Village elections roll around every year. Some years are more spectacular than others. This year there happened to be quite the race for village board positions.

With the election of Camillo Giannattasio, Robert Wilcox, and Joseph Pinto comes a series of changes for Massapequa Park. Three out of the five members of the village board will be new, which is quite a significant figure.

Massapequa Park now has the opportunity to start fresh. Over the years the village has undoubtedly found some things that they did not like about the way the board was run as well as some positive contributions that the board has made. Many residents took this election as an opportunity to make themselves heard by electing a new slate to the village board. It is now up to the board, both new members and old, to take the initiative to respond to what residents have said they want from their village.

Massapequa is a unique community and as such it can achieve many things. Massapequa is more than just the Village of Massapequa Park though. The Massapequas share many of the same facilities as the village, such as the downtown areas and schools. If all these areas were to work together many great things might be accomplished.

One accomplishment that Massapequa will be seeing in the coming months is the revitalization of the downtown area. The business community is an important part of any community and Massapequa is no exception. While it is a positive step for Operation Downtown to come into Massapequa, it needs to be just the beginning of a full-scale revitalization.

The schools will also be seeing changes in the coming months. The Massapequa Board of Education expects to choose a new Superintendent next month which will be a major adjustment for the district. Once again this needs to be looked at as an opportunity for growth and positive changes rather than just a new face doing the same job.

With all these changes we mustn't forget what has come before. Mayor George Nussbaum has helped the Village of Massapequa Park tremendously over the last 14 years. Now Giannattasio and his fellow trustees have the opportunity to build upon Nussbaum's achievements and help the growth of Massapequa Park even more. Massapequa School Superintendent Dr. James Brucia has been with the district for 14 years as well. While his accomplishments in the school district and community will be remembered, the district must now focus on bringing Massapequa students up to the new standards mandated by the state so they can continue to achieve and succeed.

Now is the time for the Massapequas to work together to make sure the changes in all aspects of the community are for the better.

-Susie Trenkle