After more than 20 years of work, Kiwanians in the New York District should soon be able to buy special license plates celebrating their Kiwanis membership.

Past Gov. Eric G. Paul announced at Thursday's district board meeting that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill Aug. 21 to make the Kiwanis plates available, pending completion of a design and arrangements for either a bond or 200 orders to cover the initial cost of the design.

Gov. Stephen Sirgiovanni noted he met the state's governor recently at an event and had an opportunity to ask him to sign the bill.

Paul said he began working on the plates in 1994 when he worked for a state legislator. He noted that Gov. George Pataki, a former Key Club member, vetoed the bill. The now-signed bill was sponsored by state Sen. Patrick Gallivant, R-59, and Assemblyman Michael Miller, D-38, who is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Glendale.

Board members at the meeting wanted to proceed quickly with making the plates available. If needed and money is available, the board voted to post the $6,000 bond with the state in order to move the project forward. As soon as 200 sets of plates are ordered, the money will be returned.

More information needs to be determined and additional information on ordering the plates will be made available at a later date.