Whitesboro Mayor resigns, Village Trustee appointed as new Mayor

There are mixed emotions of the resignation of Brenda Gilberti, the now former Mayor of the Village of Whitesboro.

Newly appointed Mayor Bob Friedlander says he was surprised when he took office Wednesday afternoon.

For others, not so much.

"I think it's good Brenda resigned," says Bob Misiaszek, a long time Whitesboro resident.

Once a part of the village's Planning Board, Misiaszek says he isn't surprised Brenda Gilberti stepped down.

But, he says he isn't happy with the newly appointed mayor.

"I would rather see a new election, a special election for mayor. I wouldn't want to see someone being appointed like that," says Misiaszek.

 According to new Mayor Friedlander, something had to be done.

"In the best interest of the village someone had to hold position of mayor in the event someone needs to make an important decision," says Mayor Friedlander.

If the mayor of this village resigns, the deputy mayor automatically becomes the interim mayor.

However, the deputy mayor is away on vacation.

Brenda Gilberti says she resigned because there was a lack of support from village board members.

She also said there were financial decisions that were irresponsible.

"I think she said it was irresponsible because again she worked for two years not spending hardly anything extra. No major purchases. The current board of trustees all agreed to purchase a garbage truck," explains Mayor Friedlander.

The village would have its own garbage pickup, which according to Mayor Friedlander would save over a quarter of a million dollars over a five year period.

John Duda, a member on the village planning board says you can't expect people to all agree.

"That's the reason why you have a trustee board. Without that one person in charge can become a dictator," says Duda.

Mayor Friedlander will remain mayor until April 2nd when the board of trustees will decide whether to keep Friedlander in the job, or appoint another trustee member.