John Spellman will step aside and serve as deputy village attorney for the Village of Mineola, Mineola officials announced last week. John Gibbons, a village prosecutor for Mineola, assumed Spellman’s post last week.
“Someone said to me ‘hey John you’re from Garden City,’” Spellman, a former Mineola resident, said. “I said ‘No, I’m from Ozone Park. I live in Garden City, but my heart’s in Mineola.’”
Spellman has been Mineola’s attorney since 1985 and previously served the position in Roslyn (1995-2009) and New Hyde Park (2001-2013).
“Thirty years is a long time,” Spellman said. “It’s good to have people coming up with fresh ideas and fresh energy.”
His tenure in Mineola spans six mayors and 20 trustees.
“I’m sorry to see him go, but he won’t be going far,” Strauss said. “He’ll still be here as a resource. [Gibbons] has been with the village for several years. Great to see him on board.”
Spellman’s new role authorizes him to appear in meetings and village litigations. He chose Gibbons based on his experience in municipal law.
“He’s been the deputy here for countless years,” Spellman said. “He’s knows Mineola inside out. It’s a natural fit.”
Gibbons is a partner at Spellman’s firm, Spellman Rice Schure Gibbons McDonough Polizzi and Truncale LLP. He’s been heavily involved in the village affairs. Gibbons has served as village attorney in Roslyn since 2009 and counsel to both the Mineola and Roslyn zoning boards for 16 and 20 years, respectively.
“I’ve been working in Mineola for 23 years,” Gibbons said. “I’ve covered meetings of the board of trustees. I think it will be seamless.”
He concentrates in municipal law, zoning and land use litigation, civil litigation, land use planning and appellate practice.
“It’s an honor to succeed John,” Gibbons said. “I’ve known John since I was about 14 years old. I learned from the best. I’m happy John is going to remain in the office right next to me so I can seek his counsel whenever I need it.”
