Michael Mazzariello outside his office on Tuesday.
By Nancy Peckenham
Just two days ago, attorney Michael Mazzariello stood outside his law office on lower Broadway as he watched the Christmas tree being lowered into its holiday home in the median. “In a couple of days, I’m going to have some news that will rock Newburgh,” he promised without giving a hint of what that news would be.
On Wednesday, city councilmember Christine Bello got a call from Mayor Nicholas Valentine who told her that Mazzariello has the backing needed to become the next manager of the city of Newburgh.
“I was informed of this yesterday by the mayor,” Bello said on Thursday. “He said that he already has the support of Mr. Dillard and the deputy mayor Regina Angelo will do whatever he tells her to.”
A special city council work session has been called for Monday, December 6, at 6 pm to discuss the city manager position. All of this comes as a shock to Bello, who said that until she received the mayor’s phone call on Wednesday, she didn’t even know that Herbek wanted to leave.
City councilwoman Christine Bello at the graduation of Newburgh's first Guardian Angels last month.
She was aware that Mazzariello had submitted his resume along with other candidates for the city manager’s position during a job search conducted last year. At the time, current acting city manager Richard Herbek told the council he wanted to stay in the position and the search was called off.
Bello said that Mazzariello, an attorney, radio host and creator of the TV series “Street Court” is a “very dear friend,” but added that “friends are friends and business is business… and he doesn’t necessarily qualify for the position.” For her, the selection process should be left to the full city council who should not be presented with what looks like a done deal.
As for Herbek, he said in a statement that the matter will be discussed, and it’s up to the council to decide how they want to proceed.
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