City Of Rye Appoints New Council Members

The City of Rye held its first City Council meeting with some fresh new faces. Newly Elected Mayor Sack and his city council have selected two new council members to fill the vacancies that were left from him and Catherine Parker who is now on the County Board of Legislators.

Two new council members who have been appointed by Mayor Joe Sack and the City Council are Richard Mecca (R) and Richard Slack (who is not affiliated with any political party).

Mecca, is a Rye resident since 1980, is an electrician who owned Mecca Electric in Rye for years and currently is an Electrical Inspector for the City of White Plains.  He serves on the Rye Flood Advisory Committee and has served previously on the Rye Planning Commission, the Rye Board of Architectural Review, and Mayor Otis’ Task Force on Master Planning. Mecca is also a long-time member of the Rye Fire Department, and has served as a Captain in the Patrol Company. Mecca and his wife have raised two children who attended Rye City Schools.

Mayor Joe Sack said,” Richard Mecca is a very thoughtful person who has been actively involved in public life in Rye for over 30 years. On a Council of attorneys and finance professionals, Mecca will bring a different and welcome perspective. The City will benefit greatly from his vast experience and close ties to the community.”

Richard Slack has been a Rye resident since 1996, he is an attorney and partner with the firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York City. His experience includes advising boards of directors and representing major companies. He is a former Rye Little League coach. His wife is Rye City School Board President, Laura Slack. All of their three children have attended Rye City Schools.

Mayor Sack said,” Richard Slack has a keen mind and a strong sense of right and wrong. Personally, I will always remember that Richard Slack spoke out against the City’s mishandling of the Rye TV affair. These are exactly the qualities that we need on the Council.”

Why does Mayor Sack feel these appointments are best suited for the City of Rye?

“We were looking for the folks who we felt could best serve as part of the Council team, regardless of political party affiliation. Our community wants and deserves problem solvers and consensus builders, not political partisans, and we once again feel fortunate to have put together the right mix of people.”

The appointments of Mecca and Slack will run until the end of the year. A special election will be held on November to determine who will serve the remaining year of the unexpired Council Terms.