Legislator Laura Schaefer to Receive the Community Achievement Award

                    The Garden City Chamber of Commerce announced today that Legislator Laura Schaefer will receive the Community Achievement Award at the May 5 Pineapple Ball.
                The Chamber established this award in 1974 to recognize outstanding professionalism within the Village of Garden City and beyond, through one’s position or vocation.
                Laura Schaefer epitomizes all that public service aspires to be.  Ever since Laura entered public service in 2013, the Village of Garden City has benefited greatly from her dedication and conscientious focus on constituent issues. 
                Chamber Vice President Michael Ventre commented that Laura always goes the extra mile.  She has contributed greatly to the Chamber by her participation in our luncheons, the Friday Night Promenades, the Chamber Tree Lighting, the Fall Festival and Homecoming and numerous special events.
                Laura grew up in Westbury and graduated from Adelphi University with a B.A. in Communications.   She was later admitted to practice law in New York State, receiving her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law.
                Laura currently practices law in the areas of Land Use, Real Estate and Litigation practice groups at the firm of Walsh, Markus, McDougal and Debellis, LLP, in Garden City.
                Prior to entering the legal field, Laura worked for the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan, where she excelled in hospitality management overseeing large departments that were crucial to expediting guest services in order to provide customers with an exceptional stay.
                Laura Schaefer was elected to the Nassau County Legislature in 2013 representing the 14th Legislative District and was then reelected by a wide margin in 2015.  As a Legislator, her advocacy extends beyond her legal practice to include representation of over 71,000 constituents.  She has assumed several committee leadership roles in the areas of development and the environment, capital planning and budgeting, intergovernmental relations, governmental operations, public health and social services.  As a result, Laura has gained extensive experience in funding for community revitalization projects and has approved the appointment of qualified and experienced individuals to serve on various management and oversight boards in Nassau County. She is Chairwoman of the Planning, Development & the Environment Committee, Vice Chair of the Towns, Villages & Cities Committee, and a Member of the Government Services & Operations and Health & Social Services Committees.
                In addition, Laura is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Nassau County Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Irish-Americans in Government, United Way Women's Leadership Council, Belmont Child Care Association Advisory Council and Bethpage Kiwanis.
            She currently resides in Westbury, New York.