Shown in photo at left at the Cromarty table are: Alice Cromarty, christine Herrick, Emily Herrick, James Murphy, honoree Arthur Cromarty, Ellin Cromarty, and Mary Pugh

Saying the large turnout was a tribute to the two men being honored, Babylon Town Republican leader Harry Withers thanked supporters who gathered for the party’s annual Lincoln’s Day dinner at La Grange in West Islip, April 19.

"They have worked to promote the ideals of Republicanism and are a tribute to the philosophies we hold dear," Withers told the crowd of approximately 250 people who honored Leroy Van Nostrand and Arthur Cromarty.

The two men double-teamed to give their "fans" a rundown of local politics over the past decades, focusing on the importance of "maintaining the public’s trust," said Cromarty.

"As my mother would say, there are always some bad apples in the basket but I can honestly say that over the years, the majority of the Republicans have worked very hard to make sure that those Republicans who did not conduct themselves property or did something wrong were held accountable," said Cromarty, a former presiding judge for the Suffolk County Court system, Babylon Town Supervisor and county Republican Chair.

Shown in photo below at the Van Nostrand table are: Peg Van Nostrand, Karen Van Nostrand, Gail Macfarland, Judy Stergis, Roy Van Nostrand, David Van Nostrand, Jeanne Van Nostrand, Joanne Allar and David Desmond.

"Over the years, we have had leaders and people in the party who were in it for personal gain, and not for the good of the party," Van Nostrand said a few days after the event. "I think that the evening that night showed we have turned the corner and that there is a new spirit in the party.Harry (Withers) has the true interest of the Republican party at heart."

"His comments are kind," said Withers. "But I agree that the evening was a big success and that the crowd was very enthusiastic.

The Babylon GOP is holding its caucus for November’s election May 17 and weaving through the crowd were several candidate-hopefuls, including teacher and coach Tom Gargiulo, who has screened for Town Council, and Patricia Williams, a former vice president of external affairs for Farmingdale State University and community leader who is seeking the GOP nod to run for legislator in the 15th District.

Van Nostrand is an attorney in Amityville who served as Republican County leader and a member of the Suffolk County Community College Board. He was also a Republican State Committeeman and a committeeman in the Babylon party for more than 40 years.

Both men said they were honored for being named the Men of the Year.

"He contributed a great deal to the town and county," said Van Nostrand in discussing Cromarty’s work. Of his own honor, Van Nostrand said "it was unnecessary."