Kennedy, left, and Mejia, during a May council meeting
NEWBURGH – Mayor Judy Kennedy will be undergoing surgery next week and expects to be recuperating for a month so the Newburgh City Council Thursday evening established a protocol for its members to serve as president pro-tem in her absence.
Kennedy had initially recommended that Councilwoman Karen Mejia serve
in the interim capacity, but she suggested instead that in this instance
and all future cases where the mayor is unavailable for a period of time,
that each council member hold the position for one month.
“The first councilperson goes and facilitates that meeting and the next councilperson whenever the mayor is absent,” Mejia said. “We just have this ongoing list and it keeps on rotating and rotating.”
Councilwoman Regina Angelo, being the deputy mayor, will serve as president pro-tem in August and if a longer period of time is required, in alphabetic order each member would hold the position for month.
Kennedy expects to be available for limited meetings during the next couple of months.
“I ask for prayers for full healing from the community and thank everyone for your support and understanding while I am going through the healing process,” the mayor said.
