By KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
Though not constricted by time, the City Council is required to fill the vacant seat, according to the city charter, and council members are opening the door to anyone who has an interest.
The council is looking for someone who has a deep interest in the community, City Council President Joel Crystal said. They would be from all walks of life. Simply put, he said, the council members are searching for a person who is really dedicated to making Long Beach a better place.
The council will appoint someone who they feel has merit and who will be a good representative of the community, Crystal said.
Kearney had won a two-year term in November 2001, meaning that whoever replaces him on what is now an all-Democratic council will almost immediately start campaigning for the seat.
Replacing a council member is not unusual, and this is not the first time the council has had to do so. In May 1998, Councilman Tom Kelly died suddenly and was replaced by local businesswoman Barbara Mosca. When then council President Michael Zapson won a special election for Nassau County Legislator in May 1999 to replace Bruce Nyman, he was replaced in City Hall by Scott Nigro, now the council's vice president.
As for the current vacancy, officials said the council isn't rushing into a decision. Councilman Leonard Remo said the city hopes to have the seat filled by May.
Prospective candidates, Nigro said, may contact any council member. Nigro said he encourages anyone who wants to put their name in the ring to come and let us know.
Kearney announced his resignation on March 18, citing health and personal reasons. The West Ender narrowly defeated Republican James Hennessy in 2001 for the seat, but has been a popular figure among Democrats and Republicans alike.
Though Kearney would not disclose the specific reasons for his resignation and has refused interview requests for the time being, sources previously told the Herald that he was expected to also resign from his full-time job as secretary-treasurer of Local 79 Mason Tenders Union in Manhattan. The union was reported to be under investigation for questionable business practices. A New York Post article on Sunday, March 31, confirmed that Kearney had left the union post.
A Long Beach city official, however, maintained that Kearney's resignation was due only to the reasons Kearney cited.
