Recognizing Local Heros

During the pandemic many of our residents who are healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers, teachers and others have been going over and above the call of duty to serve the community.  Wesley Hills wants to recognize those efforts.  As many of you have already done, the Village has posted a large sign at Village Hall thanking these heroes for the work they are doing. 

In addition, we are looking to recognize individuals who are brought to our attention by distributing letters of praise we receive to the entire community.  If you know a Wesley Hills resident or someone who works in the Village who you would like to recognize, please send an email to mayor@wesleyhills.org and we will publish it to our mailing list.  The first such letter we received is printed below - if you see this letter's honoree, Mr. Joseph A. Zupnik, please thank him for everything he had done.

Dear Mayor Katz,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you today at the close of Memorial Day 2020, thinking about the meaning of this holiday and how this new war against the coronavirus has claimed so many lives of those on the front lines as well. During this pandemic we were praying for the welfare of all those that were sick, and certainly those who put themselves in harm's way to help others. I can say that the past few months have been the most difficult experiences for today's society, and certainly our small community which has endured much hardship and grief.

I am compelled to write this letter now and share it with you because one of our local community residents has shown an unaverred devotion and dedication to our community, Village, Town, State, and society, in the face of crisis during the past few months. He has put himself in harm's way by being a dedicated Volunteer Paramedic and First Responder. He would run out on calls night and day, and has availed himself to a multitude of projects and activities that go far beyond what would be expected of a Paramedic or your average citizens. I know, firsthand, the countless acts of generosity that have benefited our community, and for that reason ask that you, our Mayor, acknowledge Mr. Joseph A. Zupnik.

Joseph not only answered calls as a paramedic day and night, he made house calls too. He assisted and tended care to those not ill enough to go to the hospital and helped many return home from the hospital with proper care coordination, supplies, and sometimes oxygen. As the community was preparing for the Passover holiday, we needed advice from the medical community and Joseph agreed to be on our panel of professionals. With Joseph’s help, we hosted a zoom video call with well over 150 participants from our community. The advice Joseph gave everyone was practical, understandable, and most of all calming during this truly difficult time.

The last point I want to share is the most amazing. When local hospitals simply had no more room and a field hospital needed to be planned and created, Joseph Zupnik was there again at the forefront. I have been told by several EMS and Town officials that he put a plan in place, located and sourced all of the equipment and staff, and was ready to activate his facility should the need arise. Thankfully, it did not.

I don’t know of any honor that can be bestowed upon Joseph for these great acts and I therefore turn to you. He saved so many people in this community and was able to substantially improve the quality of life of so many others during this horrible pandemic. He is an exemplary individual.