SUNNYSIDE — Joseph Conley, the longtime chairman of Queens Community Board 2, stepped down from the post Thursday night after 23 years at the board's helm.
Conley, who has been on the board for nearly three decades, said there was no reason for his departure other than that "it's time."
"Twenty-three years as chair is a good run," he told the board at its monthly meeting Thursday, in a speech that was met with a standing round of applause from fellow members. "It's been a great honor for me, a great privilege, to be the voice of the community board."
Patrick O'Brien, the second vice chair of CB2 and head of the city services and public safety committee, was voted to succeed Conley following a discussion among board members over whether the election should be postponed until next month due to the suddenness of the change.
"This is a big surprise to everyone, myself included, and boy are those big shoes to fill," O'Brien said of Conley. "People really don’t know the extent of his time and commitment."
Conley will continue to serve as a regular member of CB2 and will work with O'Brien as he transitions into the new leadership role.
"It'll be a lot of work, but it's work worth doing," O'Brien said.
In his more than two decades of service, Conley said standout accomplishments of CB2 under his reign include advocating for a shelter for veterans on Borden Avenue in Long Island City, working with the city the start a model syringe exchange program and the new parks in Hunters Point.
"I take away a great sense of pride and accomplishment of everything we’ve worked on over the years," he said. "We have made a difference."
