide services for more than one in four Port Washington residents. The Chest also sponsors two popular Port Washington institutions the Thanksgiving Day Run and the Manhasset Bay Kayak Run.