(Photo by Christopher Gavin)
John Macedo has resigned from his post as the Village of Mineola Board of Zoning Appeals chairman, Mineola officials announced recently. He said he needs to tend to family affairs.
“I’ve been in public service pretty much for my adult life,” Macedo said. “If I took care of [my family duties] as chairman, I’d be depriving the public of my services and so I said ‘let’s stop. It’s not fair to Mineola.’”
Macedo has served on the zoning board for more than 20 years, with the bulk of those two decades as chairman. He also worked as the Town of North Hempstead’s code enforcement director since 1980. He worked previously in the town’s planning and building departments.
“Thankfully Mr. Macedo is not moving, just stepping down from the board,” Mayor Scott Strauss said. “A highly respected resident, he’s helped a lot in Mineola. It’s sad to see him leave.”
The Mineola Village Board announced that zoning board member Richard Kotowski will serve as temporary chairman during the search for a permanent replacement.
“I’ve known Mr. Kotowski a long time,” trustee Paul Cusato said. “He’s been on that board a long time. It’s an excellent choice.”
Macedo called Kotowski a “very good choice.”
“Rich is a good man,” Macedo said. “He’s a professional. He knows the rights of people that come to appeal before the zoning board.”
Macedo presided over numerous zoning cases over the years, including the much-debated replacement of the “Welcome To Mineola” sign atop the Station Plaza Diner in July.
“He was truly an integral part in our operations and will certainly be missed,” Strauss said.
Village officials noted of Macedo’s capacity outside of the zoning board meetings.
“Mr. Macedo, who I am privileged to call a friend and in many ways, for a very long time, a mentor, has behind the scenes done very great things for this village,” Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira said. “His wisdom, his patience, his calming influence, his insight will be missed and we know he deserves to certainly enjoy and take some time off and be with his wife and his family.”
