City manager Richard Herbek looks pleased with his appointment as city manager after two years 'acting' in that position.
By Charlie B. Scirbona
As of Monday evening, Richard Herbek could drop the “acting” from his title of Newburgh city manager.
The Newburgh City Council voted unanimously to keep Herbek as city manager. Herbek has been acting city manager since August 31, 2009.
Before the vote, several city residents spoke up in support of Herbek. One resident, Barbara Smith, said that Herbek deserved the job because had endured the anger of the city’s people and worked through it all.
However, another resident, Brian Flannery, said that while he felt the Herbek was good in crisis but the city should be looking for someone else, who would be more of an “urban visionary.”
City manager Herbek faced protestors at City Hall last May.
The new city charter gives the council more control over the manager’s position. It can appoint a manager for an indefinite period to serve at the will of the council, approve a definite term of no more than two years or approve a contract with the city manager for a period of no more than two years. The council chose to appoint Herbek for a one-year term.
Two city council members, Gay Lee and Regina Angelo, both said they would vote to appoint Herbek.
“If someone had asked me while I was running (for office) if I would fire Mr. Herbek I would have said ‘yes,’ even up until when we met with comptroller,” said Lee, who was elected to the council in November. “I see now that the problems didn’t start with Mr. Herbek.” Lee went on to apologize to Herbek for thinking the financial problems of the city were in some way his fault. She added that the comptroller wanted the council to work to stabilize the city financially.
Mayor Judy Kennedy said that no matter who was hired as city manager, the council still had an important part to play once the decision was made.
“No matter who we hire, one of the council’s most important jobs is to manage the manager, provide a plan for the manager to execute,” she said.
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