A meeting of the mayors

We are at the forefront of renewing a long-term relationship that the two communities have always had.”

Mayor Edward Lieberman, Sea Cliff

On Monday, Sea Cliff Mayor Edward Lieberman met with Glen Cove Mayor Tim Tenke for their first official mayors’ meeting to discuss the two communities’ shared issues and interests, and how to address them.

“It was essential to reach out in this format and initiate communication,” Lieberman said, “not only for those immediate concerns, but more importantly, for the benefit of our constituents.”

The two have met informally in the past, even before they became mayors. “I’ve known Ed for many years,” Tenke said. “We have a good relationship, and we plan to work together as neighbors to resolve the issues that embody both of our communities.”

The working relationship between the two mayors became sidetracked over the Garvies Point Project, a mixed-use development that was approved by former Glen Cove Mayor Reggie Spinello’s administration last year. The village board had expressed opposition to the development. Since Tenke’s inauguration, however, Lieberman said, the relationship has “undoubtedly” improved.

“We are at the forefront of renewing a long-term relationship that the two communities have always had,” he said.

Tenke added, “Having a continued open line of communication between the city and the village has been the tradition, and we’re trying to bring that back in the spirit of cooperation to benefit all the residents.”

The mayors discussed a variety of issues that involve both Sea Cliff and Glen Cove, including environmental preservation, waterfront development and sewage contamination at Glen Cove’s Crescent Beach.

Lieberman asked that the village be kept up to date on future development decisions by the city that would affect Sea Cliff’s adjoining neighborhoods. “I asked for an open a line of dialogue with regard to future development plans so that our residents can be advised and given the opportunity to consider what’s being done,” Lieberman said. “Second, we will address specific issues as they pertain to Garvies Point and the environmental concerns it presents.”

On the subject of Crescent Beach, Tenke said that the city and the village could work together to assure that residents produce no further pollution that would continue to contaminate the area. “We share an adjoining shoreline and the same body of water,” Tenke said, “and we will do whatever we can to make sure this contamination is dealt with in a rapid fashion and provide clean water for our communities.”

The ultimate goal of renewing relations between the two municipalities, he said, was to “make life more enjoyable for the residents.”