The LIRRCC recently welcomed two new members: Owen Costello of Port Washington has filled one of the four open Nassau County positions; Matt Kessler of Far Rockaway is the first person to represent the Borough of Brooklyn.
Mr. Costello is with the New York State Banking Department. He works in Manhattan and rides the Port Washington Branch. He arrived at his first Council meeting armed with a portfolio of pictures showing debris at the Port Washington Station on the right of way, outside train cars and around the station. These items were brought to the attention of LIRR personnel and the Rail Road is addressing the problems.
Matt Kessler is a senior transportation professional and has served for the past 18 years as Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer for the Peninsula Funeral Service in Hollis, NY. Mr. Kessler is currently working on his masters degree in transit management at Brooklyn Polytechnic University and commutes on the LIRR to attend classes. He has been a regular attendee at the Council meetings for the last year and has become very familiar with rider issues.
Mr. Costello’s appointment leaves three open positions on the Council from Nassau County. For one of these openings an individual has been nominated by County Executive Thomas Suozzi and we are currently awaiting approval and appointment by Governor Paterson.