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Mostly Cloudy Mark Sobel: Finding a million ways to serve the community
He's a ‘worker bee’ with a buzz for helping others
Mark Sobel, of Sea Cliff, is, by all accounts, a paragon of community engagement and transformative leadership, which includes union activism, arts advocacy, and a longstanding commitment to environmental causes. In honor of his dedication to the village, the Herald is proud to name him its 2023 Person of the Year.
Sobel was born and raised in Queens, and his union activism began in the mid-1970s, when he was a letter carrier. The son of a union man and with an uncle affiliated with the Electrical Workers Union, Sobel quickly ascended to the role of shop steward, elected by workers to represent them in dealings with management.
His leadership style was distinct, emphasizing democratic principles and respect for is fellow union members. He was president of the union for 15 years, tirelessly championing his colleagues’ rights.
“I tried to change things, and I brought more of a democratic approach,” Sobel recalled. “It was really enjoyable to represent people, especially people who didn’t have a voice.”
The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks marked a pivotal moment for Sobel. As a witness to the impact on first responders, he increasingly focused on environmental activism. When he moved to Sea Cliff in 2015, he began volunteering for the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, and became a vocal advocate for environmentally sustainable practices.
Lisa Cashman, the coalition’s executive director, said that Sobel is one of the most active, high-energy people she knows, and as a member of the coalition’s executive board, she added, he gives his all for the group and the community. Sobel isn’t just a pleasure to work with, Cashman said; he’s a pleasure to be around, and always brings a smile to people’s faces.
“It’s hard to overstate how wonderful Mark is,” she said. “He is just a joy, and a worker bee. He’ll roll up his sleeves and do whatever’s necessary for the success of anything.”
Transitioning from his union career after he moved to Sea Cliff, Sobel redirected his energies toward arts advocacy. He worked for several years for the Creative Coalition, an arts advocacy group, orchestrating the alignment of celebrities with charitable causes, elevating the impact of nonprofits through star power.
He joined the village’s Arts Council as its producer at large, and, thanks to his work and that of the group’s other members, it has helped foster a local artistic renaissance.
Kat DiResta, who chairs the council, said that in her time working with Sobel, he has always been extraordinarily supportive and energetic, and brought a sense of community outreach that has helped the organization continue to grow — all while wearing his trademark smile.
“He’s really into people working together, and the community aspect of the arts and Sea Cliff,” DiResta said. “He’s all heart, and so enthusiastic about everything that we’ve been doing, and creating an opportunity for artists, writers, poets and musicians to have a platform and a space.”
Beyond union activism and arts advocacy, Sobel is also a community leader. As an integral member of the village’s traffic and safety committee, he has spearheaded initiatives to make local roadways safer, addressing concerns about speeding along scenic routes. His involvement bore fruit when Nassau County allocated funds to rectify the problem by letting the village adopt a Safe Streets Program, which will work to find ways to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Even in “the village of volunteers,” Sobel stands out as an inspiring figure, according to those who know him, illustrating how one person’s engaged leadership can profoundly shape and uplift an entire community.
Despite initial reservations, Sobel ventured into local politics by running for, and winning a seat on, the village board in March. He was motivated by curiosity about the community’s workings, he said. Now, as a trustee, he embraces the responsibility of contributing to the village’s governance, and looks to increase the lines of dialogue between residents and elected officials, while continuing to promote the arts and environmental issues.
Sobel said that while he had been encouraged to run for office for years, he had thought he could do better for the community as a volunteer than in local politics. Eventually, however, he agreed to run for the board, and was unopposed in November. He ultimately decided to run, he said, because he believed it was, and is, important for individuals to do their part to serve their community.
“It’s always been in my mind that if you’re going to care about the community you live in, then you have to be active in it,” Sobel said. “I love being involved, and if you can help just one person, whether it’s over a year or a lifetime, then that’s one more person that’s benefited by it.”
Mark and his wife, Steph, have been married for 37 years, and raised two accomplished children.
Their son, Jonathan, a labor lawyer in Cleveland, continues the family legacy by advocating for workers’ rights, and their daughter, Leah, a psychologist in Boston, champions mental health causes.
Steph said that part of what has made their marriage so strong is her husband’s remarkable heart and willingness to make time for others. She added that for as long as she has known him, he’s been active in his community, whether in Queens or on Long Island.
“He’s always been such a giving and caring person,” Steph said. “I think he’s all about working with teams, and having so many people who are doing good stuff in the community. It’s just been a real natural fit for him, because he likes to help others.”
In an era when community engagement often takes a backseat, Sobel stands as a reminder that individual efforts, woven into the fabric of a community, can create lasting ripples of positive change. He is a testament to the enduring power of passionate and engaged citizenship.
