ED LIEBERMAN APPOINTED SEA CLIFF MAYOR AFTER BRUCE KENNEDY STEPS DOWNS TO BECOME VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR

Picture2015 Swearing in of Mayor Kennedy and Deputy Mayor Lieberman
November 29, 2016 -- At an executive session meeting held this past Monday evening, Sea Cliff Mayor Bruce Kennedy tendered his resignation as the top elected official in the Village and was subsequently appointed Village Administrator - a position that had become vacant early this month.  The four village board trustees appointed Deputy Mayor Edward Lieberman to fill out the remainder of Mr. Kennedy's term which will end in early April, 2017. 

Monday's meeting had been called to consider applicants to replace John Mirando, who had left his position as Village Administrator this past November 4 to accept a commissionership in the City of Long Beach.  Mr. Kennedy had assumed Mr. Mirando's duties on an interim unpaid basis since then.  

It was during that meeting, Mr. Kennedy explained in an interview with Northwordnews, that the discussion turned towards the possibility of his considering taking on the Village Administrator's position.

"It is really difficult giving this up"  he said of stepping down as Mayor.  "Yes - it can be tiring and draining and sometimes you think it's a thankless job. But, the expressions of gratitude I've received have really filled my heart.  I think I've affected the village and people's lives in positive way. Giving it up is tough."  

Mr. Kennedy said he that he was uncertain if he would have sought re-election this March.

The former Mayor continued that he is very much looking forward to his new role.  "To be able to continue to serve in this capacity [as Village Administrator] is a great opportunity. I love this village and my hope is that it is an opportunity to continue to do public service."  

He said that as Mayor for the past eight years he had become very familiar with the Village Administrator's responsibilities, but having sat at Mr. Mirando's desk and having actually taken on that role for the past month, he got a much better idea of what the job entails.  

"Unless you sit there, you really don't know how demanding a job it is," he said.  "You see there are a lot of things that are going on that work really well. But of course there's always room for improvement.  There are always some gears that need to be oiled."  

"If you're the right person," he continued, "you can really build the collaboration and synergy that we need."  

In response to questions from Northwordnews, Mayor Lieberman expressed strong support for Mr. Kennedy saying that his "appointment as the Village Administrator will enhance our village's  day to day operations for the  benefit of all our residents." 

​In addition to being director of public works, the position involves supervising village staff as well as serving as assessor.  The job earns in the neighborhood of $150,000 a year - on par with similar positions in other villages.  

Mr. Kennedy is selling his business, National Window Films, which is based in Sea Cliff.

As for the Village Board's decision to appoint Deputy Mayor Lieberman to serve out his term, Mr. Kennedy, who was not a part of the decision, expressed enthusiastic support.

"Ed is totally qualified and wants to lead," he said. "The Board expressed faith in Ed and chose to appoint him." 

​Mr. Lieberman returned the favor.  "I am honored to succeed Mayor Bruce Kennedy as the 35th  Mayor of the Village of Sea Cliff," he said.  "The Village of Sea Cliff has become a jewel of the Gold Coast under his esteemed leadership and achievement.  I look forward to serving the residents  of Sea Cliff  as their new Mayor and  continuing  the work of Mayor Kennedy in our mutual  quest to be the finest jewel of all."  

BACK TO HOME PAGE