East Williston mayor appointed president of village officials association
The Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA) elected its executive board for the 2013-14 year on Thursday, June 27, headed up by newly appointed president and current East Williston Mayor David Tanner.
This year’s installation dinner was held at the La Marmite Restaurant in Williston Park, where a virtual who’s who of local and county government was present, including recently appointed Town of Oyster Bay Clerk James Altadonna, formerly the mayor of Massapequa Park.
Ralph Kreitzman, the outgoing president and current Mayor of Great Neck, welcomed the assembled mayors of the numerous municipalities represented at the meeting, expressing that his two consecutive terms as president were proud and productive ones.
“They say time goes fast when you’re having fun…but in my case, I feel that the characterization should be educational, challenging, frustrating, rewarding, and yes…some fun,” he said. “But whatever we call it, it’s been an interesting two years, and I want to thank you for the privilege of being President of this organization that, for the past 88 years, has represented, educated, and advocated for us.”
The new-appointed NCVOA Board members for 2013-14 are David Tanner, mayor of East Williston, as president; Barbara Donno, mayor of Plandome Manor, as 1st vice-president; Peter Cavallaro, mayor of Westbury, as 2nd vice-president; and Bernard Ryba, mayor of Old Brookville, as treasurer. The new board members were unanimously elected to their one-year terms by the gathered NCVOA members, and were officially sworn into their posts by Maureen O’Connell, county clerk of Nassau County.
Tanner, a former 1st vice-president who was elected mayor of East Williston in May 2011, said that he would handle his new position as NCVOA president with the same dedication that he devotes to the residents of the village of East Williston each and every day.
“I really can’t tell you how much this means to me…I really want to thank everyone here tonight,” he said. “I’ve been with this organization for about 15 years, but tonight it’s not about me, it’s about this organization and its work, and how we contribute to our residents’ quality of life and make their lives more meaningful, make them feel closer to their government, their community, and enrich their own daily lives.”
Kreitzman expressed his support for the new executive board members, and said that, just because he was no longer president, it didn’t mean that his service to the public was anywhere near finished.
“I want to congratulate our incoming officers, and I want to tell them that this is not a swan song” he said. “I plan on continuing to serve the community for as long as I can.”
NCVOA is an organization that was created in 1925 that represents Nassau County’s 64 incorporated villages, forming a common bond of cooperation between them all for their mutual benefit and welfare.
