After 15 years of service with the Village of Massapequa Park, Bill Van Wagner is retiring from his village trusteeship. His last meeting as trustee is this Monday, March 27.

While he is leaving his role as public official, Van Wagner is not saying good-bye to community service. The current vice president of the Massapequa Kiwanis Club is expected to be nominated as president of the organization for next year. He is also trustee of the Massapequa Historical Society. In addition, the 29-year resident of Massapequa Park will remain active with his bakery machinery company, which he has owned since 1970.

"It's time for me to move on," Van Wagner said in a recent interview. "It's nice to assume the role of elder statesman, and if the village needs me, I'll be glad to come in and help in any way I can."

Van Wagner has served as trustee since 1996, when Mayor George Nussbaum appointed him to fill the term vacated by the death of James Doran. He was then elected to a two-year term 1998. Originally a member of the Village Integrity Party, Van Wagner switched party lines in 1999 when he became a charter member of the Front Street Party to support the election of Camillo Giannattasio as mayor.

As the only member of the current board to have served with the previous administration, he often offered insight from experience on ongoing projects, such as the Whitewood Landing Senior Housing development. He also served on the Nassau County Village Official Association's Legislative and Cablevision committees, and often traveled to Albany to lobby for the municipality's share of grant funding and the Nassau County sales tax revenue. He was also instrumental in bringing a new taxi franchise to the village, and in the negotiation of a new union contract with the village's employees three years ago. In addition, Van Wagner negotiated for the municipality to receive an $11,000 fee from Bell Atlantic when the company recently installed a fiber optic box within the village, a device aimed at improving telephone service. A preliminary agreement had included a payment to the village of only $1. He also took a leadership role in bringing the renovation of Village Hall, which had been funded, but tabled, under the previous administration, back to the drawing board under the new village board. The finishing touches are currently being put on the facelift, which includes new heating, ventilation, computer and telephone systems.

Van Wagner's spot is expected to be filled by Gail Klubnick, owner of a local flower shop who has served on the planning commission. She is running unopposed for election to the position. Also running unopposed, for re-election, is Trustee John O'Brien, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Scott Wiss in November, 1999. O'Brien is a resident of the village for over 45 years and former zoning board member.

Van Wagner noted that he has much faith in the current administration, which is composed entirely of Front Street Party members. "I feel that the Front Street Party is doing a great job with the village. And it's time for me to step down and pass the torch," he said. He added, "I support the village, and I think we have a great mayor, and I'm always available to him as the elder statesman."