Flower Hill deputy mayor to take reins

Stephen Romano

Robert McNamara, deputy mayor of Flower Hill, will assume the roll of mayor when state Senator-elect Elaine Phillips resigns after her election victory is certified.

The board of trustees on Monday passed a resolution clarifying the village’s succession plan.

Phillips, a Republican who was re-elected to a third two-year term as village mayor in March, defeated Democrat Adam Haber in the race for the 7th District Senate seat vacated by Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury).

Phillips said she is waiting for her election victory to become certified to resign as mayor. 

The Board of Elections is currently counting the absentee ballots.

“It would be my honor to assist Bob in his new role when the transition is ready,” Phillips said. “It will be a very smooth transition.”

The trustees didn’t hesitate to put their support behind McNamara, unanimously approving the resolution.

“The mayor and I will work on a transition for the village,” McNamara said. “It will be a smooth transition for sure.”

“It’s a simple decision,” Trustee Brian Herrington said. “We have a very qualified deputy mayor and it just seems like the perfect choice. It’ll be a natural transition.”

Although Phillips’ term ends in 2018, McNamara will serve until April 2017. A special election will then be held for the mayor’s position during the village’s regular elections.

The mayor elected in April will serve until 2018.

“It has been a great honor and a privilege to serve as mayor of Flower Hill,” she said in a statement on Friday. “Working together without partisanship, and always in the best interests of village residents and taxpayers, we cut taxes, improved services, increased transparency and trust in local government, and created innovative solutions to protect our environment and improve the quality of life of our community.”

By Stephen Romano

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