The Town of Babylon Department of Human Services recently presented “Hallowed Ground: Sites of African American Memory” in celebration of Black History Month. The event honored several members of the community and featured a keynote address by Suffolk County District Court Judge Derrick Robinson. Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer was joined by Town Councilwoman Jackie Gordon, Town Councilman Tom Donnelly, Town Clerk Carol Quirk, and Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey in congratulating the honorees. The following awards were given out to members of the Town community:
-The Unity Award: Regina Arvon, Probation Officer (Ret.) and Rosemarie Dearing, Community Organizer
-The Economics Award: Richelieu Dennis, Founder and CEO, Sundial Brands
-The Special Recognition Award: DuWayne Gregory, Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, 15th District
-The Community Service Award: Darlene and Nathan Jackson, Community Activists
-The Excellence in Education Award: Gina Talbert, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Wyandanch School District
Pictured (seated) from left to right are Regina Arvon, Rosemarie Dearing, Jamie Saleebe (on behalf of Richelieu Dennis), DuWayne Gregory, Darlene Jackson, Nathan Jackson, and Gina Talbert. Pictured (standing) from left to right are Legislator McCaffrey, Clerk Quirk, Suffolk County District Court Judge Toni Bean, Amityville High School Principal Dr. Clinton Grant, Judge Robinson, Councilwoman Gordon, Councilman Donnelly, Town of Babylon Commissioner of Human Services Madeline Quintyne, Town of Babylon Deputy Commissioner of Human Services Traci A. Fonville, Mistress of Ceremonies Deborah Payton-Jones, and Supervisor Schaffer.