Meagher to run for mayor of East Rockaway

Deputy Mayor Richard Meagher has proposed the creation of a new village party, the Freedom Party of East Rockaway, because, he says, “Sometimes you have to go back to the past to find what’s needed for the future.

“I believe we need more choices in 2011,” Meagher said. “Having dedicated many years to this village as a trustee and deputy mayor, I offer my services and put forward my name as a candidate to be the next elected mayor of our great village in the March 2011 election, under the banner of this proposed new village party, the Freedom Party of East Rockaway."

Meagher, the acting mayor of the village since the death of Ed Sieban in July, was the first president of the now defunct Unity Party from 1996 to 1998, receiving a Founding President award from that organization in May 1998.

“We need more choices once again,” he said, “and those choices should reflect all sections of the village.”

Meagher said he envisions a party that would serve all residents. “I believe the village needs to be represented by a diverse and independent group of men and women who will consistently put the interests of the great village ahead of any individual, special interest or political machine,” he said.

According to Meagher, the Freedom Party would recruit members, create bylaws, select officers and an executive board, raise funds, and field a slate of candidates for the March 2011 village election, when the mayor’s position and two trustee seats will be up for election. (Candidates for trustee run at large in East Rockaway, meaning that the two who win the most votes will take those seats.)

Trustee Irene Villacci said that she “wholeheartedly” supports the creation of a new party and looks forward to becoming a member. “This new party seeks to give our residents a voice in village government and a choice as to who should be the elected servants of the people,” Villacci said. “These are two ideals I have always shared with my friend Richard Meagher and our dear colleague, Mayor Ed Sieban. I know Ed would have joined with me to support this new party, and to make certain that Richard Meagher carried out these goals by succeeding Ed as the next mayor of our beloved village.”