66.0°,
Overcast and Breezy Carrying on with East Rockaway village business
Board holds regular meeting after death of Mayor Sieban
The village of East Rockaway’s regular board meeting for July was anything but regular or ordinary as a lone, empty mayor’s chair sat in the center of the dais, a grim reminder to all those attending of the recent passing of its leader, Mayor Ed Sieban. The board members each took a turn reading their reports, yet the high-backed blue chair was the focal point of the evening.
Struggling to move on with the governmental business of running the village, the docket included reports of Deputy Mayor Richard Meagher and board members Bruno Romano, Irene Villacci and Francis Lenahan, followed by reports from the department heads and village committees, proclamations, communications, public hearings and resolutions.
Meagher said that, upon consultation with Village Attorney Anthony Guardino, no immediate action need be taken upon the death of the mayor, and that the deputy mayor is legally able to carry out all of the functions of mayor. Having said that, Meagher said that the board will meet to consider other options, which can include the board appointing one of their own as mayor, and then appointing a deputy mayor.
Before reporting on their monthly schedules, Meagher and each of the trustees read a personal statement about Sieban.
“I am reminded of the vision, energy and dedication of our Mayor Ed,” said Meagher. “I am forever changed because of this man.” Villacci, visibly emotional as she read her statement, said of Sieban. “[The Siebans] welcomed me into their home as part of their family ... his door was also open ... “
“Our village government must now continue the great work of our mayor, “ said Bruno Romano. “We have big shoes to fill ... we must reunite and all work together to continue on ....”
Lenahan said that when he heard the news of Sieban’s death, it felt like “my chest had been crushed by a cinderblock. “Ed was a visionary,” he said. “We didn’t always agree on everything ... I believe he is here in spirit.”
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