June 2013

NCVOA JUNE 2013 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

“ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS”

Thursday, June 27, 2013-7PM

(note date change)

La Marmite Restaurant

Williston Park, NY

Guest Speaker

and Installation Officer

Hon. Maureen O’Connell

Nassau County Clerk


 From the President’s Desk:

Dear Mayors, Trustees and Friends:

 

Nominating Committee Recommendations for 2013-2014:

At the June 27 General Membership meeting, I will conclude my extended term as NCVOA president as you will elect new officers for 2013-2014. It has been my distinct pleasure to serve as president of this outstanding organization for two years. During that time, I have had the good fortune to have met many newly elected village officials. I also have strengthened my relationships with some of our more tenured colleagues.

To say we have endured many challenges together would be an understatement. The consolidation and dissolution battle, lever voting machine restrictions, tax cap, skyrocketing pension costs, Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy are just a few that come to mind. Through it all, I have garnered a greater appreciation for the resolve of our mayors and trustees. Your commitment to your communities is without equal at any level of government. You are true public servants, and I have been proud to stand with you as we continue to do what is best for our residents and communities. I sincerely thank you for the privilege of serving as your president. I look forward to continuing to work with all the dedicated NCVOA officers and members in the years ahead.

There have been so many individuals who have played vital roles during my tenure. While it is not possible to thank each one individually, I would be remiss if I did not recognize a few:

  • The officers and members of the Executive Committee – They have devoted countless hours of time and energy to help create policies and strategies to guide our organization through these challenging times. I am confident they will continue to guide us in our efforts to advocate on behalf of our residents.      
  • Warren Tackenberg, NCVOA Executive Director – Words cannot adequately express my appreciation and respect for Warren’s diligence, work ethic, and dogmatic approach to his role. He sets the model for the rest of us to follow, and I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him closely.
  • Senator Jack Martins and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel – My state legislators and two true public servants who understand the value of village government and are not afraid to take on their respective leaderships to fight for issues that are important to the villages they represent. 
  •  John Kiernan, our Albany lobbyist – John’s assistance in monitoring proposed legislation that could impact villages and his advocacy on our behalf has been invaluable.
  • Peter Baynes and the NYCOM staff – Peter and his staff have consistently provided solid support to our efforts to make village issues legislative priorities.
  • Gary Fishberg, NCVOA counsel – Gary’s knowledge of village government and laws has been extremely helpful to me and our entire organization.
  • Eric Ricioppo, NCVOA public relations – Writing 20 newsletters, numerous press releases and contacts would have been impossible without his help. 

Last, but certainly not least, my wife Wendy. A successful professional in her own right, she always has encouraged and supported my positions as mayor, member of the NYCOM executive committee and president of our 88 year old organization and has allowed me to take time away from her and our family to spend in my village and with the NCVOA and NYCOM.

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Albert Schweitzer said it best when he wrote, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

Sincerely,

Ralph J. Kreitzman


 

The Committee makes the following recommendations for the following members for election   for the NCVOA 2013-2014 year.

For President                           Mayor David Tanner of East Williston

For 1st VP                                Mayor Barbara Donno of Plandome Manor

For 2nd VP                               Mayor Peter Cavallaro of Westbury

For Treasurer:                           Mayor Bernard Ryba of Old Brookville

Mayor Kreitzman and the Executive Board would like to thank the following Nominating Committee members for serving on this year’s committee. Those members are:

            Mayor James Altadonna                      Village of Massapequa Park

            Mayor Stephen Mahler                        Village of Atlantic Beach

            Mayor Francis Murray                          Village of Rockville Centre

            Mayor Ralph Ekstrand                          Village of Farmingdale        

 

            Trustee Dennis Sgambati                     Village of North Hills          

 

 


  Save the Date:

Thursday, September 12, 2013

NCVOA 88th Annual Dinner/Testimonial

Honoring

Mayor Ralph Kreitzman

Crest Hollow Country Club


 Save Another Date:

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

  Meet the Candidates Night

          Meeting Place to be Announced



Natural Gas Bid: 

The village of Mineola has advertised for an RFP for Natural Gas. 

They have included in their bid a clause that any villages in the Nassau County Village Officials Association buying consortium will also be allowed to purchase off this bid. 

Bids are returnable on June 21, 2013 and we will notify the villages when a bid is awarded. 

The NCVOA would like to thank the Mayor and Board of Trustees for their assistance in this matter.  


                                    May 2013 Meeting Attendees

 

 Prior to his remarks John Gray (l), FEMA Task Force Leader for Nassau County, posed for a photo with NCVOA officers:  Ralph Kreitzman, mayor, Village of Great Neck and NCVOA president; David Tanner, mayor, Village of East Williston and NCVOA 1st vice president; and Barbara Donno, mayor, Village of Plandome Manor and NCVOA 2nd vice president.

Guest Speaker John Gray, FEMA Task Force Leader for Nassau County, updated the members on the status of FEMA reimbursements to Nassau County villages.

 

   
 Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender and Trustee Pam Marksheid. Bernie Ryba, mayor, Village of Old Brookville and Jerry Schneiderman, trustee, Village of Great Neck Plaza.

   
 Discussing the status of FEMA support prior to the meeting were Robert Kennedy, mayor, Village of Freeport; Ralph Kreitzman, mayor, Village of Great Neck and NCVOA president; Ed Oppenheimer, trustee, Village of Rockville Centre; and John Gray, FEMA Task Force Leader for Nassau County.

  Enjoying each other’s company during the cocktail reception is Marla Wolfson, deputy clerk, Village of Muttontown; Julianne Beckerman, mayor, Village of Muttontown; and Gail Cohen, trustee, Village of North Hills.

   
  Jeff Bass, trustee, Village of Great Neck catches up with Barbara Donno, mayor, Village of Plandome Manor and NCVOA 2nd vice president.

 Gail Cohen, trustee, Village of North Hills talks with Doug Watson, mayor, Village of Bayville.

   
  Ed Oppenheimer, trustee, Village of Rockville Centre discusses the status of FEMA reimbursements to this village with John Gray, FEMA Task Force Leader for Nassau County  Dennis Sgambati, deputy mayor, Village of North Hills with Bert Patterson, Town of Hempstead.

   
 One of the NCVOA’s assets is the continued participation and support provided by its past presidents. Shown here during the cocktail reception is (l to r): Ernie Strada, former mayor, Village of Westbury; Marvin Natiss, mayor, Village of North Hills; Jim Altadonna, mayor, Village of Massapequa Park; and Steve Mahler, mayor, Village of Atlantic Beach.

 Warren Tackenberg, NCVOA executive director (r), talks with Gerry Tangredi, mayor, Village of Stewart Manor, and trustee Carole Schafenberg.

   The Last Word:

That government is best which governs least.

Henry David Thoreau