Five days after Mayor George Pappas resigned after leading Atlantic Beach for 11 years, a new era officially began in the village as freshly elected Trustees Joseph Pierantoni and Laura Heller were sworn in on July 7.
The two joined Barry Frohlinger, the only remaining member of the board, after two other resignations: Deputy Mayor Charlie Hammerman, who stepped down on July 2 — the same day as Pappas — and Anthony Livreri, who resigned on May 28.
Their first act as a new board was to name Pierantoni the village’s deputy mayor until the board unanimously decides on a new mayor.
Frohlinger said the three trustees were in sync on this decision and that he believed it was “a no brainer.”
“We felt that we needed deputy mayor to have that place holder until the mayor was selected,” Frohlinger said. “We looked at the three of us, and I sort of said, Joey got the most votes ever in the history of the village to be a trustee, so that, to me, had a lot of merit for why he should be the deputy mayor on an interim basis.”
Frohlinger added that the board could continue operating without a mayor, since any recommendation requires three votes to pass. However, in the mayor’s absence, all three active trustees must vote unanimously for any action to be approved.
Heller shared this sentiment when she made the motion to nominate Pierantoni during the meeting.
“Given the circumstances, Barry, Joey and I are tasked with selecting an interim deputy mayor from among us who will act as deputy mayor until such time as we appoint a new mayor,” Heller said. “All actions we take must be made unanimously. In the short time we’ve worked together, we have approached every decision with care and thoughtfulness grounded in mutual respect for each other, for the residents, employees and officers of this village and for the village of Atlantic Beach as a whole. It is with that spirit of collaboration and commitment that we begin our new term.”
This was the first board meeting since the resignations of Pappas and Hammerman earlier this month. The resignations came after the $950,000 settlement between the village and the Chabad of the Beaches was approved on July 1.
Pappas had appointed Hammerman to replace Livreri.
Pierantoni read a statement on behalf of the new board regarding their search for a new mayor and trustee.
“This is a unique opportunity to begin a new era in Atlantic Beach,” Pierantoni said. “During these transitionary times, the residents of Atlantic Beach deserve strong, steady leadership. Rest assured, this transition will be handled with professionalism, transparency and a shared focus on the well-being of our community.”
The next Atlantic Beach board meeting is at Village Hall, 65 The Plaza, at 7:30 p.m., on Aug. 4.
Have opinion on the situation in Atlantic Beach? Send letter to mberman@liherald.com.
