Mayor, commissioners take on new assignments

Written by Suzanne Marino Wednesday, May 18, 2011 02:43 pm

Brenda Taube is commissioner of public works, Mayor Michael Becker is commissioner of public safety, and Maury Blumberg is commissioner of revenue and finance.
By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer

MARGATE – The contentious election is over, and the new commissioners were put into place at a swearing- in ceremony at high noon Tuesday, May 17.

Michael Becker will return to his position as mayor for another four years. The top vote getter in the May 10 election, Becker was nominated and confirmed as mayor. He will, however, switch his commission assignment.

In the previous administration, Becker was the commissioner of revenue and finance. For the next four years he will head the departments of public affairs and public safety.

By statute the position gives Becker all executive, administrative, judicial and legislative power, authority and duties pertaining to aid to hospitals, beach inspectors, the board of health, electrical inspector, emergency management, construction code officials, animal regulation, Fire Department, housing inspection, legal services and costs, lifeguards, municipal court, vital statistics, and the Planning Board, Police Department and Zoning Board of Adjustments.

Maury Blumberg, who for the past four years was commissioner of public safety, will switch to revenue and finance, giving him all executive, administrative, judicial and legislative power, authority and duties pertaining to the contingency fund, elections, financial administration (city auditor), foreclosure, group insurance and hospitalization, insurance and employees’ bonds, library maintenance, the municipal clerk’s office, tax assessor and tax collector offices and the tax searcher.

Brenda Taube, the first female city commissioner in Margate’s 103-year history, will serve as the commissioner of public works through 2015. She takes over all executive, administrative, judicial and legislative power, authority and duties pertaining to city engineer, gasoline and oil, lot clearing, playground and parks, property and improvement, recycling, rubbish removal contract, street lighting, street repairs and maintenance, and water and sewer utilities.

Rabbi Aaron Gaber gave the invocation to begin the swearing-in ceremony, calling on scripture to remind everyone that it is the time to work together for the good of all.

Becker echoed that sentiment and said it is time to get back to work for the people of Margate.

Taube said she is excited about the opportunity to make Margate a better place.

Blumberg took the opportunity to thank all of his supporters and promised continued hard work on behalf of residents.

The first meeting of the new commission is set for today, Thursday, May 19, with a work session at 4 p.m. and regular session 5 p.m.

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Mayor Michael Becker, with his wife, Mary, at his side, is sworn in by Freeholder at Large Frank Formica.   Margate City Solicitor Mary Siracusa swears in Commissioner Maury Blumberg for a second term. Blumberg is surrounded by his daughters, Claire and Kate, and his wife, Laurie.   Newly elected City Commissioner Brenda Taube is sworn in by Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson with her husband, John, and daughter Elle by her side.