Pirate's Booty Founder Declares Himself Mayor of Sea Cliff, NY

Uncontested Election Becomes Contentious

• 🎯 The mayoral election in Sea Cliff, a village of about 5,000 people in Nassau County, was expected to be uncontested.
• ⚡ However, the founder of Pirates Booty snacks, Robert Erlick, has declared himself mayor, challenging the current process.

Erlick's Claim to Mayoralty

• 💡 Erlick claims he can legally form a new village and assume the role of mayor without an election, citing a little-known New York State law called the Citizens Empowerment Act.
• 🛠️ He entered village hall, declared himself mayor, and stated the entire village staff was fired, creating a new entity called the incorporated village of Seaccliffe residence.
• 🗣️ Erlick is encouraging voters to write in his name on the ballot and has created his own ballot with options for mayor and a measure for incorporating Sea Cliff into his newly formed village.

Current Mayor's Response and Voter's Role

• ⚠️ Current Mayor Elena Vilifane expressed astonishment, noting Erlick could have officially filed as a candidate but failed to do so.
• 🗳️ Vilifane stated that the only way Erlick can be on the ballot is if residents write his name in, emphasizing that the decision rests with the 5,000 residents of the village.
• 📢 The situation prompted a visit from Nassau County police, highlighting the unusual nature of the mayoral race.
• ✅ The election is described as free and open, with residents encouraged to vote for their preferred candidate.