SUNNYSIDE — The head of Queens Community Board 2 announced Thursday night that he'll be stepping down from the post, and a new chairperson will be elected at the board's monthly meeting in June.
Pat O'Brien, a longtime board member who took over the chairman position in December of 2014, said he's giving up the post because it's too time-consuming and because he wants to focus on his family and full-time job.
"The commitment in time is incredible, and as many of you know I have my own business, I have my own family," O'Brien, an attorney, told his fellow board members.
"I'm kind of an all-in guy — if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it as well and as deeply as I can," O'Brien said. "There are 24 hours in a day. That's not enough time to do all the things that I want to do, or should do to the standard that I expect of myself."
The board will take nominations for a new chairperson and hold an election at its regular monthly meeting next month.
"I kind of timed my departure with the idea in mind that because we have a slower schedule in the summer time, it would be an easier transition to a new chair," O'Brien said.
O'Brien said he will remain on the community board as a regular board member.
This is the second time in two years that CB2 will get a new chairperson. O'Brien was elected to the post after Joe Conley stepped down after holding the position for 23 years.
Like all community board positions — with the exception of district managers — board chairs are volunteers, and aren't paid for their time.
"We have done great work," O'Brien said at Thursday's meeting, where he got a standing ovation from the other board members.
"We certainly have a lot more to accomplish — a lot of development, a lot of everything that requires careful, in-depth attention," he said. "I'm confident that whoever follows will do that."
