Geary replaced as deputy mayor
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Lowther

Williamsville Mayor Mary Lowther has appointed Trustee Richard Sweeney as the new deputy mayor, replacing Trustee Brian Geary who last week announced his intention to run for mayor.

The appointment came at the board's meeting on Monday night.

"I was approached by her before the work session and was told that there would be consequences to my running against her (for mayor)," Geary said. "Next thing I knew, the appointment was being made at the meeting."

Geary will run for mayor with the Harmony Party endorsement. When he was appointed deputy mayor, he was a member of the Village Vision Party, of which Lowther is also a member.

According to Lowther, Geary's decision to change parties was one of the contributing factors to her appointment of Sweeney.

"The deputy mayor has essentially the same duties in the absence of the mayor," said Lowther. "I haven't missed a meeting in four years, but for the interim, I thought it would be best to have someone who supports my party and supports me."

Lowther also noted that the position might change again, but probably not until after the election, which will be held Tuesday, June 19.

Gear y

As mayor, Lowther does not need a board vote or a public hearing to make appointments to the board, though Geary noted appointments usually are done during the board's reorganizational period instead of at random throughout the year.

"The mayor makes appointments at his or her sole discretion," Lowther said.

While the appointment of Sweeney has not changed Geary's mind against running for mayor, he noted his disappointment at the situation.

"I'm very shocked and disappointed because I've been involved in so many major projects in the village," he said. "I'm surprised that she would make it that personal."

Geary also said that the precedent set by Lowther's decision could be harmful to village government.

"We've always been proud that the village government kept above situations like these," he said. "Hopefully it doesn't get any worse."

Lowther was also unhappy with the situation - for other reasons.

"I was disappointed that I had to read about it in the paper," Lowther said of Geary's party switch and bid for the mayoral seat. "But he made his decision and I made mine."

In other board news, all Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements applied for by Williamsville for work related to the Oct. 11-12 snowstorm have been received.

More than $430,000 will go directly to the village to replace the funds used to pay hired contractors who were paid in January for their work, according to Deputy Treasurer Lynda Juul.

"We're a smaller area so maybe that made it easier to complete the paperwork," Juul said of the quick FEMA return.

Pickup continues in the village's parks; however any formal clean-up has been accomplished.

The village will continue to pick up yard debris that residents place at the curb.

The next meeting of the Village Board will be Monday, April 23 at Village Hall, 5565 Main Street.

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com