On Monday, April 5, the Sea Cliff Board of Trustees convened their annual organizational meeting and, after conducting routine village business, the board bid farewell to Mayor Ted Blackburn. Prior to handing over the gavel to Mayor-elect Claudia Moyne, Mayor Blackburn offered his thoughts regarding his tenure as mayor of Sea Cliff.

Mayor Blackburn introduced the members of the Sea Cliff Junior Fire Department, an organization two years young which is under the auspices of Sea Cliff's volunteer fire chiefs. This new generation of volunteer firefighters will be trained by their senior counterparts, especially in the concept of volunteer community service. The mayor noted the presence of State Assemblyman David Sidikman and then offered an emotional farewell message of gratitude to his staff, the trustees who have served with him over the years, and the countless volunteers who give so unselfishly of their time and effort to ensure that Sea Cliff continues to shine. Mayor Blackburn made a special note that the combined efforts of the village personnel and volunteers have provided the residents of Sea Cliff with the best possible services, above and beyond the call of duty, at the lowest possible cost. "We want to make sure we maintain a safe harbor and environment for Sea Cliff. You're in excellent hands for the future. Mayor Claudia Moyne and the trustees are hardworking and know where they want to go; they want to discuss, think and create for Sea Cliff. They will serve you well," said Mayor Blackburn.

The burden of leadership was then passed to Claudia Moyne who was elected mayor in March, after Sea Cliff's first contested election in recent memory. Mayor Moyne thanked Mr. Blackburn for his eight years as mayor and made special mention of his initiative, determination and vision regarding Hempstead Harbor and the environment. Mayor Moyne presented Mr. Blackburn with Henry Kissinger's book, Years of Renewal, to read during what will now be his spare time. Trustee Ted Kopczynski added the village's thanks to Mr. Blackburn's wife, Sarah, and sons, Ted and Ben, for putting up with the former mayor's endless hours of village work even at home.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Mayor Moyne presided over her first village board meeting and offered a long list of appointments to the numerous departments, agencies and volunteer organizations within Sea Cliff. Delivering on two campaign promises, Mayor Moyne announced the appointment of a task force to review and make recommendations regarding the village's building department and construction procedures and the formation of the Sea Cliff Council of the Arts to refocus attention on all the arts. Appointed to the Mayor's task force were Vito Capuco; Henry Hollman; Lucinda Hurley; Ernest Franck; John Ciampi and Robert Stratford. Mayor Moyne said the task force is a direct result of concerns she heard from Sea Cliff residents during the campaign. The Sea Cliff Council of the Arts members are: Madeline Kle; Karin Barnaby; Stephanie Reynolds; Wendy Csoka; Frank Csoka; Irina Uralsky; Frank Braynard; Dimitry Schidlovsky; Donald Mistretta; Jerry Simpson and Jeanine Briefel. Mayor Moyne expressed her hope that, under the coordination of the council, there will be a new impetus to foster the arts in Sea Cliff.